Volvo will launch 6 new battery EV models – 3 SUVs, 2 sedans, and one minivan – by 2026, according to a report by Reuters.

The first will be the Volvo EX90, which is expected to arrive in showrooms in Europe and other major markets in 2024. Whether will the EX90 replace the XC90 or exist as a standalone model that will be sold alongside a new generation XC90 is still unclear.

Also read: Volvo EX90 EV teased for Malaysia, end-2023 launch possible?

 The other two SUVs will be EV variants / replacements of the XC60 and XC40.

The sedans refer to the next generation Volvo S60 and Volvo S90.

Of greater interest to us in the this part of the world is news that Volvo will be launching an electric minivan to rival the Toyota Alphard, which is hugely popular in Asia.

Reuters say the EV minivan will be based on the Zeekr 009. Zeekr is Geely Holdings’ EV-only brand.

In China, the Zeekr 009 is sold with either a 116 kWh or a 140 kWh battery pack. Driving range is between 702 km and 822 km respectively, tested under the Chinese WLTP test cycle (CLTC).

Dual-motor all-wheel drive is standard, and the highlight of the Zeekr 009 is its CATL-sourced Qilin third generation cell-to-pack (CTP) battery.

CTP batteries have a much higher energy density, mainly because it makes better use of available space in the battery packaging by eliminating cell modules. Instead, battery cells are built directly into the pack without any separate modules (cell-to-module) taking up excess space.

Closer to home, Volvo Car Malaysia says it aims to have EV models contributing 75 percent of its sales, and by 2030, it will be a 100 percent EV-only brand.