The Volvo S90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid (Saloon): The Complete Electric Car Buying Guide For India

---

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

---

Electric Cars: The Basics

---

For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

---

Sign up to the newsletter

---

The Volvo S90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid Saloon

---

Sweden has created its fair share of global brands, but none with a reputation as good as Volvo Cars, when it comes to passenger safety. Volvo cars is an automotive manufacturer based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Volvo Group has a long history of success and was established in 1927. The Volvo electric vehicle (EV) current portfolio includes:

• All-electric Volvo C40 Recharge (BEV)
• All-electric Volvo EX90 (BEV)
• All-electric Volvo EX30 (BEV)
• All-electric Volvo ES90 (BEV)
• All-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge (BEV)
• Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
• Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
• Volvo XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
• Volvo S60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
• Volvo S90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
• Volvo V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
• Volvo V90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

The Volvo S90 conventional petrol and diesel saloon variants have been available since 2016. The first generation (Volvo 900 Series) were manufactured between 1990 and 1998. The S90 saloon was launched in 2016 at the International Auto Show in Detroit. The vehicle was given a facelift in 2020. As with other Volvo models, the company has also introduced the S90 as a lower emission plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Without an iota of doubt, the Volvo S90 Recharge PHEV has a compelling proposition, for both private and company-car drivers. The S90 electric vehicle (EV) has a 18.8 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed emission-free electric range up to 88 km.

Even, adjusting for real-world driving, the S90 plug-in electric car should be able to deliver close to 75 km on pure electric mode. This is above average, compared to other plug-in hybrid electric cars, which tend to deliver less than 50 zero-emission km.

Given the excellent EV range, most families and company-car drivers, can take advantage of the e-mode to lower motoring bills. Using the Volvo mid-sized saloon electric car for city and motorway driving, can achieve real financial savings.

The Volvo S90 PHEV, further strengthens its ultra-low cost motoring, with ultra-low tailpipe emissions. The automotive manufacturer claims tailpipe emissions as low as 18g CO2/km, which certainly will help reduce the local air pollution. Of course, driving on e-mode i.e. using the electric motor and onboard EV battery, will result in zero-tailpipe emissions. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and good for the wallet.

However, the Volvo plug-in electric car disappoints in terms of charging capability. The EV has an onboard charger limited to 3.6 kW and is not capable of DC charging. For the price tag and EV battery size, we would have expected DC charging capability and an onboard charger up to 7.4 kW.

The Volvo electric vehicle can be charged 0% to 100% via a dedicated EV charging station in 5 hours. We at e-zoomed recommend a ‘topping up’ approach to EV charging. This way, EV range is available to use and regular charging also improves the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Volvo offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty.

Despite the placement of the onboard EV battery, practicality has not been compromised. The S90 plug-in offers a 461 L boot and ample space for passengers. The luxurious interior has been finished to a high standard and offers sustainable materials for the cabin.

The EV also offers a generous level of standard equipment, safety features and technology. These include: google built in, 360° camera, BLIS and cross traffic alert, keyless entry and keyless start, advanced air purifier, intelligent safety assistance and more.

The all-wheel drive S90 plug-in electric saloon car combines the T8 powertrain with an electric motor. The EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds (455 hp). The top speed of the EV is 180 km/h. Decent performance for city and motorway driving. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Volvo PHEV is not available in India.

---

PROS	CONS
Very useful electric range to lower motoring costs	Cheaper PHEV options available
High quality interior with a good level of standard equipment	Not capable of DC charging
Good fuel economy	Onboard charger limited to 3.6 kW

---

The Volvo S90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid Saloon (credit: Volvo)

---

At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body Type:	Saloon
Engine:	Electric/ Petrol
Available In India:	No

---

Trims (1 Option)
Volvo S90 Recharge (Rs N/A)

---

EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 18.8 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 5 hrs)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	18g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

---

Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

---

Dimensions
Height (mm):	1446
Width (mm):	1895
Length (mm):	4963
Wheelbase (mm):	2941
Turning Circle (m):	11.4
Boot Space (L):	461

---

Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid (T8 AWD plug-in hybrid)
EV Battery Capacity:	18.8 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	88 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	17.5
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	0.9
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 5 hrs)
Top Speed:	180 km/h
0-100 km/h:	4.8 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	N/A
Horsepower (hp):	455
Torque (Nm):	400
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	4
Gross Vehicle Weight (kg):	2,590
Colours:	7
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

---

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): An Introduction

---

V2G is an innovative bidirectional technology that allows the onboard EV battery to be charged and discharged i.e. electrical energy to be exported/ discharged from the onboard EV battery to the grid via a V2G compatible EV charger. It also allows for vital informational flow (data) to the grid. In effect, the V2G technology allows an EV battery to be used as a grid-connected energy storage unit.

---

Benefits: V2G
Lower energy costs:	V2G can lower utility costs to include, lowering wholesale and retail energy costs
Improving the grid’s response ability:	V2G can improve the stability of the intra-day supply and demand needs, improving the grids ability to meet the needs of peak demand
Improving power quality:	V2G can improve power quality by controlling voltage and power factors
Increase resilience:	V2G can improve the resilience of the grid and electricity network in significantly adverse conditions
Increase use of renewable energy:	V2G enables an increase in the contribution of renewable energy to the national energy generation mix. The higher the contribution of RE, the greener the power supplied
Reduce cost of EV ownership:	V2G can reduce the cost of EV ownership by enabling EV owners to earn from exporting energy to the grid
Improves national energy security:	V2G can improve the national energy security of a country by reducing dependence on imported energy
Improve environmental impact:	V2G can improve the environmental impact of energy usage and transportation by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels

---

While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

---

Related articles

---