Guide to Volvo EVs

On the morning of April 14th 1927, the first Volvo vehicle - an OV4, affectionately nicknamed “Jakob” - rolled off the production line at the company’s very first factory building in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Volvo comes from the Latin verb volvere, meaning "to roll," a name originally intended for ball bearings; however, it eventually found its place on automobiles. The name Volvo cleverly contains no R or S, making it easy to pronounce in most places around the world and easy to write with a minimal risk of spelling errors.

The logo, a circle with an arrow pointing diagonally upwards to the right, comes from the ancient chemical symbol for iron, creating associations with the Swedish iron industry, its steel and most importantly, strength. 

Since Volvo’s first car, the company has been on a roll. In 1959, the Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin invented and patented the modern three-point seatbelt – Volvo then made the generous choice to waive the patent to ensure all manufacturers could use it in their vehicles and save lives. After the invention of the seatbelt, Volvo continued to advance safety and is credited with a number of additional inventions, including the creation of the rear-facing child seat, the booster cushion and curtain airbags, to name a few. 

Currently, Volvo are taking huge strides in the race for electrification, committing to 100% EVs by 2030 and focusing on safe, efficient and practical family cars.

EX60

An exceptional family SUV, the Volvo EX60 is spacious, practical and boasts an impressive electric range, while keeping with the stylishly simplistic Scandinavian design language of the rest of the Volvo line.

With the longest range of any Volvo, the EX60 grants you freedom to explore – 503 miles of WLTP range and charging from 10-80% in just 19 minutes. 

Within the calm and focused interior, the 15.04-inch touchscreen centre display features integrated Google Maps for seamless navigation, including the ability to find suitable charging stations along your route.

As with any Volvo, safety is at the forefront, with both preventative and protective safety features, such as hazard awareness and a carefully engineered chassis, as well as driver and parking assistance features.

EC40

Boldly styled, packed with smart tech, and the first model to be designed as purely electric, the Volvo EC40 is a safe and sophisticated crossover with all the benefits of an SUV, getting up to 358 miles of WLTP range. 

The EC40 and the EX40 have a similar feel behind the wheel, with a comfortable, high seating position allowing for a generous range of adjustment, including adjustable lumbar support. The nine-inch portrait infotainment system is powered by Google, including native Google Maps support with EV routing and charging station locators.

Despite similarities to the EX40 underneath, the sloping coupe-style roofline adds a touch of style to the EX40, along with the sportier side skirts and bumpers, as well as a small boot lid spoiler. 

EX30

The smallest SUV in the range, the Volvo EX30 has beautifully balanced proportions and takes the spot as Volvo’s entry-level electric SUV – however, it undercuts plenty of its established rivals with a premium feel.

With strong lines and a confident stance, the EX30 doesn’t skimp on performance, offering up 279 WLTP miles to a charge on the extended-range edition and smashing 0-62 in just 3.6 seconds. 

The EX30 is excellent around town, where its soft suspension absorbs potholes and speedbumps, and with the bonus of one-pedal driving, the car requires little effort during rush hour traffic. 

EX40

The Volvo EX40 is the electrified descendant of the petrol-powered XC40 – it’s a stylish, practical and reliable choice for a family car.

A tall roofline and plenty of legroom make the EX40 comfortable for everyone, and with the bonus of a 461-litre boot and a front boot for cable storage, it has the practicality to back up that comfort.

Once again, the compact nature of this SUV gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to town driving. A high seating position gives you great visibility, and the power of the electric motor lets you move between traffic quickly. 

With a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and extremely high scores for both adult and child occupants, the EX40 is a great choice if you are concerned about safety. Additional safety features include air purification technology, collision avoidance and a 360-degree traffic view, allowing you to park confidently.

^{The 5 star safety rating is carried over from the XC40 Recharge, the EX40's previous name. The 5-star result is based on the 2018 testing of the regular petrol and diesel XC40.}

ES90

The Volvo ES90 is an eye-catching, premium electric saloon, with aerodynamic lines, commanding wheels and the clean, tidy Scandi-modernist aesthetic that sets it apart from the others.

With an electric range of up to 432 miles (WLTP) and a rapid recharging time of 22 minutes from 10-80%, the ES90 makes the most of its EV status, offering an extremely competitive set of stats.

With comfort and ease at the forefront of the experience, the car cruises effortlessly while its active air suspension soaks up road bumps, and the plush cabin’s supportive seating makes long journeys tranquil.

_{The ES90 shares its platform and safety architecture with the EX90, which was rated 5 stars, and has passed Volvo's rigorous real-world scenario crash tests; however, it is yet to be independently assessed.}

EX90

The Volvo EX90 is a luxury, 7-seat family SUV, engineered for complete comfort. Clean lines, Scandinavian elegance, discreet sensors and the iconic Volvo headlights make up an elegant, practical and contemporary car, with up to 376 miles of WLTP range.

With a 14.5-inch centre display and a 9-inch driver display, all the information you need is kept exactly where you want it, when you want it. A heads-up display presents the vital driver information such as your speed, speed limits and next navigation direction in your direct eyeline, so you don’t have to lose focus or take your eyes off the road.

An air purifier with remote cabin pre-cleaning, multizone climate controls, an electrochromic panoramic roof and even a wireless phone charger add luxurious, modern touches to the cabin, while making your life safer and easier.

As a bonus, the cabin is engineered for a tranquil commute, with state-of-the-art soundproofing and extensive design efforts to minimise noise and vibrations. If you want to take it a step further, there’s the option for laminated windows too.

With hundreds of new Volvo cars in stock across our nationwide network of Volvo dealerships, your next Volvo is at Vertu.

We can support you with Volvo service plans and Volvo servicing & MOTs, so you and your Volvo can keep driving for many miles to come.

Pop into your local Vertu Volvo dealership and explore our selection of high-quality cars, chat to our friendly staff, or take a test drive.