Volvo’s announcement of commencing production of the EX90 at its South Carolina plant may have come with some caveats. It appears that certain features will not be installed on delivered units, as stated in an email sent to customers and a notice posted on Volvo’s customer help site. Among the 10 features that could be missing, four are related to safety and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including the lidar system.
The lidar system is one of Volvo’s primary talking points for the EX90, so it’s significant that this feature may not be fully implemented. However, the automaker assures customers that they will receive an update to enhance the car’s lidar capabilities, particularly in darkness. Additionally, emergency steering will be available to help avoid collisions. While the planned breadth of lidar capabilities may not be present, it seems that some level of lidar functionality will be included.
Moving on to battery and charging concerns, four more items on the list pertain to these aspects. One potentially unwelcome issue is battery drainage when the EX90 is parked without charging for the first three days. Volvo explains that this occurs because the core computing system needs to remain active to support the car’s “highly advanced functions” when it is not being used. After 72 hours, the EX90 will enter a deep sleep mode to conserve battery power. However, it raises questions as to why the car cannot enter this mode sooner after being parked.
Furthermore, features like smart charging and Plug & Charge might also be absent initially, which could make charging the EX90 less cost-effective and convenient for drivers. Bi-directional charging, which allows the car to both charge and discharge energy, will not be available at first either. This means that EX90 owners may need to rely on portable battery banks for additional power sources.
Surprisingly, two final software-related items on the missing features list are Apple CarPlay and a light theme for the driver cluster and infotainment. Upon delivery, owners should expect only a dark theme on the digital displays. This absence of customization options may disappoint some customers who were expecting a different aesthetic experience.
It’s important to note that EX90 deliveries are not scheduled to begin until later this year, allowing for potential changes to the list of missing features through over-the-air (OTA) updates. Volvo may address some of these issues before the official release, giving customers an improved ownership experience.
Overall, while it’s disheartening to learn that certain features may be missing initially, Volvo’s commitment to providing updates and improvements through OTA capabilities demonstrates their dedication to customer satisfaction. As in any complex software-driven vehicle, challenges and trade-offs are expected. As technology evolves, it’s crucial for automakers to continuously refine and enhance their offerings to meet customer expectations.
