The New Volvo XC40 Recharge

The battery has a nominal capacity of 78 kWh. A fully charged battery gives you a projected range of over 320 km/200 miles* at mixed driving before you need to recharge. However, the real-world range is affected by multiple factors: your style of driving, outdoor temperatures, weather, wind and topography. The electricity required for car functions - heating and cooling, among others - also affects the range. 

To improve range, we recommend to preheat or pre-cool your vehicle while it is still plugged in and charging. That way, your vehicle will be at comfortable temperature when you unplug your vehicle and hit the road. You can also add a heat pump that saves valuable energy.

However, on a daily basis, you will most probably charge your vehicle whenever it is parked, whether it be at home, at work or in the city. Range should therefore not be an issue for everyday driving providing you have good access to charging stations.

*Range according to the realistic WLTP and EPA driving cycles under controlled conditions for a new vehicle. Real-world range may vary. Figures are based on preliminary target. Final vehicle certification pending.

The charging time depends on the charging equipment you use and the electric installation at home. The standard charging cable with a household connector is primarily an auxiliary cable and not recommended for regular charging. Charging an empty battery to 80% with this cable takes approximately 30–55 hours depending on the market, which is around 7.5–14 km range per hour. For regular and considerably shorter charging times at home, we recommend you complement with a cable capable of up to 3.5 kW or 11 kW charging. These cables give charging times of approximately 18.5–5.5 hours (around 20–60 km range per hour) respectively.

For the most efficient and integrated home charging solution, we recommend the Volvo Cars Wallbox. This powerful 11 kW/32A installation will give you approximately 5.5 hours charging time (from empty to 80%) or 60 km range per hour.

When charging at stations outside your home, the most probable situations are that you will charge the battery during shorter periods of time, for example from 40% to 80% (11 kW AC gives around 55–60 km range per hour). On longer trips, you may charge the car using fast-charging DC stations. At a 150 kW DC charging station, you can charge the battery from 10% to around 80% in approximately 37 minutes (or around 100 km range in 10 minutes). Just enough time to take a rest and have a meal!

Please note: Charging times will vary and are dependent on factors such as outdoor temperature, current battery temperature, charging equipment, battery condition and car condition.

The costs of charging the battery varies depending on local conditions and providers. However, the cost can be lower than that of gas or diesel, which is one of many reasons to go electric. For even lower costs, you can also preset your pure electric XC40 Recharge to charge at the times when the tariffs are the lowest, often at night.

Like any other technical component of the vehicle, the battery can be replaced if necessary.

With the battery's high capacity, the XC40 Recharge is perfectly suited for long-distance driving. You won't have to worry about range with a projected range of over 320 km/200 miles*! If you do need to charge, you can do so at an AC charging station or DC fast-charging station. DC fast charging up to 150 kW makes it possible to charge the battery from 10% to 80% in approximately 37 minutes (or around 100 km range in 10 minutes) – just enough time to rest or have a meal during the trip.

*Range according to the realistic WLTP and EPA driving cycles under controlled conditions for a new vehicle. Real-world range may vary. Figures are based on preliminary target. Final vehicle certification pending.

Smart battery design means all occupants have as much space as in an ordinary XC40. The XC40 Recharge offers a vast array of smart storage solutions. The rear load compartment capacity is 413 litres. The battery encroaches the space below the load floor, but this is, to a large extent, compensated by the front load compartment under the hood where you can store charging cables and more.

You shouldn't have to compromise if you decide to choose an electric vehicle. For this reason, the XC40 Recharge is as versatile as a conventional vehicle, allowing to tow up to 1,500 kg.

The standard-fitted charging cable is primarily designed as an auxiliary cable for household appliances and is not recommended for regular battery charging. For regular and considerably shorter charging times at home, you can complement with either a 1-phase 16A “Blue Plug” cable or a 3-phase 16A “Red Plug” cable capable of up to 3.5 kW (1-phase) or 11 kW (3-phase) charging. To really shorten the charging time at home, we strongly recommend you to complement your home electrical by installing the Volvo Cars Wallbox.

Please note: the availability of charging equipment may vary depending on the market.

We recommend charging to 80% as charging to 100% shortens the battery life span. This also helps shorten charging times because the last 20% of charging takes the longest time to achieve. But if you send a distant destination to the car’s navigation system, the car may suggest you charge to 90–100% for that particular journey or whatever charging level that is needed to reach an appropriate charging station.

In countries where Google Maps includes charging stations, you can find public charging stations directly on the map in the car’s centre display or via the Volvo On Call app*. You can easily locate the nearest charging station, select it, and follow directions to there.

*Volvo On Call is not available in all markets.

The battery adds 500 kg of weight to the vehicle, which needs to be addressed in an impact – for the car’s occupants as well as for other vehicles. The battery also needs separate protection to avoid harmful leakage caused by a collision. Thanks to a range of innovations, Volvo Cars’ safety engineers have met all these challenges and designed a perfectly safe electric vehicle.

As electric motors are sealed for life, they do not require maintenance. Compared to conventional vehicles, the XC40 Recharge therefore requires less maintenance, which can result in lower running costs.

Over the average full lifecycle, the XC40 Recharge pure electric’s carbon footprint will be lower compared to both the XC40 plug-in hybrid and the XC40 mild hybrid. The exact differences for the vehicle types depend on a lot of parameters, for instance the electricity mix when charging, the vehicle’s lifetime and driving behaviour.

Volvo Cars works closely with our suppliers to increase the sustainability of our products and services, including through securing responsible supply chains and making efficient use of resources. We are committed to the responsible sourcing of minerals and metals, and fully support the OECD Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-affected and High-risk Areas. In this respect, we require our battery suppliers to support our commitment to have full transparency of our cobalt supply chain by 2020, and to work towards full traceability. Sustainability performance is a key consideration when assessing and selecting our suppliers. We monitor the performance of existing suppliers, and follow up with third-party audits. We also put requirements on our battery suppliers to minimize carbon emissions during the production processes, including through the use of renewable energy. All our suppliers have to agree to the Volvo Car’s Code of Conduct for Business Partners, which includes the observation of human rights, including labour rights.