Volvo has reportedly started production of its first full-electric vehicle which is an EV variant of the XC40 SUV. The XC40 Recharge is very similar to the original XC40.
Volvo’s head of global industrial operations and quality Javier Varela said: “Today is a momentous occasion for Volvo Cars and for all employees here in Ghent. As we continue to electrify our line-up, the Ghent plant is a real trailblazer for our global manufacturing network.”
The XC40 Recharge features a 78 kWh battery pack that has an approximate range of 400 km. It also has a dual-motor powertrain with 150 kW electric motors on each axle. This converts to 408 bhp. It has 11 kW charger and has a 150 kW DC fast charge capability. It can achieve 0-100 kmph in 4.7 seconds. It has a top speed of 180 kmph.
Volvo has also redesigned the frontal structure of the car to compensate for the absence of an engine. The XC40 Recharge is the first car of many electric vehicles that Volvo has planned which is part of its plan to reduce the CO2 footprint by 40 per cent by 2025.
