Volvo's Plan to Make Software, Not Bigger Batteries, the Secret to Longer EV Range

While EV adoption numbers in Sweden can’t touch those of its next-door neighbor, global leader Norway, the Swedish EV fleet hitting 15% last year seems high when you consider how much Swedes rely on battery-draining vehicle heating for at least half the year. Volvo, which still wants to be an EV manufacturer, even after scaling back its transition goals, has to face not only a nation with climate extremes but patchy rural charging networks head-on. Volvo has been experimenting with EVs for 50 years and selling them in the U.S. since 2021, so the technology is nothing new for the automaker. However, none of its efforts so far have been known for class-leading range, a topic that’s at the top of mind for EV intenders worried about being left chargeless in the infrastructure gaps. Volvo is hoping that changes with the Volvo EX60, the company’s first EV to target as much as 400 miles on a charge and much quicker DC fast charging times. To accomplish that, though, Volvo’s engineers said no to adding a massive battery and calling it a day, and instead turned to software to make better use of the charge the car already has. In 2024, Volvo Cars partnered with London-based Breathe Battery T