Sweden has created its fair share of global brands, but none with a reputation as good as Volvo Cars, when it comes to passenger safety. Volvo cars is an automotive manufacturer based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Volvo Group has a long history of success and was established in 1927. Since then the company has had multiple owners, to include the US based, Ford Motor Company. Its current owner is a Chinese automotive behemoth, Geely Automobile, which acquired Volvo Cars in 2010. Geely also owns the automotive brands Lotus Cars and Polestar.
Volvo Cars was one of the first mainstream OEM’s to commit to a push towards zero-tailpipe emission road transportation. In 2017, the company announced its intention to ‘electrify every car in our range’. Volvo is not new to ‘electric propulsion’ and had already deployed a test fleet of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2010 and had launched the first plug-in hybrid diesel car in 2012. In March 2021, the company announced its ambition to be a fully electric brand by 2030. The company is also committed to becoming ‘climate neutral’ across the value chain by 2040. The name Volvo is derived from Latin. It means “I roll’. The logo is an ancient chemistry sign for iron, signifying Volvo’s commitment to using high quality iron.
The company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
The Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) concept was unveiled in 2012 at the North American International Show. The second generation was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. The electric vehicle (EV) had a facelift in early 2021.
The premium mid-sized XC60 Recharge PHEV was further updated in late 2021, offering a more compelling value proposition for private and company-car drivers. The onboard EV battery was increased to 18.8 kWh, improving its zero-emission electric range up to 48.5 miles (WLTP certified) for the T6 plug-in hybrid variant. The T8 PHEV can deliver up to 46 miles.
Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) should comfortably deliver an emission-free pure electric range over 40 miles, putting it in the class-leading bracket! For those new to electric driving, it is worth noting that many factors influence the real-world electric car range. Some of these include: driving style, temperature, elevation, wind, rain, road surface, tyres, onboard services used etc.
Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for charging an electric car. A ‘topping up’ approach to charging will help improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle and also improve the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Volvo offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.
Despite the updates, it is disappointing to note that the XC60 PHEV does not offer DC charging. The EV has a 3.6 kW onboard charger. The Volvo electric vehicle can be charged 0% to 100% via a dedicated EV charging station in 5 hours.
Also improved is the efficiency of the EV. Volvo claims a fuel economy up to 282.5 mpg. Of course, similar to the real-world electric range, the real-world fuel economy will be impacted by a number of factors.
Bottom-line, achieving anywhere close to the manufacturer claimed economy, the use of the pure electric mode on a regular basis, will be key. Having said that, the XC60 plug-in hybrid will deliver a better fuel economy, compared to the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, if indeed the e-mode is used regularly.
Also improved are the tailpipe emissions for the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The XC60 has tailpipe emission up to 25g CO2/km, benefiting the local air quality. Moreover, company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate, given the lower emissions.
In terms of practicality, cabin space, interior quality, standard equipment, safety features and technology, the Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid proposition is also compelling. The EV offers ample headroom, legroom and even boot space (468 L), despite the placement of the onboard EV battery.
Also on offer are: Google built in, advanced air purifier, head-up display, intelligent safety assistance, blind spot information system, 360° parking view and more. It also offers partially recycled carpets and leather free upholstery.
The all-wheel drive Volvo plug-in hybrid is available in the T6 and T8 powertrain. The EV pairs a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine with an electric motor (107 kW). The T8 variant delivers 455 hp and the T6 delivers 253 hp (350 Nm torque). The top speed is 112 mph.
The EV is suitable for both families and company-car drivers. Company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate for electric cars. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet.
You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!
The Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit: Volvo)
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