The Volvo S90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid Saloon: The Complete Guide For The UK

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Overview

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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.

Since then the company has had multiple owners, to include the US based, Ford Motor Company. Its current owner is a Chinese automotive behemoth, Geely Automobile, which acquired Volvo Cars in 2010. Geely also owns the automotive brands Lotus Cars and Polestar. 

Volvo Cars was one of the first mainstream OEM’s to commit to a push towards zero-emission road transportation.  In 2017, the company announced its intention to ‘electrify every car in our range’.  Volvo is not new to ‘electric propulsion’ and has already deployed a test fleet of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2010 and had launched the first plug-in hybrid diesel cars in 2012.  Volvo Cars Recharge is the sub-brand for all electric vehicles (EVs) developed by the automotive company.  

The automotive manufacturer has an ambition to achieve 50% sales from pure electric cars and the remaining 50% from plug-in hybrid electric cars by 2025. The company is also committed to becoming ‘climate neutral’ across the value chain by 2040. The Volvo electric vehicle (EV) current portfolio includes:

• C40 Recharge Pure Electric Crossover
• Volvo EX30 Pure Electric SUV
• Volvo EX90 Pure Electric SUV
• XC40 Recharge Pure Electric SUV
• XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid SUV
• XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid SUV
• XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid SUV
• S60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Saloon
• S90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Saloon
• V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Estate
• V90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Estate

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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

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The Volvo S90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid Saloon

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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). In fact, Volvo has stopped selling the conventional petrol variant, for this mid-sized executive saloon car.

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 54.7 miles.

Even, adjusting for real-world driving, the S90 plug-in electric car should be able to deliver close to 50 miles on pure electric mode. This is above average, compared to other plug-in hybrid electric cars, which tend to deliver less than 30 zero-emission miles.

Given the excellent EV range, most families and company-car drivers, can take advantage of the e-mode to lower motoring bills. Depending on where and when the electric car is charged, the cost per mile on electric mode will be between 5 pence and 10 pence. 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.

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 100,000 miles 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 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds (455 hp). The top speed of the EV is 112 mph. Decent performance for city and motorway driving.

The EV is suitable for both families and company-car drivers. Company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate for electric cars. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. 

You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!

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PROS	CONS
Very useful electric range (54.7 miles) 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 (353.1 mpg)	Onboard charger limited to 3.6 kW

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

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body Type:	Saloon
Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG):	Not Available
Engine:	Electric/ Petrol
Available In UK:	Yes

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£ Variants (2 Options)
Volvo S90 Recharge Plus (from £63,075)
Volvo S90 Recharge Ultimate (from £67,825)

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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)
EV Battery Warranty:	8 years or 100,000 miles

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Average Cost Of Residential Charging
Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh	£1.27
Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh	£1.67
Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh	£1.73
Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh	£1.89
Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh	£2.03

• Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
• Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.

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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)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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

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Volvo S90 Plug-in Hybrid (T8 AWD plug-in hybrid)
EV Battery Capacity:	18.8 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	54.7 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/ 62 miles):	17.5
Fuel Consumption (mpg):	353.1
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 5 hrs)
Top Speed:	112 mph
0-62 mph:	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

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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.

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