We were driving an SUV that had 276 horsepower, a bunch of equipment, and a price tag that might worry the competition.

Croatian specialists have opened the battery of a 2015 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid after more than half a million kilometers of use and were stunned to find it still functional. The vehicle had been brought to the EV Clinic in Croatia, where technicians initially suspected multiple mechanical issues. After disassembling the car's underbody compartment, they uncovered a high-voltage battery weighing over 120 kilograms. What followed was both surprising and impressive. The battery, originally installed with the car, showed signs of extreme swelling and damage. Internal resistance had increased significantly over time, leading to overheating and deformation of the cells. The insulation was compromised, and parts of the high-voltage system were affected. Despite these issues, the battery had continued to function, keeping the vehicle operational for nearly five years. It had covered over 514,000 kilometers, which is an extraordinary achievement for a hybrid battery of its age. However, the real revelation came when the team checked the serial number of the battery against data stored in Volvo’s system. To their surprise, the result confirmed that this was the original battery that had come with the car from the factory. This raised questions among the mechanics, who had initially doubted whether the battery could have lasted so long without being replaced. They decided to verify the authenticity of the pack. After confirming that the battery was indeed original, the tone of their assessment changed dramatically. They praised the durability and performance of the battery, noting how it had managed to survive such a long distance while maintaining functionality. “Bravo for Volvo and LG Chem,” one technician remarked. “One of the best PHEV batteries on the market.” The LG Chem cells, in particular, received special recognition. “These cells deserve an award,” concluded the Croatian experts, citing their reliability and longevity based on past service experiences. The battery in question was part of a 11.2 kWh lithium-ion pack, consisting of 200 individual cells arranged into ten modules. It was integrated with a water-cooling system connected to the car's climate control. The design allowed for efficient heat dissipation during operation. The V60 D6, introduced as the first diesel plug-in hybrid in series production, combined a diesel engine with an electric motor to offer a balance between range and daily usability. Despite the praise, the story does not end on a completely positive note. While the original battery had performed admirably, the owner faced another challenge, cost. The EV Clinic estimated the price of replacing the entire battery with a new original unit to be around €44,000, including installation. Used replacement packs of unknown condition were available for between €4,000 and €10,000. Though the technicians acknowledged the durability of the original cells, they criticized the cost of a new battery as unsustainable. The issue of replacing the existing pack remained unresolved due to the lack of suitable replacement cells matching the original specifications.