Volvo’s EX60 Aims for Spec Supremacy with 400-Mile Range and 400 kW Charging
For decades, Volvo was the brand you bought because it was safe, sensible, and perhaps a bit slow to change. With the upcoming EX60, the Swedish automaker is finally shedding that "safe but slow" reputation. Set for a full reveal on January 21, 2026, this midsize SUV is chasing the top of the spec sheet, promising a 400-mile range and charging speeds that could theoretically rival a gas station stop—provided the infrastructure can keep up.
The EX60 is Volvo’s most aggressive move toward total electrification. By targeting a 400-mile EPA range (and 810 km under the European WLTP standard), Volvo is positioning itself to leapfrog the Porsche Macan Electric and Audi Q6 e-tron. It is a clear attempt to eliminate the "range anxiety" narrative that has hampered EV adoption in the premium segment.
The 400 kW Charging Reality Check
The most discussed feature ahead of the launch is the SUV’s 400 kW DC fast-charging capability. Volvo claims this 800-volt system can add 168 miles of range in just 10 minutes. In theory, this aligns charging with a standard coffee break, effectively bridging the gap between internal combustion refueling and electric charging.
However, there is a significant gap between vehicle capability and real-world utility. While the EX60 is ready for 400 kW, the current charging grid is not. Tesla’s V4 Superchargers generally peak at 350 kW, and the Lucid Air—often cited as the industry leader in charging—tops out around 300 kW. Most public chargers still hover between 150 kW and 250 kW. Until 400 kW stalls become a common sight rather than a rarity, EX60 owners may find that their "blistering" charging speeds are limited by the plug, not the car.
The Cost of Megacasting: Efficiency vs. Repairability
Under the skin, the EX60 debuts the SPA3 modular platform, which utilizes "megacasting." By casting large sections of the vehicle’s structure as single pieces and utilizing a structural battery pack, Volvo has streamlined its production significantly.
From a business perspective, the numbers are impressive: the new powertrain is 18% cheaper to produce than Volvo’s current units, and the next-gen battery packs offer 20% higher energy density. This efficiency is what Volvo hopes will allow the EX60 to reach price parity with its plug-in hybrid predecessor, the XC60.
But for the consumer, megacasting introduces a different set of risks. While single-piece castings reduce weight and manufacturing complexity, they are notoriously difficult to repair. In the event of a collision, a structural component that might have been easily pulled or replaced on a traditional frame could now lead to a vehicle being written off by insurers. As Volvo pushes toward Tesla-like manufacturing efficiency, buyers may need to weigh lower MSRPs against potentially higher insurance premiums and repair costs.
The Software-Defined SUV
The EX60 is less of a traditional vehicle and more of a mobile computer. It is the first Volvo to lean entirely on this 800-volt, silicon-first architecture. The onboard system is capable of 1,000 trillion operations per second, a massive computing overhead intended to manage everything from active safety suites to battery thermal management.
This "software-defined" approach means the vehicle is designed to improve via over-the-air (OTA) updates. By keeping the software and hardware development in-house, Volvo claims it has achieved 35% more drive power compared to its current EV lineup.
As the January 21 reveal approaches, the EX60 is being positioned as the litmus test for Volvo’s survival in a crowded market. It offers the specs to compete with the best from Germany and the US, but its success will ultimately depend on whether Volvo can translate these laboratory milestones into a practical, repairable, and reliable experience for the everyday driver.