Everything You Need to Know About Volvo Electric Cars
Volvo has high hopes for their electric future after the debut of their innovative XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models.
The XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models are
Volvo’s
first steps into the electric vehicle market, but there’s plenty more to come along the Swedish automaker’s roadmap to becoming a fully electric brand by 2030.Considering the electric vehicle market is expected to be worth over $980 billion by 2028, it only makes sense that many traditional automakers are getting in on the action.
Here to walk you through Volvo’s EV progress is
Jerry
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broker and the first super app
for car owners. We’ll take a look at Volvo’s current EV offerings, how they compare to the competition, and how you can plan for the future with affordable insurance. RECOMMENDED
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Does Volvo have electric cars?
Volvo currently offers two fully-electric vehicles, the XC40 Recharge mid-size SUV and C40 Recharge crossover. However, this is just the beginning. Volvo hopes to have an all-electric lineup by 2030. Let’s look at the two models currently available:
2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge
Starting price: $51,700 - $52,795
Powertrain: Two electric motors totaling 402 hp and 486 lb-ft torque
Driving range: 223 miles
Charging time: 8 hours at 220 volts
Many critics claim that the designs of electric vehicles are excessively modern. Volvo took this industry critique to heart when creating the XC40 Recharge. They have maintained the traditional and luxurious style that Volvo enthusiasts expect, all while equipping the XC40 Recharge with a 75-kWh battery and innovative 402 hp electric dual motor engine—it’s the perfect combo.
The dual-motor setup has a very specific responsibility. One generates power for the front wheels while the other functions for the rear wheels, resulting in full-time four-wheel drive.
The powertrain isn’t the only thing innovative about the XC40 Recharge, it is also equipped with Google's Android Automotive infotainment system.
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge
Starting price: $58,750 - $59,845
Powertrain: Two electric motors totaling 402 hp and 487 lb-ft torque
Driving range: 200 to 225 miles
Charging time: 8 hours at 220-volt
The Volvo C40 Recharge has the same drive train setup as the XC40 Recharge, which inherently produces similar performance metrics.
While the similarities aren’t visually noticeable, the differences are. The C40 Recharge is a sleek and powerful hatchback. The dramatic rear roofline and brute front end almost make it look like an electric blend of the
Dodge Charger
and Subaru Outback
.How do Volvo’s electric cars compare to competitors?
Now that we’ve introduced you to Volvo’s electric suitors, it’s time to see how they stack up against the competition.
Evaluating an electric vehicle is different than evaluating a car with an internal combustion engine, as the metrics and standard baselines are entirely reoriented. For example, the XC40 Recharge produces almost double the amount of horsepower compared to the gas-powered XC40, setting a whole new standard for what a lot of horsepower means.
Our analysis will focus on three key components: Range, charging time, performance, and affordability over time.
Driving range and charging time
Charging infrastructure isn’t nearly as developed compared to the gas industry, which seems to have a station on every corner. One day we’ll get there, but until then, we have to be very conscious of driving range and charging time. Here’s what you can expect from the field:
Model | Driving range | Charging time at 220v | Charging time with DC fast charger |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge | 223 miles | 8 hrs | 10-80% in 37 min |
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge | 200-225 miles | 8 hrs | 10-80% in 37 min |
2022 BMW iX | 324 miles | 10.25 hrs | 0-80% in 35 min |
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB | 260 miles | 6 hrs | 10-80% in 30 min |
2022 Kia EV6 | 310 miles | 7 hrs | 10-80% in 18 mins |
2022 Kia Niro EV | 239 miles | 9 hrs | 10-80% in 1 hr |
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 220-303 miles | 6 hrs | 10-80% in 18 min |
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric | 258 miles | 10 hrs | 10-80% in 75 min |
2022 Volkswagen ID.4 | 280 miles | 7.5 hrs | 0-80% in 38 min |
2022 Tesla Model Y | 303-330 miles | 10 hrs | 10-80% in 22 min |
2022 Tesla Model X | 335-351 miles | 6.5-10 hrs | 10-80% in under 30 min |
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As you can see in the chart, Volvo EVs are towards the bottom of the driving range competition, but the differences are marginal. Many people are simply driving to work and back, so more than 200 miles is plenty for daily use. On the other hand, if you’re traveling cross-country, it will be annoying regardless of if you drive 200 or 300 miles at a time.
Only time will tell how battery technology evolves and which automaker rises to the top.
Performance
The
Tesla Model X
reigns supreme when it comes to horsepower, torque, and 0-60 speed. Keep in mind that performance specs vary based on tuning and trim levels.Here’s how the competition stacks up:
Model | Maximum horsepower | Maximum torque | 0 to 60 time |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge | 402 hp | 486 lb-ft | 4.7 seconds |
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge | 402 hp | 487 lb-ft | 4.7 seconds |
2022 BMW iX | 516 hp | 564 lb-ft | 4.6 seconds |
As you can see, these electric engines can pump out some serious power! So let’s put the competition aside for a moment and look at some in-house Volvo specs.
The internal combustion
Volvo XC40
can only produce 248 horsepower at most, which pales in comparison to the 402 horsepower that the XC 40 Recharge can generate. Cost of ownership
Considering Volvo’s electric cars have only been in production for two years now, the 5-year data on the true cost of ownership is still unavailable. But, we would like to make note of a few things that can make your initial $50,000+ investment more reasonable.
Many electric vehicle owners qualify for up to a $7,500 federal tax credit, along with
extra rebates and incentives
from local and state governments and power companies. And let us not forget about the savings at the gas pump! Electric vehicles, on average, cost $30-$60 per month to charge from home—that’s hardly one tank of gas in today’s market!
If these ownership perks still aren’t enough to front the sticker price, you could always look into
more affordable electric vehicle options
—albeit they won’t be quite as luxurious as a brand new Volvo.How to decide if going electric is right for you
So far, we’ve covered the more superfluous details of electric vehicle ownership, but what about the fundamental questions of practicality? Unfortunately, current technology and infrastructure are not in a position to make electric vehicles the right choice for everyone quite yet.
But as we progress, here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine if you are capable of making the transition:
- Do you have access to public charging stations? Public DC fast-charging stations can recharge most electric vehicles from 10-80% in roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Therefore, having access to one of these stations is a huge perk.
- How many miles do you drive each day? Volvo’s EVs are good for 200 to 225 miles of range on a full charge. So if your daily mileage is less than that, you should be good!
- How often do you go on trips over 200-300 miles? An EV might not be a practical transportation choice if you are a frequent intercity traveler.
- Do you have a garage at home? Living in an apartment or a facility without easy access to electricity can pose a hurdle for electric vehicle ownership.
Volvo’s electric future
Recent reports suggest that Volvo is well on its way to becoming an all-electric brand by 2030. Expect the Swedish automaker to churn out upwards of five new EVs in the next few years to accompany the XC40 Recharge and the C40 Recharge. Volvo has been outfitting and upscaling its 2.3-million-square-foot
South Carolina
assembly plant to help achieve its ambitious goals.Plan for the future with affordable car insurance
Sooner rather than later, weekly stops at the gas station will become a thing of the past. Instead, you’ll be able to recharge your vehicle from the comfort of your own home. And with the
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