Volvo XC40 Recharge: Volvo’s first all electric car

The XC40 Recharge: Volvo’s first pure electric car…

Volvo have had a number of plug-in hybrids available for some time, but the XC40 Recharge is the brand’s first venture into an all electric drivetrain, this model will be available as either a full electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Several SUV style electric vehicles (EVs) have been released in the last year. The Hyundai Kona, Mercedes EQC and Audi E-tron (to name just a few) recently joined the Tesla Model X which had been in a lonely electric SUV category of it’s own until 2019! So the XC40 Recharge will be in good company when it becomes available to lease later this year. 

Good to know: ‘”Recharge” will be the name for all fully electric or plug-in hybrid Volvos.

Volvo’s electric goals

In July 2017 BBC NEWS reported Volvo’s commitment to a hybrid or fully electric powertrain for all their new models after 2019. Volvo were the first established car manufacturer to make such a clear statement about electrification.

By 2025 Volvo are aiming for: 

• 50% of their sales volume to be fully electric
• and the brand has committed to putting 1 million electrified cars on the road by this date
• to launch an electric car every year for the next 5 years

Vehicle features & technology

• ‘Frunk’ = storage space under bonnet

• Type 2 and CCS charging connections – these connections have emerged as the European standard configuration
• Rapid charging capability – charge to 80% battery capacity in 40 minutes
• left side rear charging port – not in the ‘nose’ as with some EVs

Battery size

A generous 78kWh battery. Smaller than an Audi e-tron’s 95kWh battery though the Volvo and the Audi can both travel around the same distance per charge. This is probably something to do with the Audi being the heaviest electric SUV on the market, which reduces it’s efficiency somewhat.

Volvo Insight: The fully electric XC40 Recharge features a trunk in the front: the frunk. #VolvoRecharged pic.twitter.com/ZrcmDUDOfz

— Volvo Cars (@volvocars) December 3, 2019

A closer look at the XC40 Recharge. Designed to give you the best experience on the road now and to help protect your future. #XC40Electric #VolvoRecharged pic.twitter.com/j3UO5RKNcw

— Volvo Cars (@volvocars) October 30, 2019

Range

How far can it go? The XC40 Recharge has an official WLTP rating of 264 miles range. We haven’t test driven this EV but we anticipate it will achieve a “real-world” driving range of around 230 miles per charge. If you’re curious about EV range take a look at our helpful guide: “Electric vehicle range: everything you need to know”

We’ve put together a driving range comparison with some other popular electric SUV models below (all figures are official WLTP ratings):

'Tesla Model X' = 314miles (WLTP) range'Mercedes EQC' = 293miles (WLTP) range'Hyundai Kona electric' = 279miles (WLTP) rangeVolvo XC40 Recharge = 264miles (WLTP) range'Audi e-tron' = 259miles (WLTP) range

Charging

When charging this electric vehicle, you access the left side – rear charging port and plug in via a Type 2 (generally for home charging) or CCS (rapid charging) connection.

When rapid charging you can top the ‘XC40 Recharge’ up to 80% battery capacity in 40 minutes. At home on a dedicated electric car charger it will take around 12 hours to charge from flat to full. For more on charging read our handy guides: “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” and “How much does it cost to charge an electric car?”

Pricing coming soon, watch this space!
…in the meantime, take a look at all our electric SUV lease offers:

SUV lease offers

The fully electric XC40 Recharge can fast-charge to the recommended 80% in
around 40 minutes. #VolvoRecharged pic.twitter.com/2BQwdvGAqL

— Volvo Cars (@volvocars) November 26, 2019