- New patent filings reveal a plug-in hybrid version of the Volvo EM90 minivan.
- The EM90 is sold in other markets as an all-electric vehicle.
- Volvo intends to build a new hybrid in South Carolina before the end of the decade.
A few weeks ago, Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson said that he believes the entire auto industry will go electric within the next 10 years. Whether that is an accurate prediction or not remains to be seen, but in the meantime, Volvo is preparing to build a new plug-in hybrid vehicle in South Carolina by the end of the decade, and according to patent documents Car and Driver found at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, that new PHEV may be a minivan, albeit not one that's all-new.
Volvo EM90 Looks Ready To Adopt A Gas Engine
United States Patent and Trademark Office
The imagery in those patent documents reveals a depiction of the Volvo EM90, a reskinned Zeekr 009 all-electric minivan with 459 miles of range (on the CLTC test). It's sold in China and produces 268 horsepower from a single rear-mounted electric motor, with loads of screens and speakers for the six occupants it can accommodate. What's different about the vehicle in the patent images is that an additional cutout appears in the right rear fender, which is on the opposite side of the EM90 EV's charging port. This appears to indicate a fuel filler door for a gas engine.
Temper Expectations - America Prefers SUVs
The appearance of these images at the USPTO could be a hint that a plug-in hybrid version of this luxurious minivan is coming to our shores, but it's worth keeping in mind that the American market for highbrow minivans is vastly smaller than that for SUVs and crossovers, and given how tumultuous things have been for the Swedish brand of late (with changes at the helm of the design department and also the entire company), we're skeptical that Volvo would take a gamble on a relatively low-volume product. Then again, with Mercedes-Benz planning to bring a luxurious midsize minivan inspired by the Vision V concept to America in 2026, perhaps there's enough juice to justify the squeeze. Time will tell, and once we have something official, we'll report back.
