AUTO

The 2026 Volvo Lineup Just Got Wild: 155 Miles in 10 Minutes and the Most Powerful Volvo Ever

October 7, 2025

The 2026 Volvo EX90 features an 800-volt electrical architecture allowing up to 155 miles of range in 10 minutes.
Owners of the 2025 EX90 will receive the new hardware and software upgrade free of charge.
Volvo is introducing two new variants for the EX30 in the U.S.: a Single Motor version (starting ~$38,950) and a Cross Country version with raised clearance and all-wheel drive.

You ever get a press release and think, “Whoa, that’s actually kind of cool”? That’s exactly what hit me today when Volvo dropped the details of its 2026 electric lineup. And yes, I’m geeking out just a little.

So. Big news first. Volvo’s flagship EV, the EX90, is getting a monster upgrade for 2026. The brand is moving from a 400-volt setup to an 800-volt electrical architecture, which means much faster charging. Volvo claims the EX90 can gain up to 155 miles of range in just 10 minutes at a compatible 800-volt station. Yes, you read that right: ten minutes. Now, real-world factors (temperature, battery health, etc.) will affect that. That said, the upgrade is real, and it’s impressive.

Image showcasing attendees looking at the features of a Volvo EX30 for the first time at Electrify Expo in New York — _{Visitors gather around a Volvo EX30 at Electrify Expo, inspecting the compact electric SUV’s interior and design during the outdoor showcase.}

To support all that power and speed, Volvo is also equipping every EX90 with a beefy dual NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin central computer, capable of 500 TOPS (trillions of operations per second).

New features riding on that include connected safety alerts (for things like slippery roads and road hazards), expanded automatic emergency steering at night, and something called Emergency Stop Assist with built-in e-call. In short, if a driver becomes unresponsive, the car can bring itself to a controlled stop and call emergency services.

And Volvo confirmed that 2025 EX90 owners will also receive the hardware upgrade at no cost. That turns what could have been a future-exclusive perk into a gesture of inclusion and goodwill.

There’s more to the EX90 story. The model line expands. A Single Motor version is being introduced (to broaden the range of powertrains). The Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance trims both get more oomph.

In fact, the Twin Motor Performance, now rated at 670 horsepower, becomes the most powerful Volvo ever offered. Volvo is also adding lux touches, including an electrochromic panoramic roof with adjustable tint, and ventilated Nappa leather upholstery in three new color options – Cardamom, Dawn, and Charcoal.

Alright, switching focus for a moment. Meet the EX30, Volvo’s smallest electric SUV. Until now, U.S. buyers only had access to the 422-hp Twin Motor Performance model. For 2026, Volvo is adding a Single Motor version to the lineup, giving buyers a more attainable way into the brand’s EV range. Starting at around $38,950 for the Plus trim, this model extends Volvo’s reputation for safety and electric technology to a wider audience.

_{A yellow Volvo EX30 electric SUV prepares for a test drive at Electrify Expo, as attendees interact with event staff near the waterfront course.}

This Single Motor EX30 offers an EPA-estimated range up to 261 miles and can DC fast charge (10-80%) in about 28 minutes. That’s solid for everyday driving. Volvo emphasizes that the EX30 was created with sustainability in mind, considering every stage of its life cycle, from material sourcing to final assembly.

Rear view of the 2026 Volvo EX30 Cross Country with a roof rack, parked on a snowy road at sunset with mountains in the background. — _{Rear view of the 2026 Volvo EX30 Cross Country with a roof rack.}

Now here’s where things get interesting. Volvo is rolling out the EX30 Cross Country, a tougher take on its compact electric SUV. It comes with higher ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and the option for 18-inch all-terrain tires.

Add skid plates, extended wheel arches, and a dark front shield etched with a map of Sweden’s Kebnekaise mountain range, and you get a model that looks ready for all kinds of terrain. The battery can charge from 10 to 80% in roughly 27 minutes under ideal conditions.

Volvo says this Cross Country version will be offered only in the Twin Motor Ultra trim and will cost a bit more than the standard EX30.

Volvo’s designers leaned into confident detailing, with chunky skid plates, wider fenders, and a front grille etched with a map of Sweden’s Kebnekaise range. The goal is to give this compact EV a sense of assurance on both city streets and uneven ground.

Not to be left out, the EX40 gets some flavor upgrades too. Volvo is rolling out a Black Edition styling option for the EX40, pairing it with several exterior colors (Onyx Black, Crystal White, Vapour Grey, Denim Blue). That option is already on Volvo’s plug-in hybrid XC60, but this marks the first time a fully electric Volvo in the U.S. gets it.

A Tesla Model 3 and Volvo EX30 lead a line of electric vehicles, including models from Cadillac, Lucid, Polestar, and Ford, during a test drive event at Electrify Expo.

A 2026 Volvo EX30 leads a lineup of electric SUVs, including a yellow EX30, during a test drive and demo session at Electrify Expo by the waterfront.

Now for a quick reality check, because this is not a hype session. That 10-minute, 155-mile charging figure comes from controlled lab tests with ideal 800-volt conditions. Real-world results will depend on battery temperature, weather, and the charger’s actual output.

The free upgrade for 2025 EX90 owners is generous, but its success depends on how smoothly Volvo handles logistics and compatibility. As for the Cross Country, its design leans toward versatility for gravel, snow, and forest paths, not serious off-road challenges like rock crawling.

Still, what Volvo is doing here is pushing EV tech not just upward, but outward. More choices in powertrain, more user upgrades, more flexibility. It signals a maturing EV market.