Volvo charges to a cleaner future

October 4, 2020

Advertisement

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 is the first of several fully electric Volvos we can look forward to, and the start of its production this month represents a significant step towards Volvo Cars’ ambition to reduce its CO2 footprint per car by 40 per cent by 2025.

That same year, it expects 50 per cent of its global sales to consist of fully electric cars, with the rest hybrids.

Customer demand for the XC40 Recharge P8 has been strong and, while order books remain open, every car scheduled to be built this calendar year has already been sold. The first cars are scheduled to be delivered to customers in Europe later this month.

Advertisement

The start of customer car production follows a period of preparation in which the Ghent plant has built a limited number of pre-production cars. This process, standard procedure for every new model, aims to optimise the production flow and ensure top-notch quality of every car built. All relevant production staff have also received extensive training on safely building electric cars.

“Today is a momentous occasion for Volvo Cars and for all employees here in Ghent,” said Javier Varela, Head of Global Industrial Operations and Quality. “As we continue to electrify our line-up, the Ghent plant is a real trailblazer for our global manufacturing network.”

As a fully electric version of the best-selling XC40 SUV, the first Volvo to win the prestigious European Car of the Year award, the XC40 Recharge P8 is based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), an advanced vehicle platform co-developed within the Geely Group.

The all-wheel-drive XC40 Recharge P8 offers a projected range of more than 249 miles (WLTP) on a single charge and output of 408hp. The battery can charge to 80 per cent of its capacity in approximately 40 minutes on a fast-charger system.

The new, Android-powered infotainment system offers customers unprecedented personalisation, improved levels of intuitiveness and embedded Google technology and services, such as the Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store. The XC40 Recharge P8 also receives larger software and operating system updates over the air.

While building on the excellent safety standards of the original XC40, Volvo Cars’ safety engineers have completely redesigned and reinforced the frontal structure to address the absence of an engine, meet Volvo’s high safety requirements and help keep people as safe as in any other Volvo.

The battery pack is protected by a safety cage embedded in the middle of the car’s body structure. Its placement in the floor of the car also lowers the vehicle’s centre of gravity, for better protection against roll-overs.

Inside, an innovative approach to all-round functionality gives drivers plenty of storage space, for example in the doors, under the seats and in the luggage compartment. Because it has no internal combustion engine, the car gives drivers even more storage space via a so-called ‘frunk’ under the bonnet.

NEXT:

Latest News

Toyota Corolla

Toyota’s 5,000,000th milestone in the UK

Toyota is celebrating the five millionth car to be built at its Burnaston
[...]
Skoda Karoq

Skoda Karoq gains a new Edition trim

Skoda is ramping up customer value once again with a comprehensive refresh of
[...]
Kia EV3 boot liner The Ocean Cleanup

Kia boot liner made from ocean plastic

Kia has developed the world’s first car accessory made from plastic extracted from
[...]
Nissan Ariya NISMO

Buckle up for the Nissan Ariya NISMO

It’s time to buckle up because from this Thursday, 17 October, customers can
[...]
Renault 4 E Tech

New Renault 4 is a nod to its heritage

With a nod to the past, the new Renault 4 E-Tech electric has
[...]
GEM deer warning

Keep a look-out for deer on the road

Road safety and breakdown organisation, GEM Motoring Assist, is warning drivers to be
[...]
VW California

Pop-up fun with latest VW California

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has unveiled the UK specifications for the new California campervan,
[...]
Billy Monger

Toyota helps keep Paralympics moving

In recent weeks the Olympic and Paralympic Games have been a major highlight
[...]
Dacia Spring

Special deals for all-new Dacia Spring

The Dacia Spring – the UK’s most affordable new electric car – is
[...]
Honda HR-V

Fresh look for Honda’s popular HR-V

Honda has refreshed its HR-V e:HEV model line-up with a purposeful facelift across
[...]
Hyundai Inster

Hyundai Inster goes on showroom tour

British customers will get their first chance to see Hyundai’s new Inster model
[...]
MG ZS Hybrid+

Order books open for new MG ZS Hybrid+

MG Motor UK has opened the order books for the all-new MG ZS
[...]
Mercedes AMG PureSpeed

Mercedes-AMG tests out its PureSpeed

Mercedes-AMG is commencing the final phase in the development of the highly exclusive
[...]
VW Golf GTI Clubsport

New VW Golf trims are available soon

The highest-performing versions of the new VW Golf can be ordered from August
[...]
Hyundai Santa Fe Chabak

Hyundai gears up for outdoor fun

From tent pitching to fire making, camping has long been an activity for
[...]
Volvo EX30 Core

A new entry-level Volvo EX30 model

Volvo is extending its UK EX30 range with the introduction of a new
[...]