Volvo XC60 to go EV for next generation due around 2024
It’s official: Volvo’s next generation XC60 mid-sized SUV will be offered and as electric vehicle and will likely be EV only.
In announcing a new joint venture with battery manufacturer Northvolt, the Swedish car maker also confirmed its popular XC60 would switch to electricity.
Having recently ditched diesel engines in Australia and announced it hoped to only be selling EVs by 2030 the company has taken the first big step by confirming its top selling vehicle would only be produced with electric motors from its next generation, which is due around 2024 (the current XC60 went on sale in 2017).
“The first car to feature battery cells developed through the joint venture will be the electric successor to Volvo Cars’ best-selling XC60 model,” the company said in the press release announcing the Northvolt joint venture.
While there’s room for interpretation, describing the XC60 replacement as an “electric successor” strongly suggests there will be no ICE anywhere near it. Currently the XC60 is offered as a plug-in hybrid but not as an EV.
“By working with Northvolt we will secure a supply of high-quality, more sustainable battery cells for our pure electric cars,” said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive at Volvo.
“Working closely with Northvolt will also allow us to strengthen our in-house development capabilities.”
The imminent move to ditch ICE drivetrains on a big volume model is significant but perhaps predictable given the boom in EVs.
Last year Tesla sold about 3500 Model 3s in Australia, which meant it outsold the cars it most obviously competes with, the BMW 3-Series (3406 sales for 2020) and Mercedes-Benz C-Class (3378). Between them they once dominated the mid-sized sedan class in Australia, and it’s difficult to imagine either foreseeing an EV upstart overtaking them. Clearly buyers are happy to switch to EV.
Tesla also recently claimed its Model 3 was the top-selling premium sedan in the world.
In Australia the XC60 is outsold by the smaller XC40 – which will soon have the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric on the road in Australia – but it’s still a significant contributor to Volvo’s local success and provides an alternative to the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC in the luxury end of the mid-sized SUV market.
Northvolt claims to be a leader in sustainable battery development, something in line with the brand image of Volvo and its premium EV brand Polestar, which launches in Australia within months.
Polestar will kick off with the Polestar 2 later this year followed by the recently-teased Polestar 3 in 2022.
“Volvo Cars and Polestar are industry leaders in the transition to electrification and perfect partners on the journey ahead as we aim to develop and produce the world’s most sustainable battery cells,” said Peter Carlsson, Northvolt co-founder and CEO.
Next week Volvo will outline more details regarding its EV future in its “Volvo Cars Tech Moment” event scheduled for June 30. We’ll bring you all the details once they’re announced.
