EV Only
Volvo today committed to retiring the gasoline-powered internal-combustion engine from its vehicle line for good. By the 2030 model year, the Swedish automotive brand will offer only fully electric vehicles, with a plan to go completely carbon neutral by 2040. To this end, Volvo also introduces its first electric-only vehicle — the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge. Volvo plans to bring several additional EVs to market over the next few years.
Investing in the Future
“To remain successful, we need profitable growth. So instead of investing in a shrinking business, we choose to invest in the future — electric and online,” said Hakan Samuelsson, chief executive at Volvo. “We are fully focused on becoming a leader in the fast-growing premium electric segment,” Samuelsson noted.
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge
The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge is the first model in Volvo’s history to be designed and produced exclusively as an electric vehicle. A compact four-door crossover coupe, the C40 Recharge features a new front-end design — similar to the XC40 Recharge — that will become the style adopted by future Volvo EVs. Most noticeable is the blank grille flanked by high-tech headlights that incorporate advanced pixel technology.
Leather Free
The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge interior is completely free of any leather materials, and the automaker has committed to all future EVs being leather free as well.
Android Operating System
The new infotainment system in the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge gets built on the Android operating system, which provides easy customization as well as access to Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store. The C40 comes with unlimited data and is capable of receiving over-the-air software updates.
Power
The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge derives power from dual electric motors — one at the front, one at the rear — with a total output of 402 horsepower. Performance should be impressive; Volvo claims the C40 will sprint to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds.
Battery
According to Volvo, the C40’s 78 kWh battery provides a range of around 210 miles. A fast charger bring the battery to 80 percent charge in about 40 minutes, while a Level 2 charger will take about 8 hours.
Future of Volvo
“The C40 Recharge represents the future of Volvo and shows where we are going,” said Henrik Green, chief technology officer at Volvo. “It is fully electric, offered online only with a convenient care package and will be available for quick delivery. Getting a new Volvo was never this attractive,” Green observed.
Online Shopping
Today Volvo also announced some major changes to the company’s business model — all new-vehicle purchases will be made online with the Care by Volvo system. The C40 Recharge will be the first vehicle available exclusively via this new method. To simplify the ordering process, the C40 Recharge (and future electric Volvos) will be available in a small number of specific configurations at preset prices. Cars will be available by subscription or for outright purchase.
Simplification
“The future of Volvo Cars is defined by three pillars: electric, online and growth,” said Lex Kerssemakers, head of Volvo global commercial operations. “We want to offer our customers peace of mind and a care-free way of having a Volvo, by taking away complexity while getting and driving the car. Simplification and convenience are key to everything we do,” noted Kerssemakers.
Coming Next Year
The brand-new 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge will go into production this fall, built alongside the fully electric XC40 Recharge at Volvo’s manufacturing plant in Ghent, Belgium. Look for this new model to start arriving in showrooms early next year.
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