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 XC40 conventional petrol and diesel variant has been available since 2017. The original XC40 SUV was awarded the prestigious Car of The Year accolade by WhatCar? in 2018.
However, Volvo has always had an intention to create a fully-electric (battery-electric vehicle) version of this compact SUV. Currently, the automotive manufacturer also offers a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and mild hybrid variant of this SUV.
The pure electric Recharge was unveiled in October 2019. Like the internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, the all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge is also based on the Volvo 40.1 Concept.
The XC40 electric has the same EV battery size as the C40 Recharge (78 kWh). The manufacturer claims a zero-emission electric range up to 262 miles (WLTP). Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the EV delivers a useful and practical electric range, for most day-to-day needs and for longer distance motorway driving.
For those new to electric driving, a number of factors impact the claimed range. These include: driving profile, weather conditions, road surface, wheel size, onboard services used, passenger load and more. The electric car also incorporates regenerative braking to increase the efficiency and electric range. A pure electric range closer to 220 miles is more realistic.
The all-electric compact Volvo SUV is perfect for families already familiar with the advantages of owning and driving a Volvo car i.e. a fantastic reputation for safety and quality. Of course, the electric XC40 Recharge further enhances this enviable reputation, given the environment-friendly nature of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) i.e. no tailpipe pollution!
The Volvo EV offers DC charging up to 130 kW. The EV can be charged up to 80% in 28 minutes. It is worth noting that the more recent EVs, in particular, in the premium segment, offer faster DC charging capability. Having said that, 28 minutes is just enough time for a coffee break and motorway rest!
The EV does incorporate a three-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard (0%-100%: 7 hours). Given that most homes in the UK are powered by single-phase power supply, most of us will not be able to take advantage of the three-phase onboard charger. Single-phase EV charging (7.4 kW) will take longer!
In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive (FWD) XC40 electric SUV can achieve 0-62 mph in 7.4 seconds (maximum power: 231 PS/ torque: 330 Nm). The top speed for the EV is 99 mph. Of course, the electric car also benefits from instant torque.
The e-SUV is practical and versatile without compromising on quality and comfort. The rear seats are comfortable for adults, with ample legroom and headroom. The EV offers a 452 L boot space. Also included as standard are: a new generation 12-inch driver information display, 9-inch centre display, instant access to built-in Google apps and services and more.
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 All-Electric Volvo XC40 Recharge SUV (credit: Volvo)
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