Volvo Takes Charge with Lineup Recharge

Volvo has been innovating in the field of electric powertrains since 1976 when the prototype Elbil was built. Volvo recommended cruising at a brisk 30 mph and the almost golf cart sized vehicle could hold its charge for about two hours. Over fifty years later, Volvo’s climate initiative “Volvo Recharge” is a natural progression in terms of technology and a clear statement of their commitment towards sustainable mobility and the reduction of emissions.

The end goal of “Volvo Recharge” is to reduce our carbon footprint by 40% per car by 2025 compared to 2018 and to be climate neutral across their full value chain by 2040. To achieve this ambitious aim, the entire Volvo lineup will be either hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric and they expect by 2025, half of the cars they will be electric. This new ‘recharged’ lineup will remain characteristically Volvo, except not only are they designed to protect your family, they can also help protect their future.

Recharged. Not redesigned.

Introducing, a true urban SUV, the pure electric XC40 Recharge. Seamlessly connected, fit for the way you live, engineered to protect your future, and recharged to be your most personal driving experience. Reaching 100 km/h in less than five seconds and with over 320 km in range (according to the realistic WLTP and EPA), it’s a carbon emission-free XC40, made for you, plus the world we share.

A car should be as intuitive to use as your smartphone. That’s why the pure electric XC40 Recharge pioneers embedded Google services which you can also use to find preferred charging stations near you. Inside the cabin, every inch of the space is intuitively utilized to make your life easier. And when you open the hood, you find a front compartment instead of a bulky combustion engine. It’s the perfect space to keep your charging cables easily accessible and well protected.

Sustainability goes beyond how the vehicle drives which is why Volvo has committed to producing 25% of all plastics in the vehicle from recycled materials. The interior carpeting of the pure electric XC40 Recharge is entirely made of recycled plastic and at the end of the car’s lifecycle, the battery and 95% of the complete car can be recycled.

The battery of the future

The battery in this new line of Volvos are sealed for life and are maintenance-free. The Volvo Cars Warranty for the battery is 8 years or 160,000 km, whichever occurs first, but, if required, it can be replaced just like any other technical part of the car. Volvo Cars works closely with its suppliers to secure responsible supply chains and increasing sustainability of their products and service. They require their battery suppliers to do their due diligence when sourcing metals and minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas and are working towards full traceability. All suppliers must meet sustainability requirements and have to agree to the Volvo Car’s Code of Conduct for Business Partners, which includes the observation of human rights and labour rights.

The charging time of the battery varies, but with a standard charging cable from a household connector would take approximately 40–72 hours to charge from zero to 100%. The most efficient and convenient home charging solution is a 3-phase 11 kW wallbox. This installation can give you approximately 8 hours charging time from empty to 100%. Keep in mind you will likely not often charge all the way to 100% as the last 20% of the charging takes the longest time to achieve. In addition, with good access to charging, be it at home, at work or in the city you will probably fill up the battery whenever the car is parked so range should not be an issue for everyday driving.

Electrified powertrains offer a range of benefits – from reducing emissions during driving and likely lower operating costs, to delivering a more refined drive and responsive acceleration feel on take-off. Visit Volvo Saskatoon to find out how you can electrify your drive.