This South Africa-bound SUV has a built-in breathalyser

The new Volvo EX90, coming to South Africa in early 2025, can stop inebriated owners from getting on the roads.

This forms part of the Swedish automaker’s ongoing campaign to have “no one be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo.”

How it works

The so-called “Alcohol Lock software” in the new EX90 comprises a programme that makes it possible to activate a connected alcohol-lock device that interacts with the car’s functions.

A car that is equipped with an alcohol-lock system will not be possible to start if the air exhaled by the driver contains alcohol above the permitted limits.

In South Africa, this is defined as a Breath-Alcohol Limit of 0.24mg of alcohol per 1,000ml of breath.

Volvo explains that when the EX90 is ready to start, a message is shown in the centre display that the driver can use the alcohol-lock device and take a breath test.

If the breath test is passed, the car can be ignited as usual.

If the driver fails the test, a warning message is shown in the centre display and the car will not start.

Funnily enough, Volvo recommends avoiding eating or drinking anything approximately five minutes before the breath test to ensure accurate measurements.

It also says: “Avoid excessive windscreen washing as the alcohol in the washer fluid may affect the alcohol lock.”

There is a loophole, though.

The alcohol-lock system automatically activates to be ready for use when the car is unlocked.

However, you can restart and drive the vehicle within 30 minutes after shutting it down without requiring a new breath test.

Given the prevalence of drunk driving in South Africa, TopAuto asked the local arm of Volvo whether its new EX90 will be shipped to the country with the alcohol-lock system – either standard or as an option.

Unfortunately, however, the company said that it can’t disclose details such as these this far ahead of the SUV’s debut.