Following the actual experience of Volvo pure electric vehicles in early 2022XC 40 Recharge,After the minor facelift in 2023, Volvo once again introduced its development concept in the pure electric vehicle market trend, and the author also once again experienced the actual driving and riding experience of the minor facelifted XC 40 Recharge.
Safety is the highest principle
Volvo's training manager, Chen Wentang, also known as "Walter," explained that Volvo's approach to electric vehicle development differs from other automakers. Volvo maintains safety, a priority it has placed since its founding in 1927. Therefore, safety remains paramount in the design of its electric vehicles.
Because electric vehicles have completely different internal structures than traditional fuel-powered vehicles, they lack the space and weight requirements of a fuel-powered engine, but require additional space for batteries. Therefore, the frame design differs from that of traditional vehicles. Therefore, unlike some automakers that simply build electric vehicles using a common frame with fuel-powered vehicles, Volvo has redesigned and constructed a frame suitable for the transition period between electric and fuel-powered vehicles. This not only meets the needs of current electric vehicles, but also meets the needs of fuel-powered vehicles in the future.
Therefore, although the C40 and XC 40 Recharge models are similar to traditional fuel vehicles, many details of the frame design are actually tailored to the needs of electric vehicles. For example, the crumple space in the event of a front collision will not affect the driver's cabin, nor will it affect the placement of the battery at the rear bottom of the vehicle. At the same time, the rear seat footrest space is not sacrificed to increase battery capacity. Instead, the battery capacity is stacked to ensure that it corresponds to the power required for sufficient driving range.
Ensure that the battery does not cause passive damage factors
The battery itself is designed with a tightly sealed package and a honeycomb structure to prevent fire and explosion if impacted. Furthermore, the circuit design protects the driver and passengers from short circuits during use. In the event of an accident, the power supply can be manually disconnected. The vehicle's electrical system is also waterproof to prevent short circuits or electric shock caused by water ingress.
As for circuit protection, a battery energy control module is used to prevent problems such as overpowering and overcharging. Temperature monitoring and cooling systems are also used to ensure the normal operation of the battery system. The introduction of siliconized carbon (SiC) Class III power semiconductor components can withstand the electric field strength generated by the high voltage and high current conversion within the electric vehicle, and reduce power conversion losses, allowing the electric vehicle to maintain stability during operation while ensuring a longer driving range.
In addition to structural "safety", it also emphasizes safety assistance performance in driving operations
After ensuring the safety of the battery, circuit system, and frame, Volvo explained how the active assisted driving function is designed to ensure safety. This includes using a millimeter-wave radar to sense whether there are obstacles ahead, and using computer vision in conjunction with a front camera to determine whether the obstacles are objects such as vehicles, pedestrians, or road signs. Sensors on the side of the vehicle determine whether there are objects approaching, and ultrasonic sensing elements are also used to assist in identification. This can determine whether the vehicle is too close to the vehicle in front, and whether there are vehicles approaching from the rear, left, or right. It can even activate the brakes to slow down in specific situations such as people, cars, bicycles, and animals.
Volvo also stated that it was the first to introduce the PA II intelligent driving assistance system in the Taiwan market, and it can provide full-range assistance at speeds of 0-180 kilometers per hour. It can start normally regardless of whether there is a vehicle in front. Even when the speed reaches 130 kilometers per hour, it can still perform the steering assistance function normally, and at the same time, the owner will not feel uncomfortable during the operation of the assistance system.
Emphasizes healthy breathing in the car, and comes with "Pet Mode" and "Camping Mode"
Stressing that while ensuring the complete safety of the vehicle, Volvo also stated that its vehicle design also takes into account the respiratory health and safety of the owner and passengers in the vehicle. This includes the materials used in the vehicle, the reduction of harmful volatile gases, and the emphasis on the quality of the air circulating inside the vehicle. It emphasizes that the electrostatic fiber activated carbon filter material is combined with the vehicle's indoor air particle monitoring system APMS to ensure the freshness of the air quality in the vehicle.
In addition, as I have two medium-sized dogs and often take them out for trips, I also noticed that Volvo has designed relevant protective net accessories with clip positions in the C40 and XC 40 Recharge. This makes it convenient for owners to fold down the rear seats and use the protective net accessories to prevent pets from rushing to the driver's seat while driving and affecting safety.
The electric vehicle can still drive the air conditioning system through battery power when it is stationary, even if the pet is left in the car for a short time (Note) There is no need to worry about heat exhaustion or suffocation. You can even use this feature to use the vehicle as a camper "equipment". A full charge of the XC 40 Recharge can reach about 81 degrees of electricity, which can sustain about 1 to 2 days of continuous air conditioning use (it still depends on the actual parking environment and the air conditioning is turned on). At the same time, the rear seats can be flattened and cushioned to provide enough space for two adults to sleep.
Note:Given the current social atmosphere, it is recommended to avoid leaving pets alone in cars. Even if the air conditioning system can be kept on when the train is stationary, it may still cause unnecessary misunderstandings.
However, unlike Tesla, Volvo did not design a "pet mode" and "camping mode" in the car system. Instead, it allows users to manually or automatically turn on the car's air conditioning system. At the same time, it will automatically filter the turbid air outside the car through the car's circulation system, making the air inside the car better.
Other safety features include laminated safety glass, three-point seatbelts, dual-circuit braking systems, rear-facing child safety seat installations, and a connected car-based city safety system, all of which have long been used in traditional fuel vehicles. These are all design elements that Volvo continues to utilize in its electric vehicle products.
Besides safety, electric vehicles are also not far behind.
After explaining Volvo's vehicle "safety" design principles, the next step is to discuss Volvo's ideas for future electric vehicle designs. This includes the electric motor developed independently since 2018. While most automakers use the same motor design, Volvo has upgraded the front-wheel drive system of the facelifted XC40 Recharge to a 100kW induction asynchronous motor and the rear-wheel drive system to a second-generation 190kW permanent magnet synchronous motor. While still providing 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.8 seconds, Volvo maintains the vehicle's steering dynamics and comfort.
At the same time, in four-wheel drive conditions, the front wheels output 40% of the force and the rear wheels output 60% of the force when starting, and the front wheel braking force is maintained at 60% and the rear wheel maintains a 40% force ratio when braking. This allows the vehicle to maintain agility when accelerating and stability when braking. It even applies braking force to the inner wheel when cornering, which not only reduces the steering side force generated when cornering, but also reduces power loss.
As for the "One Pedal Drive" (single-pedal driving mode) that can be selected during driving, it can utilize the characteristics of the electric vehicle motor. When the owner releases the accelerator, it can apply a strong braking effect to slow the vehicle down. This is suitable for urban driving, allowing the owner to operate the vehicle with only a single pedal and steering wheel (but when necessary, it is still necessary to cooperate with the brakes to stop the vehicle faster. It is also recommended not to use it in complex road conditions such as rainy days).
Cooperate with Google on Android Automotive in-vehicle operating system, retain CarPlay function
Other convenient assistance features include the Android Automotive in-vehicle operating system, which is used independently in a native car-machine mode in cooperation with Google. It can not only be used in a standalone network mode, but also log in to up to 6 Google accounts to synchronize the operating interface and seat adjustment settings of different drivers. In addition, in the event of a vehicle emergency, you can also call for help through the SOS button. If the system determines that the owner may be in an emergency, it will automatically contact rescue units for assistance.
However, although the Android Automotive in-vehicle operating system currently used in Volvo models supports Traditional Chinese display, it still only has the difficulty of converting Chinese voice into Chinese text and then performing further searches in terms of Chinese voice recognition. Therefore, it will become somewhat troublesome when using search services such as Google Maps. Perhaps there will be an opportunity to correct this later.
For car owners who use iPhones, Volvo still retains the option of using Apple CarPlay in the car system, but it must be connected via a wired method and cannot be paired directly wirelessly, which is somewhat inconvenient.
The PA II intelligent driving assistance system is still mainly used as an auxiliary system, not a panacea.
Finally, let's explain the design of Volvo's PA II intelligent driver assistance system. Like other automakers, it's designed for active driving assistance, rather than fully autonomous driving like Tesla. It's primarily based on the principle of "safety." Therefore, not only does it use sensors around the vehicle to alert the driver to approaching vehicles or if they're driving too close to obstacles such as neighboring cars or parked vehicles, but even when Auto Follow is enabled, the driver still needs to keep their hands on the steering wheel and pay attention to the road ahead, allowing them to take over control of the vehicle in an emergency if necessary.
In addition, Volvo also emphasized that the PA II intelligent driving assistance system is not a panacea, so car owners should always pay attention to the traffic conditions ahead. For example, when the automatic road centering function is turned on, it may fail if the road markings are unclear or there are obvious curves. Therefore, it is recommended that even if the PA II intelligent driving assistance system is turned on, users should still remember that this system is only for assistance and does not replace driving.
summary
For many people, Volvo has always had the stereotype of being a "Swedish tank." For example, when a Volvo model was recently involved in a landslide in Keelung, even though the front half of the vehicle was buried by earth and rocks, the windshield was shattered, and the front bumper fell off, the vehicle's sheet metal structure showed almost no dents, the rear doors could be opened normally, and the owner was even able to drive directly to a maintenance shop for repairs. I also recall that a friend's early Volvo model accidentally skidded and drove down a slope. Although the vehicle was ultimately damaged, the passengers were unharmed. This shows that the safety that Volvo emphasizes in its models is guaranteed to a certain extent.
During the development of electric vehicles, Volvo did not forget this principle. Therefore, compared with most car manufacturers who choose to directly build electric vehicles based on the frames of existing fuel vehicles to reduce design costs and launch electric vehicles on the market faster, Volvo chose to redesign and build from the frame. Even though this may make the initial car price relatively higher, Volvo still believes that "safety" is the highest principle of car manufacturing.
Discussing recent developments in the electric vehicle market, Volvo Training Manager Chen Wentang stated that most automakers possess unique strengths that no other automaker can surpass. Volvo's greatest advantage lies in its commitment to safety. Unlike Tesla, Volvo emphasizes its ongoing development of fully autonomous driving technology and its extensive data and charging station resources, areas in which Volvo is relatively lacking.
Therefore, Volvo chose to cooperate with Google, leveraging its data, artificial intelligence and other technological strengths, combined with Android's development advantages, and Volvo's own car manufacturing technology, to make electric vehicle products more in line with actual usage needs.
Even though many companies are entering the electric vehicle market with affordable models, Volvo believes that safety remains the highest priority for vehicles, a factor that is difficult for other automakers and technology companies to surpass.
