Volvo’s plug-in hybrid XC40 compact SUV will be priced in Australia from $64,990 before on-road costs, the Swedish-Chinese brand announced on Friday.
The introduction of the plug-in hybrid XC40 Recharge in Australia preceeds its all-electric stablemate expected in, making it for now the range-topping vehicle for the award winning model.
It joins the plug-in hybrid XC60 and XC90 SUVs and S60 and V60 plug-in hybrid sedans, and as such as is the most affordable electrified option from Volvo on the Australian market.
As reported by The Driven in April, the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the release of the XC40 plug-in hybrid (also known as a PHEV) along with the all-electric Polestar 2. Both were previously expected in 2020 but will now not arrive until 2021.
When it arrives, the XC40 Recharge PHEV will offer a 10.7kWh battery driving a 61/160Nm electric motor combined with a 1.5litre turbo 3-cylinder engine. Conbined, the two give a 195kWh output via the front wheels using a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.
Volvo says this will give the XC40 Recharge PHEV a 46km electric-only driving range, rating the vehicle for 2 litres per 100 kilometres in fuel consumption.
When out and about, the XC40 Recharge PHEV can be recharged in a minimum 2.5 hours using a DC fast charger and when charging at home it can be recharged off a standard power socket in up to 6 hours.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.