Volvo is slowly building up to the release of its new EX90, the brand's flagship electric SUV that will sit in the same slot as the current XC90.
Previously, we've heard about some of the mind-blowing safety technology the EX90 will feature from the company's CEO, Jim Rowan. We've also been told about new features to ensure you never forget a thing in the car again.
Now, Volvo is telling us how you'll be able to use the EX to power almost anything or use almost anything to power the EX90. Volvo calls it bi-directional charging and believes it's key to keeping this new EV as green as possible.
This will be the first Volvo car to be usable with bi-directional charging. Initially, Volvo will roll out the tech in "selected markets" before it's widely available. Volvo says bi-directional charging will help make customers' energy utilization cheaper, more efficient, and more sustainable.
By pairing with the Volvo app, the EX90 can charge the car when demand from the grid, and therefore prices, are lower. Volvo also says that there are usually more renewable sources in the "energy mix," thereby cleaning up your charging. The car can, obviously, save that energy and use it later, hence bi-directional.
"With the Volvo EX90 you can power your life," says Head of Electrification Ecosystem Olivier Loedel. "You could use its battery in many ways, from topping up your electric bike when you're out and about, to hooking up an outdoor cooking appliance for your weekend camping trip. It could even power your house during the expensive peak hours of the day."
Like so many other EVs with bi-directional charging, you'll be able to charge other compatible Volvos. For now, Volvo appears to be implying that you can't charge other vehicles without explicitly saying that. We'll have to see if it works on other cars as well. We know Ford's will, and so will Rivian's.
Let's circle back to the app for a second. Supposing your car is plugged in at home, you'll eventually be able to charge automatically. Volvo says it has an algorithm that ensures you're charging and discharging the battery in a very limited way, which will help with battery degradation. This will also be part of the automated charging feature.
Volvo also poses a scenario at the end of its release. If you come home with a battery full of cheaper, cleaner electricity from earlier in the day, your car can be plugged in and discharge the energy while prices are higher. It might sound like you're giving away electricity, but Volvo phrases this another way:
"Since energy is generally cheaper when climate-neutral sources are contributing more to the power supply, this energy transaction can save money on your energy bill and give back cleaner energy to the grid at the same time." Sounds like a win-win.
The EX90 will debut on November 9.
