Volvo's Enhances Electric and Hybrid Lineup with Streamlined Naming
February 28 2024,
Volvo Cars has refined its model naming convention for its fully electric vehicle lineup, reflecting the brand's shift towards electrification. The familiar XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models transition into the EX40 and EC40, aligning with Volvo's electric fleet, which includes the EX30, and EX90. This renaming keeps the XC40 designation exclusive to the internal combustion engine variants, ensuring clarity for customers.
This strategic move is part of Volvo's broader vision to transition into a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030. The company's drive towards electrification is evident in its sales figures, with fully electric cars constituting 16% of its global sales in 2023, marking a 70% increase from the previous year. The introduction of the EX30, EX90, and EM90 in 2023 expands Volvo's electric offerings to five models, with more innovations on the horizon.
Additionally, Volvo will simplify the identification of its plug-in hybrid models by removing the Recharge badge, now distinguishing them with the T6 or T8 suffixes to indicate power output levels.
Volvo's Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy CEO emphasized the ease of choice this rebranding brings to customers, aligning the pioneering electric models with the broader electric portfolio and signifying a streamlined approach to model identification.
Excitingly, Volvo is enhancing the driving experience with a new Performance software pack for the EX40 and EC40 Twin Motor variants. This upgrade boosts power output by 25kW, enhancing acceleration and introducing a unique 'Performance' drive mode. This software pack is available as an optional upgrade for new car orders through the Volvo Cars app, and as a downloadable update for existing 2024 model year C40 and fully electric XC40 Recharge owners.
Volvo's commitment to innovation extends to its hybrid models as well, with the B5 mild hybrid petrol variants of the XC60 and XC90 featuring a more efficient engine combustion cycle. This improvement is anticipated to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy by up to 4% for the XC60 and 2% for the XC90, based on the WLTP cycle.
With built-in Google, smart interior storage solutions, and impressive electric ranges for both the EC40 and EX40, these models will continue to offer a compelling choice for discerning drivers.
