Volvo’s first vehicle in its all-electric offensive has been revealed in the form of the Volvo XC40 Recharge.
The Swedish car maker has given its entry-level SUV model a 408hp electric motor and a battery range of 249 miles. It can be recharged to 80% of its capacity within 40 minutes on a fast-charging system.
Volvo is planning to add a new all-electric car to its range every year going forward, and says it anticipates 50% of its sales being accounted for by these powertrains by 2025.
The new all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge extends the XC40 range even further, with a plug-in hybrid version set to reach UK roads in February 2020.
Meanwhile, the existing petrol and diesel versions continue to sell well and are highly regarded by the motoring media. The XC40 currently holds a joint class-leading Expert Rating of 82% (shared with the new Range Rover Evoque) on The Car Expert’s unique new Expert Rating system, which aggregates reviews from 18 of the UK’s top motoring titles to provide an overall score.
The Volvo XC40 Recharge will also debut the company’s new infotainment system, which is powered by Android and is integrated with the firm’s On Call mobile phone app, which lets owners interact with their car while not inside it.
Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars, said: “We have said this several times before: for Volvo Cars, the future is electric.
“Today we take a major new step in that direction with the launch of our fully electric XC40 and the Recharge car line.”
The Recharge name is set to be used to denote all Volvo’s future all-electric models, which will be present in every model in its range.
Pricing, specification and on-sale date for the new Volvo XC40 Recharge have yet to be announced.
