There is currently a lot of debate about the likely pace of electrical vehicle adoption, but one company is optimistic about a quick transition away from gasoline and will not be dragging its heels. Volvo has emerged as one of the most environmentally responsible full-line automakers, diversifying its electric lineup aggressively and pledging to sell nothing but fully electric vehicles by 2030. Long known for its emphasis on safety, the Swedish company is now being recognized for its genuine concern about climate change, and its selection of successful, luxurious EVs is about to expand.
Like many automakers, Volvo currently offers a limited number of battery electric vehicles, marketing two models in the United States that are very close siblings. The fully electric 2024 C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge have matching powertrains and exterior dimensions that are almost identical. The C40’s distinguishing feature is a sloping roofline that offers more headroom in the front, while the XC40’s handsome flat top profile favors passengers in the back. Both models are available as a single-motor rear-wheel-drive or as a dual-motor all-wheel-drive, with the dual-motor setup increasing horsepower dramatically from 248 to 402. The additional horsepower has a significant impact on efficiency, lowering the C40’s MPGe rating from 107 to 99, while the XC40’s MPGe drops from 106 to 98. The reduction in fuel economy contributes to a substantial loss of range, with the C40 RWD venturing 297 miles on a single charge and the C40 AWD only venturing 257. Adding AWD to the XC40 has a similar effect, lowering the range figure from 293 miles to 254.
Volvo offers a broader selection of plug-in hybrids, and these partially electrified vehicles provide moderate environmental benefits. The current lineup includes the S60 Recharge and S90 Recharge sedans, the XC60 Recharge and XC90 Recharge SUVs, and the drop-dead-gorgeous V60 Recharge wagon. All of Volvo’s plug-in hybrids are only available as all-wheel-drives, and all of them are extremely powerful. The S60 sedan and the V60 wagon are the most efficient, achieving identical levels of fuel economy. Both have an MPGe rating of 74 when powered by electricity and an MPG rating of 31 when powered by gasoline. They also earn identical all-electric range ratings of 40 miles.
Volvo will be advancing its environmental goals considerably with the introduction of the 2025 EX30, a smaller, fully electric crossover that will start at under $37,000. Like the C40 and XC40, the EX30 will be available as an efficient, single-motor rear-wheel-drive or as a powerful, dual-motor all-wheel-drive. Volvo says that its most efficient EX30 will travel 100 miles on just 26.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity, which would make the frugal RWD one of the more efficient EVs available in the United States. Slightly larger than the popular, discontinued Chevy Bolt, the EX30 will provide an attractive new option to consumers hunting for smaller, more affordable EVs. Orders are being taken now, and deliveries will commence in the summer of 2024. Volvo is also introducing a jumbo, fully electric SUV called the EX90 that will start at around $80,000 and compete with a crowded field of similar luxury EVs.
Many unpredictable factors will affect the pace of EV adoption, but proactive automakers like Volvo are sure to speed things along. The EX30 will be an especially valuable newcomer, accelerating an EV market segment that has steadily fallen behind.
