Summary
- New electric crossover EX60 to launch in 2026 as an alternative to Volvo XC60
- Will use next-generation SPA3 platform with mega casting for weight savings
- Platform will share software systems and electrical architecture with SPA2 platform
- SPA3 platform will offer scalability for EVs ranging from subcompacts to full-size vehicles
- Volvo aims to have 90-100% of sales made up of EVs and plug-in hybrids by 2030, keeping some gas-powered cars
Article
Volvo announced plans to launch the electric EX60 crossover in 2026 as an alternative to the popular XC60 compact crossover. The new electric vehicle will be built on the next-generation SPA3 platform, which will incorporate mega casting technology to save weight and improve production efficiencies. This move comes after the introduction of the SPA2 platform in the 2025 EX90 electric midsize SUV, which is set to begin U.S. deliveries later this year.
The SPA3 platform is expected to debut in the EX60 and will share software systems and electrical architecture with the SPA2 platform. Volvo refers to this shared technology as the Volvo Cars Superset technology stack. The SPA3 platform will be highly scalable, capable of supporting a range of EVs from subcompacts to full-size vehicles. Mega casting will be introduced with the new platform, a production process that Volvo plans to implement at its plant in Torslanda, Sweden, where the XC60 is currently built.
Mega casting involves using large single castings for certain body components, reducing weight and improving range and efficiency. It also allows for better use of interior space and improved production efficiencies. The EX60 is one of five new EVs that Volvo has in the works, including an ES90 sedan that will serve as an electric alternative to the S90 and is expected to use the SPA2 platform. Volvo has adjusted its previous plan to become a fully electric and PHEV brand by 2030, now aiming to have 90-100% of its sales made up of EVs and plug-in hybrids by 2030.
Despite the introduction of the EX60, the XC60 is expected to remain on sale alongside its electric alternative, similar to the coexistence of the XC90 and EX90 models. Volvo’s chief commercial officer and deputy CEO, Björn Annwall, expressed excitement about the forthcoming EX60 and the impact it will have on electrification, noting that the XC60 is a highly anticipated model for a full electric option. The quick gestation of the SPA3 platform is due to its shared technology with the SPA2 platform, facilitating a smooth transition to the new platform for future electric vehicles.
Overall, Volvo’s push towards electrification and sustainable mobility is evident in its upcoming EV lineup and platform developments. The introduction of the EX60 and the SPA3 platform represent significant steps in Volvo’s commitment to reducing emissions and embracing electric mobility. With plans for more electric vehicles in the works and a revised target for EV and PHEV sales by 2030, Volvo is positioning itself as a key player in the shift towards a more sustainable automotive industry.
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