Volvo EM90 : Volvo’s New Plug-In Hybrid Might Not Be an SUV – Patent Hints at EM90 Minivan for US
Volvo, a brand often associated with SUVs in the American market, might be gearing up to surprise consumers with its next plug-in hybrid offering. Recent patent documents filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), discovered by Car and Driver, suggest that Volvo’s upcoming U.S.-built PHEV might not be another SUV, but rather a minivan – specifically, a plug-in hybrid version of the Volvo EM90.
EM90 Minivan: Ready for a Gas Engine?
The Volvo EM90 is currently sold in markets like China as an all-electric minivan, essentially a re-skinned Zeekr 009. This luxurious EV offers 459 miles of range (on the CLTC test cycle), produces 268 horsepower from a single rear-mounted electric motor, and boasts a tech-laden interior designed for six occupants.
The patent documents, however, show a crucial difference: an additional cutout in the right rear fender. This cutout, located on the opposite side of the EM90 EV’s charging port, strongly appears to indicate a fuel filler door for a gas engine. This suggests that Volvo is developing a plug-in hybrid variant of the EM90, adapting its existing electric platform to accommodate a combustion engine for extended range and potentially broader appeal.
Volvo has previously announced its intention to build a new plug-in hybrid vehicle in South Carolina before the end of the decade, and these patent filings could be the first concrete hint at what that vehicle will be.
Minivan in America? Tempering Expectations Amidst SUV Preference
While the appearance of these patent images at the USPTO suggests a plug-in hybrid EM90 could be headed to American shores, it’s crucial to temper expectations. The U.S. market has a significantly smaller appetite for high-end minivans compared to its overwhelming preference for SUVs and crossovers.
Given Volvo’s recent leadership changes (at both the design department and the company helm), taking a gamble on a potentially low-volume minivan product for the U.S. seems like a risky move. However, the automotive landscape is evolving. With Mercedes-Benz also reportedly planning to bring a luxurious midsize minivan (inspired by its Vision V concept) to America in 2026, there might be a burgeoning, albeit niche, market for premium minivans. This shift could potentially justify Volvo’s foray into the segment with the EM90 PHEV.
As Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson boldly predicted the entire auto industry will go electric within 10 years, this potential move towards a PHEV minivan demonstrates Volvo’s pragmatic approach to market diversification and bridging the gap during the transition to a fully electric future. Official confirmation from Volvo is awaited to clarify the EM90 PHEV’s future in the American market.
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