First fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge rolled off the production line

Production of the fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge in the Belgian Volvo plant in Gent. The highest quality standards and optimal production ensured in the Ghent plant

Start of production for the first electric car from the Swedish premium brand

This year's production volume has already been fully sold
Vienna. The go-ahead for the fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge: This Thursday (October 1, 2020), series production of the Swedish premium car manufacturer's first electric car started in Ghent, Belgium. The first of several fully electric Volvo vehicles in the coming years will make an important contribution to the company's climate goals: by 2025, CO2 emissions per car are to be reduced by 40 percent. Half of sales will then be attributable to pure e-cars, the rest to hybrid vehicles.

Demand for the fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge is high: this year's production volume has already been fully sold, but the well-filled order books remain open. In the course of this month, the first fully electric Volvo compact SUVs will be rolling out to customers in Europe, and the vehicles are expected on the German market by the end of the year.

In order to be perfectly prepared for the new model, pre-series models were made in Ghent before production started. With this standard procedure common in the industry, the production processes are optimized and the usual first-class quality is ensured from the very first vehicle. The employees involved were also prepared for the safe construction of electric cars in comprehensive training courses.

Successful concept, alternative drive

Like the conventionally powered Volvo XC40, which was the first Volvo model to be named European "Car of the Year", the electric version is also based on the compact modular architecture (CMA) - the advanced platform that was developed together with the Geely Group. With two electric motors - one each on the front and rear axles - the Volvo XC40 Recharge not only has a total output of 300 kW (408 hp), but also all-wheel drive. The range is 400 to 418 kilometers (WLTP). At fast charging stations, the battery can be recharged to 80 percent within 40 minutes.

In the interior there is a new Android infotainment system that offers customers additional personalization options, intuitive usability and numerous integrated Google applications and services - including Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store, from which various apps can be obtained. Updates for software and operating system are carried out wirelessly to an even greater extent. Occupants also enjoy excellent space and plenty of storage space in the doors and in the trunk. Since there is no combustion engine, there is also an additional storage compartment under the front hood.

Excellent level of security

Building on the high standards of the conventional Volvo XC40, the fully electric counterpart also scores with an excellent level of safety. The engineers have redesigned and reinforced the front structure in order to meet their own high safety requirements despite the elimination of the internal combustion engine. The occupants are just as safe on the road in the fully electric Volvo as in any other model from the Swedish premium brand.

A safety cage protects the high-voltage battery, which was placed in the center of the vehicle floor. This position also lowers the center of gravity, which not only optimizes driving pleasure, but also provides better protection against rollover.



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