The Volvo S60 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid Saloon: The Complete Guide For The UK

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Overview

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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

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The Volvo S60 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid Saloon

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The Volvo S60 conventional petrol and diesel saloon variants have been available since 2000. As with other Volvo models, the company has also introduced the S60 as a lower tailpipe-emission plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). In late 2021, the PHEV was upgraded.

The updated Volvo S60 Recharge PHEV has much to offer families and company-car drivers seeking practicality and lower motoring costs. The upgrade of the onboard EV battery has positioned this saloon electric car, as one of the few EVs capable of delivering a real-world emission-free electric range close to 50 miles.

The Volvo S60 plug-in electric car has a 18.8 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 55.9 miles (WLTP certified). This is certainly impressive, given the average EV range of a PHEV (25 miles).

However, the real-world EV range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, passenger load, weather, road condition and more. Assuming a 50 mile emission-free electric range is more realistic, which still remains impressive and can be leveraged for city and motorway driving.

If your driving is predominantly motorway and long-distances, dependent on the internal combustion engine (ICE), it would be a challenge to truly leverage the benefits of zero-tailpipe emission electric driving. However, if the majority of your travel is shorter distances, then the e-mode will certainly prove to be useful in saving money. Do keep in mind that the average distance travelled a day in the UK is a mere 30 miles!

Volvo claims a fuel economy up to an incredible 403.5 mpg! But achieving anything close to this claimed figure, will require using the onboard electric motor, powered by the EV battery on a regular basis. As is the case with the real-world electric range, expect the real-world fuel economy to be lower than the manufacturer claimed figures.

Having said that, the using of the pure electric range will help deliver a far better fuel economy for the vehicle, compared to the conventional S60 petrol engine variant, which has a fuel economy up to 42.2 mpg. In any case, both, the EV range and fuel economy of the upgraded Volvo S60 saloon PHEV position it as class-leading.

Equally impressive is the updated tailpipe emissions data. Volvo claims tailpipe emissions as low as 17g (CO2/km), benefiting the local air quality. The conventional petrol variant has tailpipe emissions up to 153g CO2/km. Moreover, company-car drivers can also take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate given the ultra-low tailpipe emissions of the EV.

Despite the updates, it is disappointing to note that the PHEV does not offer DC charging. The EV has a 3.6 kW onboard charger. The Volvo electric vehicle can be charged 0% to 100% via a dedicated EV charging station in 5 hours. We at e-zoomed recommend a ‘topping up’ approach to EV charging. This way, EV range is available to use and regular charging also improves the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Volvo offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.

The all-wheel drive S60 plug-in electric saloon car combines the T8 powertrain with an electric motor. The EV can achieve 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds (455 hp). The top speed of the EV is 112 mph.

Despite the placement of the onboard EV battery, the EV is practical. The S60 plug-in offers a 391 L boot and ample space, headroom and legroom for passengers.

The interior has been finished to a high standard and offers leather free upholstery and recycled carpets. It also offers a generous level of standard equipment, safety features and technology. These include: google built in, 360° camera, BLIS and cross traffic alert, keyless entry and keyless start, advanced air purifier, intelligent safety assistance and more.

The plug-in hybrid 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!

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PROS	CONS
Impressive emission-free electric range (55.9 miles)	Not capable of DC charging
Good fuel economy (403.5 mpg)	Onboard charger limited to 3.6 kW
Ultra-low tailpipe emissions (17g CO2/km)	Cheaper alternatives available

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The Volvo S60 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid Saloon (credit: Volvo)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body Type:	Saloon
Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG):	Not Available
Engine:	Electric/ Petrol
Available In UK:	Yes

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Variants (2 Options)
Volvo S60 Recharge Plus (from £51,780)
Volvo S60 Recharge Ultimate (from £56,480)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 18.8 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 5 hrs)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	17g (CO2/km)
EV Battery Warranty:	8 years or 100,000 miles

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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.

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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

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1437
Width (mm):	1850
Length (mm):	4761
Wheelbase (mm):	2872
Turning Circle (m):	11.4
Boot Space (L):	391

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Volvo S60 Plug-in Hybrid (T8 AWD plug-in hybrid)
EV Battery Capacity:	18.8 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	55.9 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/62 miles):	17.3
Fuel Consumption (mpg):	403.5
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 5 hrs)
Top Speed:	112 mph
0-62 mph:	4.6 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	N/A
Horsepower (hp):	455
Torque (Nm):	400
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	4
Gross Vehicle Weight (kg):	2,500
Colours:	8
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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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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