Volvo NZ launches XC40 plug-in hybrid SUV

The XC40 combines an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack with a 1.5-litre engine. PHotos: Volvo NZ

Volvo Cars New Zealand has just launched its new XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid and expects  the first shipment will sell out within weeks. 

The hybrid XC40 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) SUV is part of Volvo’s electrified future and is set to help reduce its carbon footprint per car by 40% by 2025. Within this time frame, the Swedish carmaker also expects 50% of its global sales to consist of fully electric cars, with the rest hybrids.

Ben Montgomery, Volvo NZ general manager, says international demand for their crossover SUV model has surged, despite the impact of the pandemic. 

Montgomery said with limited stock of the new model available, the first shipment is expected to sell out quickly. 

He says there are two models in the country which will be on display at Volvo retailers for Kiwi customers to experience first hand during the Recharge roadshow - starting yesterday in Auckland.

“With Volvo’s ambitious commitment to becoming climate neutral by 2040 and putting one million EVs on the roads within the next four years, Kiwi consumers can expect to see a rapid increase in the access of premium electrified and hybrid models available here,” said Montgomery.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV has a pure electric range of 44km.

“Plug-in hybrids now make up almost a third (30%) of Volvo sales in Europe, making Volvo the leading plug-in premium brand when measured by the share of its total sales volume. 

“The XC40 PHEV accounts for a significant part of this global growth and early local interest suggests this model will make up a solid proportion of our New Zealand EV/hybrid sales this year,” he said.

The XC40 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid combines a 60kW/160Nm electric motor and 10.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder 132kW/265Nm engine.

The Recharge’s lab-tested fuel economy is 2.2 litres per 100km compared to the petrol-only XC40s range between 7.7 and 8.0L/100km. However, fuel consumption drops to zero when the electric motor is used alone - with a 44km range.

Pricing for the new model starts at $84,900 plus ORC. Customer deliveries are expected to commence from the second half of the year.

Plug-in hybrids make up a third of Volvo sales in Europe.