It’s Safety, Not Just Luxury, That Won Volvo a World Car Trophy - CleanTechnica

The Volvo EX90 was awarded the 2025 World Luxury Car title at the New York International Auto Show, recognized for its blend of Scandinavian design, advanced technology, and a focus on safety. This accolade underscores Volvo’s successful entry into the premium electric vehicle market, emphasizing safety innovations that align with Sweden’s “Vision Zero” goal of eliminating road fatalities and serious injuries. Sweden’s notably low traffic fatality rate—2.0 per million inhabitants—is partly attributed to Volvo’s longstanding safety policies, which have been evolving since 2010 to address the unique challenges of electric vehicles (EVs), such as battery protection, vehicle dynamics, and post-collision hazards like battery fires. Central to the EX90’s safety features is a roof-mounted lidar system that creates a precise 3D map of the surroundings, detecting pedestrians and small objects at significant distances under various conditions, enhancing collision avoidance beyond traditional camera and radar systems. Additionally, the car incorporates an AI-driven Driver Understanding System that monitors driver attent