The company recently opened a new electric motor laboratory in Shanghai, China, which has expanded its global network of EV component development and testing facilities. The laboratory complements existing electric motor development facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden, as well as state-of-the-art battery manufacturing centers in China and Sweden.
Taking on the role of ICEs in the automotive industry, electric motors are one of the main components of electric vehicles, along with batteries and power electronics. The interplay of these three pillars is critical to the creation of premium electric vehicles.
The in-house development of electric motors will enable Volvo Cars' engineers to further optimize the electric motors and the entire electric transmission of new Volvo cars. This approach will further improve energy efficiency and overall productivity.
"Through internal design and development, we can improve our electric motors even further," says Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer, Volvo Cars. "By continuously improving their performance in terms of energy efficiency and comfort, we are creating a unique electric driving experience for Volvo."
Electric motors have the distinctive features that electric vehicles are renowned for. For example, instant acceleration and so-called One Pedal Driving, in which the driver uses the accelerator pedal for both acceleration and braking, depending on whether he presses on or off the pedal.
A new electric motor laboratory in Shanghai began operations last month. Her main work will focus on the development of electric motors for use in all-electric and hybrid vehicles based on Volvo Cars' future SPA2 modular architecture.
The investment in electric motor design and development represents another step towards Volvo Cars' climate ambitions and electrification strategy. By 2025, 50% of the company's global sales should be electric vehicles, the rest - hybrids.
Electrification is part of the company's comprehensive climate change plan to reduce its carbon footprint, in line with Volvo Cars' vision of becoming a climate neutral company by 2040.
The plan goes beyond addressing exhaust emissions through electrification of vehicles. The company will address carbon emissions from its manufacturing network and other broader operations, supply chains, and recycling and reuse of materials.
The first tangible step towards realizing the ambition for 2040: from 2018 to 2025, to reduce the carbon emissions from each car by 40% throughout its entire life cycle.
About Volvo Car Group
Volvo has existed since 1927. Today, Volvo is one of the world's most famous and respected car brands. Volvo Cars sells its vehicles in approximately 100 countries, with global sales of 705,452 vehicles in 2019, surpassing 700,000 units for the first time in the company's history. Volvo Cars was part of the Volvo Group (Sweden) until 1999, when it was acquired by the Ford Motor Company (USA). In 2010 Volvo Cars was acquired by Zhejiang Geely Holding (China).
In 2019, Volvo Cars had around 41,500 employees worldwide. Volvo Cars is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, with its main product development, marketing and company management units. Volvo Cars' headquarters for development in China is located in Shanghai. The main production facilities of the company are located in Gothenburg (Sweden), Ghent (Belgium), South Carolina (USA), Chengdu and Daqing (China). Engines for Volvo cars are manufactured at the plant in Shevde (Sweden) and Zhangjiakou (China), body parts are manufactured at the plant in Olofström (Sweden).
In line with its new strategy, Volvo Cars is committed to providing customers with a "Freedom to Move" that meets safety, stability and customer needs. This strategy is reflected in a number of ambitious goals for the company. Thus, by 2025, half of Volvo Cars' total sales will be electric cars, half of all cars will be offered to customers by subscription, and a third of cars will be equipped with autonomous driving technologies.