As Africa positions itself as a critical player in the global shift to clean energy—both as a supplier of essential EV minerals and as an emerging market for electric mobility—Volvo’s launch of the ES90 marks more than just a milestone in European engineering. It signals the new standard that African nations must prepare to meet if they intend to take a serious place in the rapidly evolving clean transportation economy.
The ES90, Volvo’s most sustainable electric vehicle to date, is scheduled for production by the end of 2025. Unlike previous models, it integrates a full range of carbon-conscious innovations: recycled metals, bio-based materials, and a new 800-volt system designed to boost energy efficiency while reducing the vehicle’s weight. The result is a luxury electric car with one of the lowest lifecycle carbon footprints on the market—just 26 tonnes when charged using wind energy, compared to 31 tonnes using the average European energy mix. That’s a 50% improvement over the emissions profile of a conventional hybrid model.
What makes this especially relevant to Africa is not the vehicle itself, but the systems behind it. Volvo’s transparency in reporting life-cycle emissions—including third-party verified assessments—reflects the growing demand for accountability across global supply chains. African countries that supply cobalt, lithium, and other critical minerals must now demonstrate verifiable environmental and ethical standards. Failure to do so could result in market exclusion as automakers shift toward fully traceable materials. Volvo’s battery passport—built on blockchain to trace raw material origins and battery health—illustrates the pace of change. African suppliers must move quickly to meet these new expectations.
Equally pressing is the energy used to power electric vehicles. Africa’s energy grid remains dominated by fossil fuels in many regions, which risks undermining the climate benefits of EV adoption. Volvo’s data shows that the carbon impact of EVs is highly dependent on the energy mix used for charging. This puts the spotlight on African governments and utilities to accelerate the transition to renewable energy—not only to decarbonise electricity supply, but to ensure that EVs deliver real environmental value.
There are also lessons for Africa’s manufacturing and circular economy ambitions. With 29% of the ES90 made from recycled aluminium, 18% from recycled steel, and 16% from recycled polymers, Volvo is demonstrating how high-value materials can be repurposed at scale. African countries with large informal recycling sectors can harness this opportunity by investing in green processing infrastructure and workforce development. Local industries can be built around battery recycling, sustainable materials, and components that feed both domestic and international EV markets.
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Public information is another key part of Volvo’s strategy. By publishing life-cycle assessments for each of its electric models, the automaker is educating consumers on environmental impact—an approach African regulators and manufacturers should consider adopting early. Africa’s EV market is still young, but as adoption grows, so will the demand for clear and reliable data that helps consumers understand the real climate implications of their purchases.
Volvo’s Head of Global Sustainability, Vanessa Butani, says the company’s aim is not just to meet regulations but to lead in climate-neutral manufacturing, circular design, and responsible business. This mindset should resonate with African governments and business leaders who see the green transition as more than a compliance issue—it’s a platform for competitiveness, innovation, and long-term economic transformation.
With countries across the continent—from Kenya and Rwanda to Egypt, Ghana, and South Africa—investing in e-mobility and charging infrastructure, the stakes are clear. Africa cannot afford to be a passive recipient in the global EV transition. It must shape its own agenda, one that leverages its resources, people, and institutions to drive inclusive and climate-resilient industrialisation.
The ES90 is a bold example of what’s possible when design, policy, and climate ambition align. The message to Africa is simple: the future of mobility is already being built. We must decide whether to watch from the sidelines—or lead where it matters most.
