2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Unveiled – Volvo’s First Native Battery Electric
By Edward A. Sanchez – March 2, 2021
One of the brands arguably not receiving its fair share of publicity in the electrification race is Volvo. Maybe the automotive media felt the company was crying wolf in 2017 when it claimed it would be “fully electrified” by 2025. While some of the more naïve reporters and journalists reported this as “electric,” what it really meant was by that time, all of the company’s vehicles would be either hybrid, PHEV, or BEV. Today, the company has since committed to a fully BEV lineup by 2030. As part of that initiative, the company today unveiled the C40 Recharge BEV, a handsome crossover coupe that blends some stylistic elements of the XC40 and the Polestar 2.
The C40 follows the trend of brands introducing a “coupe” variant of popular crossover models to buyers who want some of the versatility of a crossover, but don’t necessarily need the full passenger or cargo capacity of more traditional two-box crossover SUVs. Volvo claims the C40 is the first vehicle in the history of the company to be designed purely as a BEV, with no ICE, hybrid, or PHEV variants planned. Like the XC40 Recharge BEV and Polestar 2, the C40 features an Android-based infotainment system – Android Automotive, not to be confused with Android Auto – with over-the-air update capability.
Also like its BEV siblings, it features a 78 kWh battery pack, with a claimed range of 261 miles, although that estimate is based on the notoriously generous WLTP standards. Expect an EPA figure of a little over 200 miles. For comparison, the XC40 Recharge has an EPA-rated range of 208 miles, and the Polestar 2 has an EPA rating of 233 miles.
As part of the sale or lease of a C40, customers will get an inclusive “care” package that will include service, warranty, roadside assistance, and insurance and home charger installation (when applicable).
Another big change coming with the introduction of the C40 is Volvo’s move to online-only sales. However, due to entangling dealer franchise laws in many states and locales, Volvo will still utilize dealers for vehicle final delivery, warranty, and service work. Therein, Volvo will enforce a strict “no-haggle” pricing policy on new vehicle sales.
The C40 will start production in fall 2021, and will be built in Ghent, Belgium, alongside the XC40 Recharge. Pricing will be announced closer to its on-sale date.
(Images courtesy Volvo)
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