Volvo starts production of flagship EX90 fully electric SUV

Volvo’s EX90 all-electric flagship SUV is finally rolling off production lines more than 18 months after it was revealed.

Frst customer deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2024

The first models are now heading out of the factory at Charleston, South Carolina – and the first customer deliveries are scheduled for the second half of this year.

Delayed due to software issues, the EX90 expands the brand’s portfolio with its longest-range, safest, most advanced and most premium model yet.

It’s also the first Volvo car powered by core computing technology – representing “a paradigm shift” for the company and spearheading new technology services and features.

“The fully electric Volvo EX90 is the start of a new era for Volvo Cars – a new era for safety, sustainability and human-centric technology,” said Volvo Cars chief executive Jim Rowan. “The EX90 is proudly manufactured in the USA and reflects our long-term commitment to our people in South Carolina and the broader US market.”

A fully electric accompaniment to the XC90, the EX90 is the first Volvo to be built on the Geely Group Scalable Product Architecture (SPA2), also used for the Polestar 3.

It initially launches with a twin-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, delivering 408hp and 770Nm of torque for the standard version or 517hp and 910Nm for the Performance model.

Volvo has previously said prices will start at £96,255 or £100,555 for the Performance, but lower-powered and priced models are due later.

Both launch versions are powered by a 111kWh battery, delivering up to 373 miles (600km) of driving range and able to be charged at up to 250kW, giving a 10 to 80% capacity in under 30 minutes.

Volvo will also make bi-directional charging available in the future and the EX90 will also support Plug and Charge, where available; enabling drivers to simply plug into a compatible public charger and start charging automatically, with payment taken care of as well.

The EX90 will also offer a wider ecosystem of services and features, thanks to the brand’s most advanced technology in core computing and connectivity. Volvo has said the EX90 won’t be just a new car, it will be “a highly advanced computer on wheels” – one that can also be enhanced with regular over-the-air software updates.

It’s also designed to be the safest Volvo car to date, powered by next-generation passive and active safety technology and software informed by a broad suite of sensors.

The line-up will include six- and seven-seat versions – and Volvo has said “it is a perfect companion for the entire family; full of space, versatility and comfort”.

A spokesperson added: “The EX90 is a testament to our global engineering capabilities and reaffirms our position as a leader in the ongoing technology shift in the car industry.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news - or gossip.