Volvo XC40 Goes Electric

Today Volvo took their first step into their electrified future as they announced the new XC40 Recharge, the brand’s first fully electric vehicle. The genius in the XC40 Recharge is that it is based on Volvo’s compact modular architecture meaning that it uses the same platform as the currently available XC40. The advantage here is that by using the same platform for EV and ICE cars Volvo can cut costs tremendously by not having to manufacture two separate platforms.

I wouldn’t call the original XC40 elegant like I would for other Volvo cars, but it sure is stylish. With classic Volvo design cues like the Thor’s hammer headlights and the muscular yet understated exterior the XC40 is quite the looker, even for a compact SUV. The XC40 Recharge is nearly identical to its ICE sibling except for the usual EV designs like a covered grill and absence of tailpipes. It will be available in eight colors, including the lovely sage green metallic seen above.

Moving onto the specs of Volvo’s first venture into electrification, the XC40 Recharge contains two electric motors, one each at the front and rear, providing 408 horsepower which propels the XC40 Recharge from 0-60 in a swift time of 4.7 seconds. It has a 78 kWh battery, and Volvo says that it will have at least 200 miles of range. Along with being Volvo’s electric debut, it is also the debut of their new infotainment system powered by Google Android’s operating system.

As for the future? Volvo has made their intentions as clear as water from a Swedish glacier. CEO of Volvo, Håkan Samuelsson, stated that “for Volvo Cars, the future is electric”. Today they reinforced their plans for an electric future with hopes that hybrids and electric cars will each account for 50% of their global sales by 2025. Additionally, Volvo plans to release a new electric car every year for the next five years.

The XC40 Recharge is just one of many more electric cars to come from the recently revived luxury marque. Are you a fan of Volvo’s plans to go electric? Let me know below.