Volvo just announced it plans on becoming an all-electric vehicle brand by 2030. It has also announced one of the key vehicles for how it plans to get there. This is the all-electric 2022 C40 Recharge. It is only the second EV Volvo produces and kicked off its Volvo Moment: Recharge video to get us warmed up to the Volvo EV idea.  

Volvo’s C4 Recharge “crossover coupe” looks more SUV than a coupe

While Volvo calls it a “crossover coupe” it looks more SUV than a coupe. And that’s a good thing because the past coupe/SUV-like things from the likes of Acura and BMW haven’t caught on. It seems like a dead segment. But Volvo has pulled off a cross between a crossover coupe and a full-on SUV. 

Power comes from a 78 kWh battery buzzing two motors-one at the front and one in the back. It has a range of 260 miles. That’s not up in the 300+ range most consumers like to see, but not range anxiety-inducing either. The C40 will zip from zero to 62 MPH in 4.9 seconds. Volvo says a zero to 80% charge takes only 40 minutes. 

Google’s Android Automotive Operating System will be utilized for the C40’s infotainment. That means if features Google Assistant, Google Maps, and lots of apps you can score in the Google Play store. This is the same system being used in Polestar 2. 

Volvo will soon be leather-free for all products

In trying to appeal to the more animal- and environment-friendly folks out there it features a leather-free interior. Volvo will soon be leather-free for all products. We expect the trend to begin with other manufacturers soon. 

Sales of Volvos are also seeing a new approach with the C40 being available through the online Volvo Studios in New York, Milan, and Tokyo. It is the first move in making 100% of Volvo sales from the internet. Volvo also is expanding its Care by Volvo subscription service. It will add insurance, warranty, maintenance, roadside assistance, and home charging options and accessories to it. 

Buyers will order the Recharge through the Volvo Studios exclusively

Pricing will now be fixed and orders include adding options as well as offering pre-configured packages to streamline assembly and delivery. There won’t be any haggling with dealers over prices because buyers will order through the Volvo Studios exclusively. Dealerships will still be in the mix, however.

Volvo says its retail partners “remain a crucial part of the customer experience and will continue to be responsible for a variety of important services such as selling, preparing, delivering, and servicing cars.” Beyond all of this Volvo expects to be climate neutral by 2040. Full transparency of its supply chain and blockchain technology for certain materials like cobalt will be accessible for all potential customers of Volvo vehicles. Its supply chain will also be audited from time to time to ensure adherence to its stated concerns.