'The Second Generation Of Hybrids:' Volvo Will Build EREVs In America

"Amid spiraling global sales and software struggles, Volvo is planning a major overhaul to its electric vehicle plans. The automaker made a raft of new announcements on Tuesday, including a massively upgraded EX90 electric SUV, the start of the gasoline XC60 production at its Ridgeville, South Carolina, plant and a new type of EV it plans to launch in the U.S. by the end of the decade."

"EREVs are electric vehicles with a backup gasoline generator onboard, which can recharge the high-voltage battery on the go. They function as EVs, with the electric motors driving the wheels, and batteries that can be plugged into chargers like regular EVs. The gasoline generator helps eliminate range anxiety-several automakers, including Hyundai, Nissan, Scout Motors and Ford are developing EREVs for the U.S. market. The technology is already taking off in China, where some EREVs even deliver as much as 900 miles of range on the country's optimistic testing cycle."

""We call it the second generation of hybrids," Samuelsson told reporters during a media roundtable. "It behaves like an electric car, with very fast acceleration, but it has an onboard charger to extend the range," Samuelsson added. "It's more of an electric car with a backup engine.""

Volvo plans a major overhaul of its electric vehicle strategy amid spiraling global sales and software struggles. The company announced a massively upgraded EX90 electric SUV, the start of gasoline XC60 production at its Ridgeville, South Carolina plant, and a new type of EV planned for the U.S. by the end of the decade. Volvo confirmed it will manufacture an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) in the U.S. as fully electric sales are projected to slow after the federal tax credit expires on Sept. 30. The EREV combines electric driving with an onboard gasoline generator to recharge the battery on the go, reducing range anxiety. Several automakers are developing EREVs, and the technology is gaining traction in China. Volvo is owned by China's Geely Group.

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