Volvo electric vehicles can now warn other cars about animals in the road

See more This is Money on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Updated: 02:00 EDT, 30 August 2026 Volvo is putting creatures great and small at the forefront of its latest safety updates.In good news for animal lovers, drivers of some of Volvo's newest electric cars will now receive alerts from other Volvo vehicles about animal hazards ahead.A new over-the-air software update introduced by the Swedish luxury car maker uses a vehicle's sensors and cameras to detect dangers, including large animals wandering onto the road.As part of four new Connected Safety alerts, drivers will receive warnings about hazards ahead or dangers hidden from view. The new EX60 SUV, EX90 seven-seater SUV and ES90 saloon EV are all receiving the software update.As well as improving road safety, Volvo's update could help reduce the number of animals killed on UK roads each year, with estimates suggesting that up to 70 million animals die on Britain's roads annually.Volvo has long been a champion of road safety. The Swedish brand famously invented the three-point seatbelt and shared the patent with rival manufacturers to improve safety standards across the industry. The new EX60 SUV, EX90 seven-seater SUV and ES90 saloon EV are all receiving the new 'Large Animal Alert' software, which can warn other Volvo models of animal hazards ahead How does Volvo’s animal-friendly safety update work?Volvo's new feature is called Large Animal Alert.As the name suggests, it warns drivers if a large animal is detected on or close to the road ahead.Once the animal, which can range from sheep and deer to elk, is detected by a car's sensors and cameras, the vehicle uploads the hazard's location data to the cloud.The system then relays the information to nearby EX60s, EX90s and ES90s, warning drivers as they approach and potentially helping prevent an accident.Versions of this technology have existed for years.Volvo models launched in 2013 featured Animal Detection technology, while 2015 models introduced Interior Large Animal Detection, which used the vehicle's radar and camera systems to identify large animals.In those instances, the driver would receive a warning and, if no action was taken, the car could automatically apply the brakes. However, the system was unable to alert nearby vehicles. Volvo has been looking out for animals for decades: Its 2013 models featured Animal Detection technology, while 2015 Volvos gained Interior Large Animal Detection Other safety updates coming to your VolvoA new Vulnerable Road User Alert has also been introduced, highlighting potential dangers involving pedestrians and cyclists detected on or near the road.The new Roadwork Alert warns drivers when roadworks are detected ahead, while Accident Ahead Alert uses real-time connected data to provide advance warning of incidents further up the road.These join Volvo's existing Slippery Road Alert and Hazard Light Alert systems, among other connected safety features already available in its vehicles.As is typical of Volvo, the information will not be kept exclusively within its own ecosystem. Instead, the data can also be shared through the European Data for Road Safety system, to which manufacturers including Ford, BMW, Volkswagen Group and Geely are signed up.This means appropriate alerts can also be passed to other vehicle manufacturers and national traffic management centres.Åsa Haglund, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, said: 'Built on decades of our real-world safety insight, these innovations represent another step towards our vision of zero collisions.'Every time a Volvo car shares safety intelligence, it helps other drivers prepare earlier, avoid accidents and feel safer.'SAVE MONEY, MAKE MONEYUp to £250 cashbackUp to £250 cashback2.5% cashback when investing at least £2004.61% cash Isa4.61% cash IsaTrading 212: 1.01% fixed 12-month bonus£200 Sipp cashback£200 Sipp cashbackFund a pension with at least £20,000Up to £150 cashbackUp to £150 cashbackOpen a savings account with at least £5,000Welcome bonusWelcome bonusGet up to £200 when you invest £100Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Terms and conditions apply on all offers.