Launched at the end of this year, with production set for 2022, Polestar 2 will mark an all-new EV architecture for Polestar, one that will then be shared with Volvo. The Polestar 2 is based on the same compact modular architecture that underpins Volvos XC40, which recently added a fully electric Recharge model to the Volvo line-up using the batteries and motor technology from Polestar. Volvos car line includes two all-electric models, Volvos C40 Recharge and the Volvo XC40 Recharge. Volvo launched the XC40 Recharge, its first fully electric vehicle, last year.
The decision was made on the assumption that legislation, along with the rapidly expanding availability of quality charging infrastructure, would speed up consumers adoption of all-electric cars, Volvo said. Felipe Munoz, JATO Dynamics Global Automotive Analyst, said Volvo Cars has started its electrification the right way, and it looks ambitious, and its fully electric Polestar stablemate is appealing to early adopters looking for a high-performance EV. The C40/XC40 will attract the traditionally Volvo-stolid, whereas Polestar is a newer brand with a far more athletic profile. Polestar 2 is obviously styling itself with a Volvo-adjacent brand, and it is built upon the existing platform that is already used by the Volvo, Geely, and Lynk & Co. brands.
Volvo is clearly going to be drawing on the well of Polestars experience in developing a new BEV. Volvos committed to building a million battery-electric cars by 2025, and says that by 2030, all its cars will be electric. Volvo Cars, the Swedish carmaker owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding in China, has a single battery electric vehicle (BEV), a compact C40 Recharge front-wheel-drive SUV, and an XC40 four-wheel-drive version.
Chinas Geely Holding is the largest shareholder of Geely Auto, and it said last week it will work more closely with Volvo to collaborate on BEV technology. Volvo, a Swedish luxury automaker owned by Geely Chinas Geely announced plans to initially list Volvo for stock market, seeking to raise more money to speed up the transition to being an all-electric vehicle company. Its first full-electric vehicle has about a 200-mile range, and it charges its batteries to 80 percent capacity in 40 minutes. The C40 Recharge has all the looks and feels of Volvos current offerings, but just gliding along on electricity for a claimed 226 miles.
Electric drivetrains aside, Volvos 2023 XC40 Recharge is as functional and well-designed as its gas-powered counterpart, with a spacious cargo area, smart storage cubbies, and upscale looks that anchor its place in the luxury-EV niche. All 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge models will feature dual electric motors, one driving the front wheels, while a second powers the rear, giving it all-wheel-drive full-time. Volvo is assigning the name Recharge now to the Volvo plug-in hybrid models, with an updated version of the XC60 Recharge.
In its move to a battery-electric drivetrain, Volvos 2023 XC40 Recharge lost none of its cargo room, so we would expect a Recharge model to carry as many carry-on suitcases as the gas-powered version. The pure electric Volvo XC40 Recharge offers more than 200 miles on a charge, though terrain, towing, cargo, and other factors could impact this total. With more than 200 miles of range, and quick charging giving you 80% of total range in only 40 minutes, the new Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is more than capable of handling your extended travels.
With your purchase of an XC40 Electric, Volvo includes 250 kWh of fast-charging in DC, followed by a year-long membership in discounted power from Electrify America stations. Like most manufacturers, Volvo recommends setting the Voltaic Recharge on the Volvo XC40 to stop charging once you reach 90% of the battery, which is better for long-term battery health; you should only recharge up to 100% if needed for longer trips. There is no official word as to how much longer you can buy a Volvo with the internal combustion engine and tank, but those are going to phase out eventually.
Volvo Cars sold 10,645 plug-ins worldwide in June, down just 37% from the same time last year, and Volvos plug-in car share in overall volumes was 21.3%. Sam Fiorani, an analyst at Chester Springs, Pa.-based Auto Forecast Solutions, said that in the United States, Volvos plug-in rivals included Acura, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Lexus, and Lincoln, as well as a few BMWs and Mercedes. IHS Markit automotive analyst Ian Fletcher said Volvo Cars seems certain to go fully electric by 2030, but it is hedged its bets in the meantime with mainstream top sellers such as the XC60 and XC90. Volvo Cars 2030 all-electric goal looks a little thin, with just one model available, but plans for five new battery-electric vehicles in coming years add credence to that ambitious goal.
Volvo Cars is committed to complete traceability, helping ensure that our customers can drive an electric Volvo knowing the raw materials for the batteries were responsibly sourced. We are also placing requirements on our suppliers to minimize carbon emissions throughout the manufacturing process, including by using renewable energy. Volvo offers an all-round warranty package for new cars from Volvo, including a free routine maintenance program for up to three years or 36,000 miles.
The Volvo XC40 Recharges eager acceleration from its front- and rear-mounted electric motors, which are rated at 201 horsepower apiece, combines with decent ride quality and competent handling to make for a responsive, attractive car.