is transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State.
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As it struggles with declining sales and an uncertain regulatory environment, Volvo is hoping to realign its fortunes by overhauling its electric vehicle plans. And a big part of that is a bet on hybrid technology — or more specifically, extended-range electric vehicles (EREV).
At a factory tour in Ridgeville, South Carolina, Volvo made a series of announcements, including an updated EX90 SUV with an Nvidia-supplied computer and the start of production on the gas-powered XC60. But chief among them was the news that the automaker would begin production of an unnamed EREV, developed specifically for the US market.
In a roundtable with reporters, Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson described it as the automaker’s “second-generation hybrid,” with all the acceleration and driving agility of a regular battery-electric vehicle, but with improved range thanks to a small gas engine.
“The technology needs to be decided,” Samuelsson said.
“The technology needs to be decided,” Samuelsson said, “but it’s more an electric car with a backup engine than the first-generation [hybrid], which is a combustion car with some batteries.”
EREVs are basically plug-in hybrids with a small internal combustion engine to recharge the EV battery for more range. They function as EVs, with the electric motors driving the wheels, and batteries that can be plugged into EV chargers. The gas generator is intended to relieve any range anxiety that some customers may have about buying a full EV.
Many automakers are turning to EREVs, as the imminent expiration of the federal EV tax credit is expected to result in a drop in EV sales. Ford, Ram, Hyundai, Nissan, and Scout Motors are just some of the companies that have said they intend to release EREVs in the near future.
Volvo is owned by Geely, a massive Chinese automaker that also produces a lot of hybrids, so the company hopes to utilize some of that internal knowledge in developing this new vehicle program.
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