Volvo ES90 saloon is a big car with a small carbon footprint
New data has revealed that the full-sized, all-electric Volvo ES90 saloon has a smaller carbon footprint than Volvo’s smaller SUV twins the EX40 and EC40.
Analysis released by the Swedish car maker revealed that over the course of of a 200,000km (124,000-mile) lifecycle, the flagship luxury saloon’s CO2 emissions – from construction to charging – can be as low as 26 tonnes, compared with 27 tonnes for the small-to-mid-sized EX40 and EC40.
More importantly, the latest Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) report from Volvo for its new ES90 shows that in addition to being greener than its smaller siblings, it is significantly cleaner than the equivalent S90 mild hybrid (MHEV) and S90 plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The total carbon footprint of the ES90 is 31 tonnes with a European energy mix to charge it. Using wind power, the figure drops to 26 tonnes. Overall, the ES90’s footprint is 50% less than the S90 MHEV, and the 30% less than the PHEV.
An energy mix is a country or region’s energy sources used to meet its needs. The energy mix includes various fossil fuels, nuclear power, plus renewables such as wind, solar, and hydro.
While not quite as clean as the all-electric EX30 crossover, which has a carbon footprint of 23 tonnes of CO2 over its lifespan, the ES90 has one of the lowest carbon footprints of all Volvos to date. Volvo attributes this to its pivot towards sustainability, which sees the ES90 built with 29% recycled aluminium, 18% recycled steel, plus 16% recycled polymers and further biomaterials in the cabin such as FSC-certified wood. An optional Nordico upholstery is made from recycled PET bottles and other bio-attributed materials.
As a way of creating its low carbon footprint, the ES90 is underpinned by Volvo’s new 800V electrical system, providing the luxury saloon with a class-leading range of up to 435 miles. The architecture has lighter e-motors than previous Volvo EVs, along with ugpraded battery cells, a new inverter, plus new climate and thermal systems. In line with Volvo’s pivot towards cross-range sustainability, the ES90’s 92kWh and 106kWh batteries come with a blockchain-based “battery passport”, which tracks the source of the lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite used in its construction.
Unlike the upcoming Volvo EX60, the Volvo ES90 is built on parent company Geely’s bespoke SPA-2 platform, which is shared with its larger cousins, the Volvo EX90 and the Polestar 3 full-size SUVs. The Volvo ES90 is the most aerodynamically efficient Volvo ever made, with a drag coefficient of 0.25cD.
“We go above and beyond existing legislation and have clear ambitions because that is important to us,” said Vanessa Butani, the head of global sustainability at Volvo Cars. “We aim to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, and our ambition to be a leader in electrification is one step in that direction. The ES90 represents our holistic approach to sustainability, including the circular economy, climate-neutral manufacturing and responsible business.”
The Volvo ES90 was unveiled earlier in 2025, with initial models rolling off the production line this summer. Order books are now open, and it will be initially available in European markets including the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Finland, and at home in Sweden. Additional markets will be announced later this year and in 2026.
