We saw two of the craziest electric Volvos of the moment: between luxury and luxury

Volvo has opened “Volvo World” in its hometown of Gothenburg. A large building that includes, among other things, a museum and a showroom, in which the brand had placed two electric cars for our visit that we had never encountered before: the EM90, a large luxury car, and the FH. Aero Electric, the flagship of the Volvo Trucks range. Here is our opinion.

Along with the crash test demonstration and a visit to the historic factory, which is starting “mega-casting” to make its next electric car, Volvo gave us a tour of “Volvo World”, a huge building in Gothenburg. , the brand’s hometown (now owned by the Chinese Geely group).

Inside this 22,000 m² building, you can find restaurants, meeting rooms, a concert hall, but above all 4,500 m² museum and delivery area. Finally, the brand presented its latest electric models. EX30 and EX90, of course, but also two surprises: EM90 and even heavier, FH Aero Electric!

EM90, luxury according to Volvo (and China)

Let’s start with the EM90. This 100% electric car, based on the Zeekr 009 (a Chinese brand, also owned by Geely), aims to be the pinnacle of Scandinavian luxury … while being in tune with Chinese tastes.

Hence the choice of van, a very fashionable body in China. The dimensions are large, with a length of 5.21 m and a width of 2.02 m. The EX90, next to it, looked like a weak one!

In terms of the engine, the Volvo EM90 can count on a 200 kW (283 hp) electric motor, enough to take it from 0 to 100 km / h in 8.3 s. Nothing more, as the machine still weighs more than 2.7 tons. The battery is (partly) to blame, as its capacity of 116 kWh must be heavy. CLTC range: 738 km, or about 650 km on the more realistic European WLTP cycle.

The battery is only part of the weight, because the EM90 wants to personalize the “living room on wheels” image. In the second row, two armchairs suitable for business class. 15.6 inch ceiling mounted screen and high quality sound system Bowers & Wilkins and 21 speakers complete the experience. Unfortunately, the car was closed, and I could not experience this luxury.

Neither should you, as Volvo has no intention of selling the EM90 in Europe. It is available in China for a low price of 818,000 yuan, or around 106,000 euros.

FH Aero Electric, the flagship of Volvo Trucks

If the general public knows Volvo for its cars, we should not forget Volvo Trucks, a subsidiary dedicated to heavy goods vehicles. An independent subsidiary, a cousin of… Renault Trucks.

If Volvo Trucks is not involved in the electrification of its models as a Volvo “car” (in a sense, even if the infrastructure for charging heavy-duty vehicles is growing), the brand does not remain idle and already sells 100% electricity. models: FL, FE, FM and FH Electric.

At the top of the range is the FH Aero Electric, which was presented at “Volvo World”. Its name is quite clear: it stands out from the FH Electric “simply” with more studied aerodynamics, including a renewed cabin and the addition of a retro-camera. Finally, Volvo Trucks announces a 5% drop in consumption.

Several configurations are possible, especially for the number of wheels, but two battery sizes are available: 360 kWh, thanks to four packs, or 540 kWh, with two additional packs.

With this latest configuration, the FH Aero Electric can travel up to 300 km without plugging in. And when it has to do so, it can absorb up to 250 kW of power, enough to charge in 2h30.

Thanks to motors that can develop up to 490 kW (or 666 hp), the total weight of this electric truck can reach 44 tons, the maximum level approved in Europe (although this is subject to change). Its price is unknown.

Compared to the important electric truck, Tesla Semi, it is almost weak, as America has up to 1,000 kWh of battery, enough to travel 800 km on a single charge in real conditions. Note that Renault and Mercedes-Benz also sell 100% electric trucks.