By FREDA LEWIS-STEMPEL, MOTORING REPORTER
Volvo is leaving range anxiety in the dust with the release of its new electric model that can go over 500 miles on a single charge.
The Swedish car maker has teased its forthcoming EX60 SUV, which beats out almost all its rivals in a head-to-head range battle.
Only BMW's new iX3 is promising to go as far on a single charge.
For context, 500 miles is enough to drive from Paris to Amsterdam without needing to stop and top-up the EX60's battery.
Described as 'gamechanging' by the manufacturer, the all-wheel drive SUV will also be able to add 210 miles of charge in just 10 minutes when hooked up to a 400kW ultra-rapid charger.
This makes a charging stop almost as fast a refuelling a petrol car.
So far other details are slim and pictures even more scarce, but here is everything else we know about how Volvo intends to hit the range game out of the park...
Volvo's range anxiety busting electric SUV: The EX60 will be able to cover 500 miles on a single charge making it a rival beating new model
Going further than any other electric car Volvo has ever created, Volvo engineers have promised that they've 'optimised the EX60's range for real-life driving and what customers experience in their daily drive'.
To do this the EX60 uses SPA3 - Volvo Cars’ most advanced electric car architecture to date.
By unlocking maximum efficiency in key systems inside the car, the architecture has allowed engineers to achieve an electric range that matches cars powered by petrol engines.
Additionally, Volvo has integrated the battery directly into the structure of the car with cell-to-body technology and developing e-motors in-house to cut excess weight and improve energy efficiency.
The EX60 is also the first Volvo to be built with the help of mega casting.
This is where hundreds of small parts are swapped out for a single, high-precision casting which again reduces weight, improving efficiency and range.
The new cell design of the EX60’s battery carefully balances energy density and power delivery, further increasing driving range.
Volvo engineers have promised that they've 'optimised the car’s range for real-life driving and what customers experience in their daily drive'
And what about that 10-minute fast recharge stat?
Well this has been accomplished by Volvo using its newly developed 800-volt electrical system and its in-house software to together move energy into the battery more efficiently.
By also using lighter materials and less heat generation faster charging times can be supported, helping the EX60 hit that 10-minute top-up goal.
The EX60 uses SPA3, Volvo Cars’ most advanced electric car architecture to date and it has allowed engineers to achieve an electric range that matches cars powered by petrol engines
Volvo's 'Breathe Battery Technologies' have been incorporated into the EX60 to make sure the car can constantly adjust how much power the battery takes in no matter the conditions so it is always in the ideal operating zone to receive charge.
Other things to look forward to with the EX60?
Well, for starters the battery comes with a market-leading 10-year warranty.
The EV also needs less frequent servicing, helping your budget and time management.
Anything else?
We know the EX60 will fit in between the EX30 small SUV and the EX90 - the electric version of the very popular XC90 large family SUV - but other than that we will, like you, have to wait until the full reveal on 21 January to know more.
The longest range production car currently on sale in Mercedes' CLA, which for a price of around £46,000 provides up to 484 miles between charges.
