Volvo is making big strides in the electric vehicle market with its upcoming EX60 mid-size electric SUV. The company’s Chief Technology Officer, Anders Bell, revealed that the EX60 will be equipped with cutting-edge battery technology, including options for two different battery chemistries. While Bell did not confirm the exact battery chemistry, he hinted at the possibility of using lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries on the next-generation SPA3 platform.
Volvo’s major battery suppliers, CATL from China and LG Energy Solution from Korea, will play a crucial role in providing the advanced battery technology for the EX60. CATL manufactures both LFP and traditional nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries, while LG Energy Solution focuses on high-nickel cells.
The Volvo EX30, already available in Europe, offers two battery options – a 51-kilowatt-hour LFP pack and a 69-kWh NMC variant. It is speculated that the EX60 may follow a similar strategy, with the addition of prismatic cells. Bell mentioned that Volvo has standardized the use of large prismatic cells, allowing flexibility in accommodating different battery chemistries.
Prismatic cells, popular in China, are now gaining traction in the West. Volkswagen and General Motors are also planning to incorporate large-format prismatic batteries in their upcoming electric vehicles. Volvo’s shift to prismatic cells will not only result in cost and weight savings but also contribute to a stiffer body structure.
The Volvo EX60 will feature Nvidia’s Drive Thor computer, capable of 1,000 trillion operations per second, and the third generation of Volvo’s efficient drive units. Scheduled to be manufactured in Gothenburg, Sweden, the EX60 is expected to compete with popular electric SUVs like the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3, and Mercedes GLC.
With a cell-to-body approach and structural integration of the battery into the SPA3 platform, Volvo aims to simplify the battery system and maximize energy storage. The EX60 is set to be Volvo’s most significant electric vehicle yet, offering a blend of advanced technology, performance, and sustainability.
For more information and updates on Volvo’s electric vehicles, stay tuned to InsideEVs.