Volvo Launches First-ever, $114,000 All-electric Minivan

Volvo launched its first-ever minivan earlier this week. Dubbed the EM90, that is an electrical (“E”) minivan (or “MPV,” for the “M”) designed to sit down on the prime of the Swedish model’s mannequin lineup in China with a sophisticated, Google-based infotainment system, luxurious inside appointments, and a staggering $114,000 price ticket.

“The EM90 demonstrates our sturdy talents to innovate and meet particular market calls for,” reads the official copy from Volvo’s press workforce. “The multi-purpose car (MPV) phase has gained appreciable reputation lately, particularly in lots of elements of Asia. This is likely one of the major the explanation why the EM90 is coming first to China, the world’s largest automotive market.”

Minivans in China aren’t like minivans within the US. As an alternative of enormous household trucksters suffering from juice bins and desiccated French fries, minivans (or “MPVs,” to make use of the international time period) are used as high-end executive transport, with heated/cooled massaging and energy reclining seats frequent choices for well-heeled Chinese language consumers who’re driving in, fairly than driving their vans. That’s why the EM90’s inside appointments appear to have extra in frequent with a non-public jet than the minivans that used to shuttle you and me to soccer apply once we had been children.

Volvo, for its half, appears desperate to keep away from seeming prefer it’s constructed this premium-priced luxurious hauler primarily for the Chinese language market, slipping in references to the EM90 as a people-mover into their PR. Even there, nonetheless, they’re fast to reiterate the chief cruise missile angle. “When the automotive isn’t used for household journeys,” reads the discharge, “it doubles as government enterprise transport that provides the final word comfy inside surroundings for conferences and enterprise calls. Briefly, for purchasers on the lookout for security and a spacious, versatile, and cozy premium expertise on the transfer, the EM90 is an thrilling new choice for them.”

Since Volvo themselves don’t appear capable of promote this as something lower than an expensive workplace extension, let’s check out that inside and see for ourselves what life is like within the EM90.

“With the EM90, we’re taking Volvo Vehicles’ heritage and management in security into the thrilling new electrical MPV phase,” says Jim Rowan, chief government at Volvo Vehicles. “It permits us to faucet new market demand we’ve not explored earlier than and broadens the enchantment of the Volvo model to extra folks.”

Whereas, admittedly, a Volvo-branded minivan that promised conventional ranges of Volvo security would have been a welcome addition to our private fleet of automobiles a couple of years again, I’d want the value to creep again down under $60K earlier than I might even actually contemplate it — however that’s simply me, and perhaps we’ll get a stripped-down model within the US considerably earlier than later.

The primary-ever Volvo MPV guarantees 450 miles (738 km) of electrical vary on the CTLC cycle, using the same battery as the upcoming EX90 SUV.

 
Supply | Pictures: Volvo Vehicles.