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Volvo’s EX90 Electric SUV Set to Launch in South Africa by Mid-2025
The highly anticipated Volvo EX90, the company’s flagship luxury electric SUV, is set to make its debut in South Africa during the first half of 2025.
BMW’s Reign and Volvo’s Rapid Ascendancy
For several years, BMW has dominated the battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales landscape, consistently holding a significant portion of the market share since introducing the i3 in 2015. The i3 not only led BEV sales for several years but was soon followed by successful models like the iX3 and MINI Cooper SE, which also made impressive appearances on sales charts. Although BMW remains competitive—having placed second with its iX3 model in 2024—Volvo Cars is now establishing itself as a serious contender.
The Current State of BEV Sales in South Africa
The BEV market in South Africa remains relatively small; as of 2024, only 0.24% of all vehicle sales were electric. With total vehicle sales reaching 515,712 units that year, merely 1,257 were battery-electric vehicles—a rather disappointing figure compared to other global markets. Since 2018, just over 3,200 BEVs have been sold in this region due to limited model availability and excessive import duties impacting affordability.
Engaging Consumers with More Electric Options
In response to these challenges and opportunities within this niche market segment over recent years, Volvo has introduced an expanding range of electric models including their new EX30 compact SUV launched in early 2024. This specific model recorded remarkable success by setting a new benchmark for single-model annual sales with approximately 406 units sold, claiming 32.3% of total BEV transactions that year. By comparison, BMW’s iX3 trailed behind with 221 units (17.6%), while another Volvo variant—the XC40—rounded out the top three at 103 units (8.2%). To put this achievement into perspective: just two years ago (in 2022), entire yearly registrations for BEVs barely topped 502 across South Africa.
The success story surrounding Olympus shows how strategically priced and high-quality models can thrive even within smaller markets; notably prior helming positions included 150 XC40s sold previously ranking first place amongst all BEVs back in 2023.
The Arrival of Safety Innovations: Introducing EX90
This momentum leads us back to news that bolsters consumer confidence: Volvo Cars has confirmed that their groundbreaking electric SUV—the EX90—is indeed making its way into South African showrooms soon! Designed explicitly prioritizing safety measures above all else featuring what they term an ‘invisible safety shield’, consisting predominantly of state-of-the-art sensor technology utilizing cameras alongside radar systems coupled through advanced computerized architecture powered together through NVIDIA DRIVE tech contributing towards ensuring occupant safety independent from driver input during operation processes.
Image credit: Volvo Cars.
![](https://cleantechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/305699VolvoEX90-scaled.jpg’ alt=” width=2560 height=1920/>Volvo EX90 Image Source: Volvo</p><p>A New Chapter for Electric SUVs at Volvo</p><p>Built atop their innovative SPA II platform reinforces commitment toward electrification & continued investment throughout stakeholders aligning product offerings aligned towards sustainability goals fostering demand from environmentally-conscious consumers alike while continuing leveraging known brand reputation engaged deeply within auto industry context consolidating growth strategies promising exciting developments ahead!</p><p>Unleashing Power: The Volvo EX90’s Impressive Performance</p><p>The Volvo EX90, engineered as a Twin Motor Performance vehicle, stands out with its <a target="_blank" href="https://tech-news.info/revolutionary-charger-unveiled-features-eye-catching-display-and-innovative-vertical-hanging-ports/" title="Revolutionary Charger Unveiled: Features Eye-Catching Display and Innovative Vertical Hanging Ports!">remarkable output</a> of 380 kW and a staggering torque of 910 N.m. This power translates into an exhilarating performance, enabling the SUV to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Such acceleration guarantees not only swift travel but also a smooth and sophisticated driving experience.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-347493 size-full" src="https://cleantechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EX90Lidarintegratedintotheroofline-scaled.jpg” alt=”” width=”2560″ height=”1439″/></p><p>Innovative Lidar Technology</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-347494 size-full" src="https://cleantechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VolvoCarsRechargewithLuminarsIrisLiDARlanechange.jpg” alt=”” width=”926″ height=”357″/></p><p>The integration of Lidar technology into the roofline exemplifies Volvo’s commitment to <a target="_blank" href="https://tech-news.info/revolutionizing-vehicle-design-how-tata-motors-stays-ahead-with-high-tech-innovations/" title="Revolutionizing Vehicle Design: How Tata Motors Stays Ahead with High-Tech Innovations">advanced safety features</a>. The image illustrates how this cutting-edge sensor enhances the vehicle’s capabilities in real-time situational awareness.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-347495 size-full" src="https://cleantechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VolvoEX90Lidar-scaled.jpg” alt=”” width=”2560″/></p><p>Luxury Meets Practicality</p><p>Felipe Yagi, the Head of Marketing & Communications at Volvo Car South Africa, expressed his enthusiasm about the EX90’s potential appeal for families seeking both space and luxury without sacrificing electric mobility. “The international success of the EX90 is evident,” remarked Yagi, highlighting its debut on local roads as a significant moment for eco-conscious consumers looking for premium alternatives free from emissions.</p><p>Exceptional Range and Charging Efficiency</p><p>The EX90 showcases an impressive urban range of up to 751 km on a single charge, while its combined cycle range is noted at an impressive 604 km. Its robust 111 kWh battery can be recharged rapidly; achieving between 10% to 80% charge within just half an hour using a high-capacity DC fast charger rated at 250 kW. This feature minimizes downtime during longer journeys—a crucial factor for drivers planning extended trips across South Africa’s expanding network of rapid charging stations.</p><p>A Commitment to Electrification</p><p>This model aligns with Volvo’s broader commitment towards electrification—offering various options including Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), and mild hybrids across their South African lineup aiming at diverse consumer preferences. By the year 2030, Volvo plans that BEVs along with PHEV sales will comprise up to nearly all global sales figures (between 90%-100%). Details regarding pricing and specifications for South Africa are expected ahead of its highly anticipated launch later this year.</p><p>SUV Popularity in South Africa</p><p>Analyzing current trends among top-selling vehicles in South Africa reveals SUVs dominantly lead sales charts—with names like the Volvo EX30 and BMW iX3 frequently making appearances among favorites alongside models such as the XC40. These compact SUVs have been particularly favored by local drivers; entry prices often begin around R800,000 while some larger models breach R1 million easily—with options such as BMW’s iX starting at over R1.75 million marking itself well within competitive ranges.</p><p><img decoding="async" src="image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==" loading=)
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