Volvo EX60 to Elevate Electric Vehicle Battery Technology
Volvo is on the cusp of significantly advancing its electric vehicle battery capabilities with the introduction of the EX60 electric SUV. This upcoming model, expected to launch in 2025, will feature innovative battery options, marking a pivotal moment in Volvo's electrification journey. The EX60's strategy includes offering different battery chemistries and adopting prismatic cell technology, which is poised to deliver enhanced performance, cost-efficiency, and structural benefits.
The Volvo EX60, a mid-size electric SUV, is scheduled for release in the U.S. and other international markets next year. According to Anders Bell, Volvo's Chief Technology Officer, the vehicle will provide battery choices featuring two distinct chemical compositions. While specific details were not fully disclosed, Bell strongly indicated that lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are a definite possibility for the next-generation SPA3 platform underpinning the EX60.
Volvo's primary battery providers include China's CATL and Korea's LG Energy Solution. CATL produces both LFP and nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries, whereas LGES primarily focuses on high-nickel cells. The Volvo EX30, for example, already offers two battery variants in Europe: a 51-kilowatt-hour LFP pack and a 69-kWh NMC option, with only the latter currently available in the U.S. It is anticipated that the EX60 will adopt a similar dual-chemistry approach.
A notable innovation for the EX60 is the transition to prismatic cells. Bell elaborated that standardizing on a large prismatic cell form factor allows for greater flexibility in integrating various battery chemistries. Prismatic cells, which are gaining traction in the Western automotive industry after being widely adopted in China, are also being embraced by other major manufacturers. Volkswagen, for instance, plans to implement prismatic cells in its more affordable EVs starting next year. General Motors will also utilize large-format prismatic batteries in its full-size SUVs and trucks from 2028, incorporating lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) batteries.
The advantages of prismatic cells extend beyond just chemical versatility. Bell highlighted that these cells contribute to cost and weight reductions while simultaneously increasing the vehicle's structural rigidity. Furthermore, the EX60 will employ a cell-to-body integration approach, meaning the battery pack will serve as an integral structural component of the SPA3 platform rather than being a separate, bolted-on addition. This design simplifies battery integration and allows for greater energy density within the vehicle.
In addition to advanced battery technology, the EX60 will boast other significant upgrades. These include Nvidia's Drive Thor computer, capable of an astounding 1,000 trillion operations per second, enhancing its computational power for various vehicle functions. The SUV will also feature Volvo's third-generation drive units, achieving an impressive 93% efficiency, as revealed during the automaker's Capital Markets Day in Sweden last year.
Manufactured at Volvo's main plant in Gothenburg, Sweden, the EX60 is set to compete with established electric SUVs such as the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3, and the new electric Mercedes GLC. This array of features and strategic advancements positions the Volvo EX60 as potentially the most crucial electric vehicle in the brand's history, poised to redefine its standing in the competitive EV market by offering advanced battery solutions and cutting-edge technology.