Volvo’s XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is available to order in the UK, with the 249 mile EV starting at £53,155 (exc. grant).
The Swedish firm’s first pure-electric model is based on the popular XC40 SUV, and features a 78 kWh (75 kWh usable) battery, powering a pair of electric motors. These are placed on each axle for all-wheel drive, and combine to produce 300 kW (402 hp).
Volvo has revealed the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric T8 will be one of the safest cars on the road when it arrives. It’s also the first of five electric Volvos to be launched in the next five years, and that’s excluding Volvo’s performance sub-brand Polestar’s forthcoming EVs.
Charging at up to 11 kW AC can be carried out, and the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric T8 has ultra-rapid DC charging capabilities at up to 150 kW. This reduces charging times to 80% down to around 40 minutes.
Maximising packaging benefits, there is more storage space than in a conventionally powered XC40, with space available under the bonnet. The XC40 Recharge T8 will also be the first to use Volvo’s new Google Android-powered infotainment system.
With existing XC40 models already available with plug-in hybrid and conventional powertrains, the smallest of Volvo’s SUVs is set to become one of the most versatile models on sale currently.
Launch specification is R-Design trim, and the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric T8 is available to order now from £53,155. This currently has no UK Plug-in Car Grant applied as the model is yet to be approved. At current prices, the XC40 would receive no grant anyway, as it costs more than £50,000. However, if this reduces with lower-/entry-level specifications, the XC40 Recharge T8 meets all other criteria for the Plug-in Car Grant.
Order books are open now, with UK deliveries expected to start early 2021.
