The All-Electric Volvo C40 Recharge SUV: The Complete Guide For The UK

Volvo C40 Recharge electric SUV
Price: £47,100
Type of electric vehicle: Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Body type: SUV
Battery size: 78 kWh
Electric range (WLTP): 269.7 miles
Tailpipe emissions: 0g (CO2/km)


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.  

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:



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 All-Electric Volvo C40 Recharge SUV


Though the Volvo C40 pure electric SUV has commonality with the all-electric XC40 Recharge, the C40 has been designed as a compact crossover SUV, with a sportier look. The exterior styling includes a sloping roofline, different to the XC40 exterior styling. The Volvo C40 was released in March 2021. Production commenced in 2021.

The C40 has the same EV battery size as the XC40 (78 kWh). The manufacturer claims a zero-emission electric range up to 270 miles (WLTP). Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the EV delivers a useful and practical electric range, for most day-to-day needs and for longer distance motorway driving.

For those new to electric driving, a number of factors impact the claimed range. These include: driving profile, weather conditions, road surface, wheel size, onboard services used, passenger load and more. The electric car also incorporates regenerative braking to increase the efficiency and electric range. A pure electric range closer to 230 miles is more realistic.

The all-electric compact Volvo SUV is perfect 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 electric Recharge further enhances this enviable reputation, given the environment-friendly nature of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) i.e. no tailpipe pollution!

The Volvo EV offers DC charging up to 130 kW. The EV can be charged up to 80% in 28 minutes. It is worth noting that the more recent EVs, in particular, in the premium segment, offer faster DC charging capability. Having said that, 28 minutes is just enough time for a coffee break and motorway rest!

The EV does incorporate a three-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard (0%-100%: 7 hours). Given that most homes in the UK are powered by single-phase power supply, most of us will not be able to take advantage of the three-phase onboard charger. Single-phase EV charging (7.4 kW) will take longer!

In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive (FWD) C40 electric SUV can achieve 0-62 mph in 7.4 seconds (maximum power: 231 PS/ torque: 330 Nm). The top speed for the EV is 112 mph. Of course, the electric car also benefits from instant torque.

The e-SUV is practical and versatile without compromising on quality and comfort. The rear seats are comfortable for adults, with ample legroom and headroom. The EV offers a 413 L boot space. Also included as standard are: a new generation 12-inch driver information display, 9-inch centre display, instant access to built-in Google apps and services and more.

Company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-2%) tax charge for pure electric cars. 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 pure electric rangeOnly available in one EV battery size
High interior quality using sustainable materials (leather-free interior)Only available as a front-wheel drive (FWD)
130 kW DC rapid charging Sloping roofline not to everyones liking

Gallery


The All-Electric Volvo C40 Recharge SUV (credit: Volvo)


At A Glance
EV Type:Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Body Type:SUV (crossover)
Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG):Not Available
Engine:Electric
Available In UK:Yes

Variants (1 Option)
Volvo C40 C40 Recharge Standard (from £47,100)

EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:Available in one battery size: 78 kWh
Charging:130 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 28 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs)
Charge Port:Type 2
EV Cable Type: Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:0g (CO2/km)
EV Battery Warranty:8 years or 100,000 miles

Average Cost Of Residential Charging
Battery net capacity : 16.7 kWh £2.40
Battery net capacity : 30.0 kWh£4.32
Battery net capacity : 39.2 kWh£5.64
Battery net capacity : 45.0 kWh£6.48
Battery net capacity : 50.0 kWh£7.20
Battery net capacity : 64.0 kWh£9.22
Battery net capacity : 71.0 kWh£10.22
Battery net capacity : 77.0 kWh£11.09
Battery net capacity : 90.0 kWh£12.96
Battery net capacity : 100.0 kWh£14.40
  • 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)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
  • Note 1: SoC: state of charge

Dimensions
Height (mm):1591
Width (mm):1873
Length (mm):4440
Wheelbase (mm):2702
Turning Circle (m):11.8
Boot Space (L):413

Volvo C40 Recharge
EV Battery Capacity:78 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):269.7 miles
Electric Energy Consumption
(kWh/62mi):
18.2
Charging: 130 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 28 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs)
Top Speed:112 mph
0-62 mph:7.4 seconds
Drive: Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):170
Horsepower (hp):231
Torque (Nm): 330
Transmission:Automatic
Seats:5
Doors:5
Weight (kg):2,045
Colours:6
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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Author

Ashvin Suri

Ashvin has been involved with the renewables, energy efficiency and infrastructure sectors since 2006. He is passionate about the transition to a low-carbon economy and electric transportation. Ashvin commenced his career in 1994, working with US investment banks in New York. Post his MBA from the London Business School (1996-1998), he continued to work in investment banking at Flemings (London) and JPMorgan (London). His roles included corporate finance advisory, M&A and capital raising. He has been involved across diverse industry sectors, to include engineering, aerospace, oil & gas, airports and automotive across Asia and Europe. In 2010, he co-founded a solar development platform, for large scale ground and roof solar projects to include, the UK, Italy, Germany and France. He has also advised on various renewable energy (wind and solar) utility scale projects working with global institutional investors and independent power producers (IPP’s) in the renewable energy sector. He has also advised in key international markets like India, to include advising large-scale industrial and automotive group in India. Ashvin has also advised Indian Energy, an IPP backed by Guggenheim (a US$ 165 billion fund). He has also advised a US$ 2 billion, Singapore based group. Ashvin has also worked in the real estate and infrastructure sector, to including working with the Matrix Group (a US$ 4 billion property group in the UK) to launch one of the first few institutional real estate funds for the Indian real estate market. The fund was successfully launched with significant institutional support from the UK/ European markets. He has also advised on water infrastructure, to include advising a Swedish clean technology company in the water sector. He has also been involved with a number of early stage ventures.

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