Volvo starts EV push in Australia with XC40 Recharge electric SUV

Volvo has started its EV push in Australia, with marketing going out to prospective customers on Thursday ahead of its imminent launch.

It will be the first electric vehicle for the Swedish-Chinese carmaker in Australia, which in March declared there is “no future” for internal combustion vehicles, introducing a 100% EV by 2030 target.

Available in just one specification from $76,990 before on-roads, the XC40 is accompanied by a plug-in hybrid version for $69,990, also before on-roads.

The pricing, though on the upper end for the XC40 range (the range-topping petrol-driven XC40 starts at $56,990 before on-roads), comes under the threshold for the NSW government’s stamp duty waiver for electric vehicles that will come into effect in September.

This will equal a $3,000 reduction on sticker price for drivers choosing to buy the all-electric XC40 Recharge. It will not, however, be eligible for the extra $3,000 rebate also introduced by NSW.

It will offer a projected 418km driving range from a 78kWh battery and Volvo’s characteristic focus on safety, but on the outside it is only recognisable from its combustion stablemates in that it lacks a grille.

But what is hidden under the hood, so to speak, that would make most sports car drivers green with envy. Volvo has installed two electric motors with a total of 300kW (408 hp) and 660 Nm torque in the 4.43-metre-long SUV, one on the front axle and the other at the rear. This combination allows a 0-100 km/hr sprint in 4.9 seconds.

Volvo’s stance on electric mobility saw it applaud the recent EV adoption policy introduced by the NSW state government, urging other state governments to follow NSW’ lead. While Victoria, the second-most populous state in Australia, has also introduced a $3,000 rebate for EVs under $68,750, it has also introduced a road user tax for EVs at a are of 2.5c per kilometre under much criticism.

In January, Volvo Trucks introduced its FL electric truck to Australia. This is now being deployed by logistics giant Linfox to deliver VB beer in Melbourne.

Volvo will launch the XC40 Recharge in coming months. The company’s all-electric offshoot Polestar is also expected to launch the Polestar 2 in Australia in November.