It’s interesting to hear that Volvo Cars is entering the minivan market with the EM90, marking a departure from its traditional lineup of cars and SUVs. The move to introduce an electric premium MPV aligns with the industry’s trend toward electric mobility and reflects Volvo’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Here are some key takeaways:
Design Clues: The teaser images reveal some design elements of the Volvo EM90, including a boxy body, a distinctive illuminated diagonal bar in the front grille, and unique taillight LED signatures. It also shares design similarities with the Volvo EX90 SUV.
Two-Box Design: Unlike traditional minivans with a monospace design, the EM90 adopts a two-box design, similar to the Zeekr 009, which is another electric luxury minivan owned by Geely.
Platform and Battery: The EM90 is expected to share underpinnings with the Zeekr 009, including the Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA) platform and a CATL 140-kilowatt-hour Qilin battery pack. This battery pack, using lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt chemistry, should provide an impressive range of around 511 miles based on the CLTC cycle and a powerful dual-motor setup.
Global Unveiling: Volvo plans to unveil the EM90 on November 12 and will start taking pre-orders in China. This suggests that China will be the initial market for the model, which makes sense given China’s strong demand for minivans or MPVs.
Competition: The EM90 will face competition from both electric MPVs like the Zeekr 009, Voyah Dreamer, and Denza D9, as well as internal combustion engine (ICE) models like the Toyota Alphard, Lexus LM, Buick GL8 Century, and others. Entering the Chinese market with a strong electric offering is a strategic move for Volvo, given China’s growing interest in electric vehicles.
It will be interesting to see how the Volvo EM90 is received in the market and how it competes with both traditional and electric minivans. This move reflects the changing landscape of the automotive industry as more companies transition to electric and sustainable vehicle options.
