Volvo C40 Recharge Evaluate — 1st Impressions

As the primary “mainstream” automaker to decide to going to an all-electric lineup in 2017, when the company announced that all new vehicles introduced from 2019 onward would have an all-electric variant, Volvo was one of many leaders of the present EV transition. At present, every Volvo sold in North America and Europe is either a hybrid or BEV model, and the corporate has a protracted established historical past of main the cost on the subject of emissions controls and recycling, in addition to the usage of sustainable and cruelty-free interiors.

With out additional ado, then, let’s get to the C40 Recharge — a mannequin that’s solely accessible as a BEV.

Table of Contents

Beginning of the BEV

Volvo C40 Recharge, in Fjord Blue. Picture courtesy of Volvo Automobiles.

Volvo daughter/sister firm Polestar began the totally electrical journey of the model with the Polestar 2. Now the C40 and XC40 Recharge fashions have the customary lengthy supply occasions that each one nice BEVs share. The XC40 was #2 on the consolidated listing of finest sellers in 10 main European nations in This autumn 2022, behind solely the Tesla Mannequin Y. The C40 was #10.

Specs:

Single Motor — 175/185kW and 420Nm rear-wheel drive.
Battery — 67kWh/78kWh with about 215/248.5 miles of vary.
Twin Motor — 300kW and 670Nm all-wheel drive.
Battery — 78kWh with about 240 miles of vary.
Charging — 150/200kW DC and 11kW AC.
Security: Euro NCAP ***** (5 stars)
Size * Width * Top — 174.8” * 73.7” * 62.8”

The C40 is offered in three trim ranges and with three drivetrains. However not all combos are potential. The bottom trim is barely accessible with a single motor, and the twin motor is barely accessible with the bigger battery.

Volvo C40 Recharge, in Fjord Blue. Picture courtesy of Volvo Automobiles.

Volvo C40 Recharge, in Fjord Blue. Picture courtesy of Volvo Automobiles.

Volvo C40 Recharge, Fjord Blue

I’m wondering why there are two battery choices with so little distinction in capability. The advertising drones of Volvo may have a superbly good rationalization for this that I won’t be able to understand. I by no means understood advertising logic.

What’s going to make many individuals glad: this Volvo does have a frunk!

The usual audio setup has 8 audio system. The optionally available Harman Kardon has 13 plus a subwoofer. Most necessary with each: they’ve an OFF button.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

The lifecycle CO2 equal is 27 tons when charged with renewable power and 50 tons when utilizing the typical world power combine. The comparable XC40 ICE contributes 59 tons to the greenhouse layer over its lifetime. That the distinction shouldn’t be bigger is as a result of the electrical drivetrain with the battery will increase CO2 from manufacturing by 11 ton. (Recycling or reuse of the battery supplies might be not taken under consideration, although it needs to be.)

Cleansing up battery manufacturing — with, for instance, dry electrode processes — is among the most important objectives the trade is now dealing with.

For particulars on many extra choices and features, please visit the dealer’s webpage.

Driving Machine

Volvo C40 Recharge, in Fjord Blue. Picture courtesy of Volvo Automobiles.

One-pedal driving. Allow us to not name it the “gasoline” or “gasoline pedal” any longer. Calling it the accelerator is simply too lengthy a phrase that doesn’t totally cowl the perform. In fashionable electrical automobiles, it’s the pace pedal — you management the pace with it. If you hit it, the automotive accelerates; whenever you launch it, the automotive decelerates. It may possibly decelerate utilizing the resistance of the motor or extra so by making use of the brakes.

I actually received eager about this within the Volvo C40. Volvo has developed one-pedal driving to close perfection. The corporate makes use of it as its major gross sales argument when placing new electrical drivers behind the wheel for a check drive. And judging by Volvo’s success available in the market, this argument works for a lot of patrons.

Volvo C40 Recharge, in Fjord Blue. Picture courtesy of Volvo Automobiles.

In the course of the check drive, I used to be so wowed by the one-pedal-driving system that I didn’t pay a lot consideration to regular check drive parameters. However as I’ve stated earlier than, with the excessive torque, gearless instantaneous energy provide, and low heart of mass within the heart of the automotive, the designer should be an entire fool to screw up and EV. The driving traits are approach higher than in a comparable ICEV.

Evaluating to different electrical automobiles, all of them are higher than most drivers will ever understand. We’ll simply by no means attain the boundaries of the capabilities of the automotive.

There will be variations within the sound insolation, or within the dimming of the solar’s warmth via the panoramic roof. However that’s to everyone’s particular person style.

Infotainment and Driving Help

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

I already swooned over the one-pedal driving. The opposite features are as nice. The lane retaining assist labored properly. The blind spot warning was there once I wanted it. I didn’t check collision avoidance and emergency braking — I hope by no means to expertise how nicely these methods work in fashionable automobiles. These are assessments I depart to the NCAP testers.

What did shock me was the habits of the cruise management. It’s totally adaptive stop-and-go cruise management. When approaching a purple visitors mild with automobiles ready, it stopped, after which began driving once more on inexperienced. Unbelievable! However on the subsequent purple mild, it simply stored going. I used to be fouled by pondering it reacted to visitors lights, it was simply the stop-and-go perform of the cruise management that dealt with the earlier purple mild. However that was my dangerous, a mistake to not make once more.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

The sound system did have an OFF swap — that’s all I care about. With the sound machine off, it was enjoyably quiet within the automotive. Simply as I prefer it.

It has the whole set of Google Maps and assistant options. I don’t know whether or not this is similar as, or greater than, Android Auto provides. For these hooked on their iPhone, it might probably swap to Apple CarPlay.

The one of these features that I used was the route planner. There have been no surprises — it simply knew the place I used to be, the place I wished to go, and the way to get there.

Usability

The local weather management did what it was purported to do with out requiring any consideration. Nice.

The seats are most likely very secure. It’s a Volvo. However additionally they have glorious aspect assist (i.e., excessive flanks beside your thighs). Getting out and in of the automotive over the excessive aspect helps of the automotive did damage. I desire a flat seating airplane.

With the towing capability of 750kg unbraked and 1500kg/1800kg (twin motor) braked, it is extremely succesful for greater than commuting and grocery getting. This automotive could also be among the best BEVs for household journeys and holidays.

There may be additionally a rumor {that a} smaller model is within the make. I might like to see a C30/CX30, and even higher a C20/CX20, seem as a candidate for my subsequent automotive.

Listed below are a couple of extra pics I took of the totally electrical Volvo C40 Recharge:

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Recognize CleanTechnica’s originality and cleantech information protection? Take into account changing into a CleanTechnica Member, Supporter, Technician, or Ambassador — or a patron on Patreon.