Volvo has unveiled the new C40 Recharge, the latest manifestation of the company’s commitment to a zero-emission future. The second purely electric car in its current portfolio, the C40 Recharge is the first to be offered exclusively with electric drive.
Unlike earlier Volvo “C” models, the C40 is not a compact car in Golf format. As an SUV offshoot of the XC40 Recharge, the C40 has all the benefits of an SUV along with a lower and sleeker design.
The new model uses the familiar electric drive from the electric XC40: one 150 kW electric motor each on the front and rear axles bring the C40 to a system output of 300 kW. The electricity is stored in a 78 kWh battery. While the XC40, which weighs around 2.2 tons, has a range of 418 kilometres according to WLTP, Volvo states a range of 420 kilometres for the 4.43-meter-long C40.
Henrik Green, chief technology officer at Volvo Cars, said:
“The Volvo C40 Recharge represents the future of Volvo and shows where we are going. It is fully electric and will be offered exclusively online at attractive all-inclusive conditions and with short delivery times.”
The C40 is to be built together with the XC40 (in all engine versions) on one line at Volvo’s Ghent plant in Belgium, where a battery assembly line has also been set up to combine the purchased modules into ready-to-install packs. At least for the twin C40/XC40, Volvo does not have to build different battery packs: both vehicles share the CMA platform, which Volvo developed jointly with parent company Geely.
The rear of the C40 Recharge features a striking rear-end design to go with the lower roof line, while the new front design introduces a new face for electric Volvos and includes headlights with state-of-the-art pixel technology. Unlimited data enables superior connectivity and – like the recent announcement for the XC40 – the C40 Recharge will receive over-the-air software updates.
The C40 will only be available for purchase online
Volvo is not yet quoting prices for the C40, but will only sell such electric vehicles online. The C40 will, presumably, only be available on a subscription basis to start with – either with a flexible term or one fixed at 36 months. The online purchase process is still under development, but will be introduced shortly.
The C40 Recharge will go into production this autumn and will likely come with a care package including items such as servicing, warranty, roadside assistance, as well as insurance and home charging options.
Volvo to become fully electric by 2030
Following the introduction of the XC40 Recharge and now the C40 Recharge, Volvo Cars will roll out several additional electric models in the coming years and is aiming for 50 per cent of its global sales volume to consist of fully electric models by 2025, with the rest hybrids. It plans for every car it sells to be pure electric by 2030.
“There is no long-term future for cars with an internal combustion engine,” said CTO Henrik Green. “We are firmly committed to becoming an electric-only car maker, and the transition should happen by 2030.”
