For the 2021 model year, Volvo introduced its first fully electric vehicle (EV): the XC40 P8 Recharge. Equipped with a 78-kWh lithium-ion battery, dual electric motors, and permanent 4-wheel drive, the 402-horsepower EV supplies 208 miles of range and an EPA-rated 79 MPGe. It uses 43 kWh of electricity for every 100 miles of travel.
Now, the EPA is reporting range and efficiency improvements for the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge. The new figures are 223 miles of range, 85 MPGe, and 39 kWh/100 miles.
The improvements are welcome news to Volvo fans concerned about the SUV’s driving range. Though a majority of EV owners come nowhere near 223 miles of daily driving and typically recharge their vehicle’s battery overnight using a Level 2 home charging station, driving range remains a priority for people who buy or are considering the purchase of an electric car. A Consumer Reports survey released at the end of 2020 suggested that people prefer at least 300 miles of range from an EV.
To assuage range anxiety, Volvo has partnered with ChargePoint to provide XC40 Recharge buyers with easy access to more than 80 percent of the available AC and DC public charging stations in America. Volvo says the XC40 Recharge is compatible with up to 150-kW DC fast chargers and can go from a 5-percent battery charge to an 80-percent battery charge in about 40 minutes. Owners can pay for charging from the ChargePoint in-car app, eliminating the need to swipe a credit card.
Additionally, the 2022 XC40 Recharge now includes 250 kW of complimentary charging through Electrify America, another charging station network. Owners must use the free electricity within the first three years of purchasing their EV.
Volvo’s second EV model, the C40 Recharge, is based on the XC40 Recharge. It features a faster roofline for a coupe-style appearance. Both the 2022 C40 Recharge and the 2022 XC40 Recharge are available with a new Ultimate trim level. The lower-priced XC40 Recharge comes standard with Plus trim.
As applied to the C40 Recharge, Ultimate specification includes 20-inch aluminum wheels, pixel LED lighting, Google-embedded Android-based infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, Harman Kardon premium sound system, surround-view camera, and Pilot Assist, Volvo’s hands-on Level 2 semi-autonomous driving technology.
The new 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge arrives in the United States by the end of 2021.
