Luxury electric SUV destined for South Africa starts production

Volvo has started production of the new fully electric Volvo EX60, with delivery expected from mid-2026 and South Africa firmly in the picture.

The fully electric midsize SUV, manufactured at Volvo’s plant in Torslanda, marks a landmark moment for the brand, as the first fully electric car designed, developed, and built in Sweden.

The EX60 also offers South African drivers another option in the growing electric vehicle (EV) segment, which the carmaker says is shifting from an “if” to a “which one” transition conversation.

With a WLTP range of up to 810km, the SUV aims to ease local range anxiety, covering a trip from Johannesburg to Durban on a single charge.

Volvo also claims the EX60 charges from 10% to 80% in just 16 minutes, though this is based on testing at 400 kW charging facilities.

Locally, Volvo hopes to position the midsize SUV as a premium yet accessible entry point into electric mobility, especially for buyers already considering the XC60 T8.

When the first unit rolled off the production line, Volvo Cars CEO Håkan Samuelsson declared the moment an “important milestone” for the company.

“We are now focused on a steady ramp-up of high-quality EX60 production, making sure this game-changing car will be a profitable growth driver in the coming years.”

To achieve this, the Swedish carmaker spent around 10 billion Swedish Krona (approximately R24 billion) to upgrade the Torslanda plant.

Upgrades include mega casting capabilities, a new battery assembly plant, and a fully refurbished paint shop and final assembly facility.

“Such is the global appetite for the EX60 that we plan to keep the Torslanda plant running for an extra week over the European summer,” said Volvo.

“This is a first in the factory’s history, and a telling measure of just how much the world is ready for this car.”

What to expect

As the automaker’s middle-of-the-range electric offering, the EX60 slots in between the smaller EX30 crossover and the seven-seater EX90, and thus shares styling cues with both.

This includes the closed-off front end and the same LED headlight and daytime running light signature, while in the back, vertical LED taillights flank both the lower boot door and the rear window.

In terms of size, the EX60 is 4,803mm long, 1,889mm wide and 1,639mm tall.

Inside, it follows the same template as the other EX models, with the notable exception of the infotainment screen, which is in landscape orientation when Volvo’s other cars use a portrait display.

The rest of the cabin features a clean, minimalistic aesthetic, with a large multifunction steering wheel and a small digital cluster on the dashboard.

The EX60 will be offered with an option of three powertrains, namely the P6, P10, and P12, each improving on the former’s power outputs, battery, and range.

The P6 is equipped with a single rear-mounted electric motor with an output of 275kW and 480Nm, letting it accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds.

This version uses an 83kWh battery, which gives it a range of 620km.

The P10 has an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system with an e-motor over each axle, improving power outputs to 375kW and 710Nm, which cuts the 0-100km/h time down to 4.6 seconds.

It also has a larger 95kWh power cell, which increases the range to 660km.

At the top of the range, the P12 also features an AWD configuration, but with much higher power outputs of 500kW and 790Nm, making it the most powerful production car Volvo has ever made.

The P12 can reach 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, and thanks to its 117kWh battery, it also has a class-leading range of 810km.

Volvo has yet to confirm the EX60’s trim levels and detailed equipment sheet, which will only become available closer to its expected Q3 launch.

Pricing is also still unknown, but considering that the EX30 and EX90 start at R835,500 and R2,650,000, it would be reasonable to put the EX60’s base price at between R1.2 million and R1.4 million.