All new Volvos are either hybrid or electric, and they are all exceptional in their respective categories.
Since their commitment towards electrification started in 2017, Volvo has been producing only hybrid or fully electric cars. They produce two types of hybrid cars. The first is a mild hybrid and the other is a plug-in hybrid car. The mild-hybrid version is available in all Volvo models, while the plug-in versions are available in premium models.
Volvo’s Hybrid Technology
Volvo has been producing hybrid cars since 2017. The company has a complete range of hybrid and electric cars, with mild hybrid cars being standard. The mild-hybrid cars are aimed to provide better fuel economy with fewer carbon emissions.
The plug-in hybrids have a big battery that can store electric energy to allow the car to run entirely on the battery. The battery range is up to 18 miles, which means it’s useful for city driving. The PHEVs are proven to be extremely good in fuel consumption. The PHEV XC40 model uses two times less fuel and has very low carbon emissions.
Mild-hybrid technology
Volvo’s mild-hybrid cars use a small battery to accelerate the car and provide a smooth ride. Mild-hybrid cars’ batteries cannot run the entire car on the battery alone, but they use 15% less fuel than conventional engines, so they’re economical and environmentally friendly.
Volvo uses a 48-volt battery in every mild-hybrid car. The battery recharges itself through a regenerative brakes system. Batteries also provide better assistance to the start/stop button.
Mild-hybrid models have superb fuel economies. The S60 T5 and T6 powertrains, which are mild-hybrid models, give an average of around 23 mpg and 21 mpg, respectively. The S90 T6 powertrain gives a mileage of 21 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Although this is not better than full hybrids or PHEVs, mild-hybrids are still a better option than conventional ICE cars.
Plug-in hybrid technology
Volvo’s Plug-in hybrids use a battery and a conventional combustion engine. However, the car is able to run solely on battery. Volvo’s recharge models are based on plug-in technology. All of them have a lithium-ion battery which can run up to 18 miles completely on the battery, depending on your vehicle size.
The battery can be recharged with a charging toolkit in your home that comes standard with the car, or you can use a fast charger. The cars’ batteries also have a long lifespan of around 10 years. The Volvo S60 Recharge gives a fuel economy of up to 69 mpg, whereas the XC90 offers fuel efficiency of up to 55 mpg.
Volvo Hybrid car models
Volvo hybrid cars are exceptionally practical, and they are rates as some of the best in their categories. Here are the Volvo car model ratings:
• Volvo S60 – overall rating 8.3/10
• Volvo S90 – overall rating 7.9/10
• Volvo V60 – overall rating 8.3/10
• Volvo V90 – overall rating 8.8/10
• Volvo XC40 – overall rating 8.4/10
• Volvo XC60 – overall rating 8.4/10
• Volvo XC90 – overall rating 8.1/10
This clearly shows that Volvo cars among the best. The safety and luxury features are always a plus point when buying a Volvo. Hybrid models offer the maximum level of Volvo safety, and are also economical.
Electrifying Volvo
Volvo has been one of the few car manufacturers that is focusing on electrifying their cars completely. They initiated their electrification campaign in 2017 and since then, they have discontinued diesel engines and replaced every fossil-fuel-based engine with hybrid options.
Certainly, mild-hybrid cars are not the perfect option for the environment, but they are still cheaper than PHEVs and they emit less carbon than conventional engines. Volvo’s PHEVs reduce carbon emissions by up to 66%. They do this while also having an even better engine performance and faster acceleration.
Verdict
Volvo hybrids are certainly good. The company has plenty of good experience in making hybrids now. Furthermore, with the introduction of the XC40 Recharge, they will improve their hybrid and electric technology even more. They are even going to introduce another EV, the C40 Recharge. Overall, buying a Volvo hybrid is an even better option than many other hybrids due to its superior safety features.
FAQ
Are mild-hybrids expensive?
Mild-hybrid cars reduce carbon emissions by almost 9% and can provide better fuel economy than normal fossil fuel-based engines do. However, the cars are not entirely electric. They will still need more fuel than other fully hybrid or PHEVs. Having a battery makes them slightly more expensive than conventional ICE cars, but they are surely cheaper than other hybrid types.
How much fuel do mild-hybrids save?
Mild-hybrid cars don’t run entirely on electricity and still need gas. The car’s engine is cut off when it is not needed in mild-hybrids. It then powers the accessories and minimizes the need for the engine which saves on fuel. Overall, mild-hybrids save up to 10% in fuel, depending upon the car manufacturer.
Are hybrid batteries expensive?
Hybrid batteries are expensive, ranging from $1,000 to $6,000, depending on your vehicle. However, hybrid cars can help you save on fuel expenses by up to 35%, and even more in PHEVs. They also cost less to maintain. It is still necessary to change the battery of your car sometimes, otherwise it can affect your car’s overall health.
Do plug-in hybrids run only on electric energy?
Plug-hybrid cars run both on electric motors and combustion engines. The battery is charged in two ways, first by plugging in a charger and second by the regenerative brakes system of the car. The car then runs entirely on battery for up to some range, which varies depending on the type of car.
If you don’t want to run on the electric motor, then the car can run on either the combustion engine or the electric battery, which can save fuel like a full hybrid car. Overall, PHEVs are a good alternative to fully electric vehicles.
Why are electric cars so important?
The entire transportation sector is responsible for up to one-fifth of the total carbon emissions in the world. Improving car technology can reduce carbon emissions exponentially. Relying on electric energy can even reduce carbon emissions through other ways like less gasoline extraction and production.