Volvo's XC40 to Be the Brand's First Electric Model

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Electric, not electrified, as you can already find several Volvo models boasting a plug and a combination of gasoline and electric propulsion. The automaker best remembered for keeping the 240 in production with only minimal changes for two decades now wants to pin the technology pedal to the floor, setting a goal of having 50 percent of its customers drive away in fully electric vehicles by 2025.

Ambitious, to say the least. The first electric model would come along in 2019, the automaker stated earlier this year, while keeping the identity of the model under wraps. We now know it’s the XC40, which should comes as no shock to anyone.

In an interview with Britain’s Autocar, the head of Volvo’s Polestar division, Thomas Ingenlath, said the newly launched compact crossover will forge a path for all other Volvo models to follow. (Models launched after 2019 will arrive with mild hybrid, hybrid, and battery electric variants.)

“It’s not a secret anymore that the first full-electric Volvo is on its way with the XC40 coming,” said Ingenlath. “It will arrive very soon after the Polestar 2. That is the first to come that’s not exotic. We’ll start with XC40 and then on it will come step after step into our model range. The next car will be the next-generation XC90.”

The Polestar 2 is the cheaper follow-up to the vastly expensive coupe unveiled last year by the newly standalone Polestar brand. The coupe finds its first carefully selected customers this year. A Polestar 2, arriving next year as an all-electric midsize sedan, should be much more attainable for “regular” buyers. It has the Tesla Model 3 in its sights.

Comments made by U.S. Volvo chief Lex Kerssemaker last year revealed the XC40 EV should travel roughly 250 miles between charges, retailing in the high $30k range. That seems to be the sweet spot most automakers are aiming for.

Unlike other automakers, Volvo prefers an EV stable that’s not separate from its regular offerings. All EVs bearing the brand’s name will be electric variants of existing models.

The stock XC40 made its sales appearance at the beginning of the year. Since January, some 3,588 Americans drove home an XC40, with 1,105 of the vehicles leaving dealer lots in May.

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Ajla Ajla on Jun 25, 2018

    The sooner Volvo can go EV and drop that underwhelming, skunkmeat twin-charged T6 the better.

    • See 2 previous
    • Garrett Garrett on Jun 26, 2018

      Have you actually driven a T6 for more than a loop around a dealership (if at all)? The current T6 is actually better than the old T6 in the XC60. It pulls hard when you put the hammer down, and out fuel economy wen from 18.5mpg to about 23mpg in mixed driving (on an engine that’s not fully broken in). Better fuel economy, better transmission, no performance penalty... It’s an all around win. The only complaint I have is that the Polestar tune is how it should come from the factory. The updated throttle response and transmission mapping are spot on - better for passing on the freeway as well.

  • LRSIII LRSIII on Jun 26, 2018

    I'd be loving a pure electric V90 wagon. I just think the V90 is gorgeous, and I've been sorely tempted to buy one. Just not loving a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder on an almost $70,000 car.

    • See 1 previous
    • LRSIII LRSIII on Jun 26, 2018

      @Garrett No, I haven't. Right now, I'm not really interested in gasoline-engined utility vehicles. I like them for performance cars (my current daily driver is a 2016 Shelby GT350), but I'd like a pure-electric utility vehicle (I'm throwing wagons in with SUVs) as a second car. My normal drive-cycle would work just fine with a decent-range electric. Plus, I have a 3-car garage with a 220-volt outlet already installed for each space.

  • EBFlex China can F right off.
  • MrIcky And tbh, this is why I don't mind a little subsidization of our battery industry. If the American or at least free trade companies don't get some sort of good start, they'll never be able to float long enough to become competitive.
  • SCE to AUX Does the WTO have any teeth? Seems like countries just flail it at each other like a soft rubber stick for internal political purposes.
  • Peter You know we’ve entered the age of self driving vehicles When KIAs go from being stolen to rolling away by themselves.
  • Analoggrotto TTAC is full of drug addicts with short memories. Just beside this article is another very beautiful article about how the EV9 was internationally voted by a renowned board of automotive experts who are no doubt highly educated, wealthy and affluent; the best vehicle in entire world. That's planet earth for you numbskulls. Let me repeat: the best vehicle in the world is the Kia EV9. Voted, and sealed, and if you try to deny it Fanny Willis is ready to prosecute you; but she will send her boyfriend instead because she is busy.
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