Volvo EX60 Ready to Launch with a Fantastic 810 Km Range

JAKARTA - The problem of "range anxiety" or concerns about running out of battery power in the middle of the road seems to be a thing of the past. Swedish automotive manufacturer Volvo Cars has just given a tantalizing glimpse of their latest mid-range electric SUV, the Volvo EX60, which is scheduled to launch later this month or on January 21.

No kidding, Volvo claims the EX60 can travel up to 810 kilometers on a full charge. This figure far exceeds the average mid-range electric SUV on the market today, which usually stops at the 600-kilometer mark.

Although the figure of 810 km sounds incredible, Volvo is not the only player in that figure. In the Chinese market, competitors such as the Tesla Model Y (Long Range) and Zeekr 7X (which is also under the umbrella of Geely, Volvo's parent company) have already advertised ranges above 800 km.

Volvo's bold move is said to entice consumers who have been hesitant to switch to electric vehicles (EV). The problem of limited charging infrastructure and the fear of breakdowns on long journeys often make buyers prefer hybrid cars.

"We want to see the challenges customers face in owning and using electric vehicles. Range anxiety is one of the main things we want to overcome," said Akhil Krishnan, Head of the Volvo EX60 Program, as quoted by Reuters, Friday, January 9,

In addition to the long distance, the Volvo EX60 is also equipped with impressive charging technology. In optimal conditions, it only takes about 10 minutes to charge to increase the range to 340 kilometers. This allows drivers to make a short charge while taking a break without having to wait for hours.

The EX60 is positioned as the successor to the all-electric version of the Volvo XC60 or the gasoline-powered model that has been Volvo's best-selling car globally. Interestingly, the EX60 will be the first model built on Volvo's latest dedicated electric platform.

The launch of the EX60 is a crucial moment for Volvo. Previously, they had faced several obstacles to the EX30 and EX90 models, ranging from software problems, supply chain constraints, to import tariff issues.

In fact, Volvo has just announced a recall plan for the EX30 model (Single Motor Extended Range & Twin Motor Performance) for the 2024-2026 production year due to a small risk of overheating the battery.