Overview
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-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 has already deployed a test fleet of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2010 and had launched the first plug-in hybrid diesel cars in 2012. Volvo Cars Recharge is the sub-brand for all electric vehicles (EVs) developed by the automotive company.
The automotive manufacturer has an ambition to achieve 50% sales from pure electric cars and the remaining 50% from plug-in hybrid electric cars by 2025. The company is also committed to becoming ‘climate neutral’ across the value chain by 2040. The Volvo electric vehicle (EV) current portfolio includes:
- C40 Recharge Pure Electric Crossover
- Volvo EX30 Pure Electric SUV
- Volvo EX90 Pure Electric SUV
- XC40 Recharge Pure Electric SUV
- XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid SUV
- XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid SUV
- XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid SUV
- S60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Saloon
- S90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Saloon
- V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Estate
- V90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Estate
Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid SUV
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.
The Volvo PHEV SUV is worth consideration 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 Recharge PHEV further enhances this enviable reputation, given the environment-friendly nature of lower emission plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
The Volvo plug-in hybrid has a 10.7 kWh onboard EV battery, with a WLTP certified pure electric range up to 28.6 miles. Not the most impressive electric range, but quite typical of many PHEVs in this segment.
The real-world EV range will be lower, possibly closer to 22 miles (emission-free). Many factors influence the real-world range, to include: driving style, temperature, elevation, wind, rain, road surface, tyres, onboard services used etc. However, the EV still has much to offer those keen to save money by driving on pure electric mode.
Depending on where the EV is charged and the cost of charging, driving an electric car will cost between 5 pence and 10 pence per mile i.e. far cheaper compared to calling on the internal combustion engine (ICE). A 22 miles EV range can be leveraged for city driving and shorter commutes i.e. school-run, high street, grocery shopping and even commuting to work.
Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for charging an electric car.
A ‘topping up’ approach to charging will help improve the overall efficiency of the electric vehicle and also improve the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Volvo offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty. The PHEV has a 3.6 kW onboard charger and can be fully charged in 3 hours. The PHEV is not capable of DC charging, which is disappointing, given the more premium badge and price tag. Having said that, most plug-in hybrid electric cars are not DC charging compatible.
Of course, driving regularly on the electric mode will further improve the fuel economy of the vehicle i.e. lower motoring costs. The automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 134.5 mpg, but achieving anything close to this, will require taking advantage of the e-mode! In any case, the PHEV will deliver a better fuel economy, compared to the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant.
The EV has three driving modes: pure electric, hybrid and power. To achieve maximum vehicle efficiency, we recommend using the pure electric and hybrid mode, as often as possible. Moreover, the pure electric mode offers a more refined and quieter drive.
The performance of the front-wheel drive Volvo XC40 plug-in electric is decent. The electric vehicle (EV) combines a 1.5-litre (three-cylinder) petrol engine with an onboard electric motor, powered by the EV battery. The T5 plug-in hybrid can achieve 0-62 mph in 7.3 seconds (262 hp/ 425 Nm). The T4 plug-in hybrid can achieve 0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds (211 hp/ 405 Nm). Both variants deliver a 112 mph top speed.
The interior cabin is spacious and practical, though the boot space is compromised due to the placement of the onboard EV battery (452 L), but remains useful!
The EV offers a host of safety features and technology, to include: 360° parking view, cross traffic alert, blind spot information system, advanced air purifier (prevents up to 80 per cent of hazardous PM 2.5 particles entering the cabin), pre-heat, pre-cool and more! It also offers partially recycled carpets and leather free upholstery.
Company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-14%) tax rate for the PHEV, given the lower tailpipe emission of the PHEV (49g CO2/km). The EV does not qualify for the UK government plug-in car grant (PiCG).
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!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good build and reliable | An expensive PHEV. Cheaper options available |
| Use of more sustainable materials for the interior cabin | Four-wheel drive not available |
| Good level of standard equipment and features | Electric range does not inspire |
Gallery
The Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit: Volvo)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV |
| Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
| Engine: | Electric/ Petrol |
| Available In UK: | Yes |
| Variants (3 Options) |
|---|
| Volvo XC40 Recharge Core (from £41,150) |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge Plus (from £44,450) |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge Ultimate (from £51,600) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 10.7 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 49g – 47g (CO2/km) |
| EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | £1.27 |
| Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | £1.67 |
| Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | £1.73 |
| Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | £1.89 |
| Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | £2.03 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1652 |
| Width (mm): | 2034 |
| Length (mm): | 4440 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2702 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.4 |
| Boot Space (L): | 452 |
| Volvo XC40 T 4 Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 10.7 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 28.6 miles |
| Electric Consumption (kWh/62 miles): | 15.4 |
| Fuel Consumption (mpg): | 134.5 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 112 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 8.5 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 81 |
| Horsepower (hp): | 211 |
| Torque (Nm): | 405 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (kg): | 2,290 |
| Colours: | 9 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
| Volvo XC40 T 5 Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 10.7 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 28 miles |
| Electric Consumption (kWh/62 miles): | 15.5 |
| Fuel Consumption (mpg): | 128.4 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 112 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 7.3 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 81 |
| Horsepower (hp): | 262 |
| Torque (Nm): | 425 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (kg): | 2,290 |
| Colours: | 9 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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