Given the relatively small number of electric vehicle models available in South Africa, not to mention the fact that there is an ailing power utility and a dearth of charging infrastructure, when a carmaker chooses to launch an EV locally, it is worth noting.

The latest option being made available in SA comes Volvo in the form of the XC40 P6 Recharge.

The all-electric option will be ready to order in SA next week, with dealers capable of taking orders on 26th July.

Volvo says the XC40 P6 Recharge will be available exclusively online through the My Volvo website, with prices starting from R1 075 000. The carmaker adds that a limited number of units will be offered, with priority given to the existing waiting list.

The cars are scheduled to arrive in South Africa later in the year, although no precise date is mentioned at the time of writing.

“The appetite for electric cars in South Africa is steadily growing, as proven by the popularity of our first battery-powered offering, the twin-motor XC40 P8 Recharge AWD. As with that model, we worked hard to bring in this P6 variant at an attractive price point,” adds Greg Maruszewski, MD of Volvo South Africa in a press release sent to Hypertext.

In terms of the highlights of this vehicle, a driving range of 423 kilometres from a single fully charged battery is touted, with said unit being a low-mounted, high-voltage 69kWh lithium-ion pack. The car is also fitted with a 11kW onboard charger as standard.

Other notable elements include maximum engine outputs of 170kW and 330Nm, which serves up a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 7.4 seconds.

Added to this is a braked towing capacity of 1 500 kg, 19″ wheels (option to upgrade to 20″), wireless smartphone charging, parking sensors (front and rear), a reversing camera and an Android-based touchscreen infotainment system with built-in Google apps.

New exterior paint colour choices include Fjord Blue and Bright Dusk, while Silver Dawn is offered in the XC60 range.