Electric Volvo XC40 on Its Way as Automaker's First EV
An electric Volvo XC40 is on its way.
The automaker’s design boss, Thomas Ingenlath, revealed a pure electric version of the acclaimed XC40 crossover would be the automaker’s first fully electric vehicle. A performance-focused EV will arrive beforehand, however that model will be sold under the newly repositioned Polestar brand.
“It’s not a secret any more that the first full electric Volvo is on its way with the XC40 coming,” Ingenlath told Autocar in an interview. “It will arrive very soon after the Polestar 2. That is the first to come that’s not exotic. We’ll start with XC40 and then on it will come step after step into our model range.”
SEE ALSO: Volvo XC40 Plug-in Hybrid Makes its First Public Appearance
After the electric XC40 arrives, Volvo will turn its attention toward a fully electric version of the next-generation XC90. Ingenlath said that Volvo wants to treat electric powertrains like they do different available engines and offer them in their existing vehicles, rather than treating EVs as entirely separate models.
The XC40 is already offered as a plug-in hybrid, as all Volvo models eventually will be. The XC40 Plug-In is powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine and electric motor, which together make 247 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy estimates have yet to be provided.
The fully electric XC40 will debut sometime in 2019 before going on sale as a 2020 model year product.
Discuss this story on our Volvo Forum.
Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
More by Sam McEachern
Comments
Join the conversation