• Volvo is looking to bring more of its fully electric cars to South Africa. 
• Having launched the XC40 P6 Recharge locally, now the company is preparing to bring the XC40 Recharge to our shores. 
• A precise date has not been shared, but Volvo expects to be available during the first half of 2023.

While there is indeed interest in electric vehicles (EVs) from South African motorists, the number of actual models made available locally is relatively low compared to similarly mature car markets across the globe. Hoping to change that is Volvo, which recently launched its XC40 P6 Recharge and it’s now looking to bring the fully electric C40 Recharge to our shores.

The new EV was unveiled by Volvo globally about a year ago, and it is now expected to be available to purchase during the first half of 2023.

The Swedish carmaker is not able to give a more precise timeframe at the time of writing, but has noted that local pricing and availability will be detailed closer to the actual local launch date.

“Our initial allocations of both the XC40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge Twin were snapped up in double-quick time. We expect the new C40 Recharge to resonate just as strongly with South Africans looking to switch to battery-powered vehicles,” noted Greg Maruszewski, MD for Volvo SA on the local interest he believes the C40 will garner.

In terms of performance, Volvo has highlighted that the twin-motor version of the C40 boasts an electric motor on each axle, powered by a 78kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This offers a single-charge range of up to 451 kilometres, according to the WLTP driving cycle.

Other key specifications for the C40 Recharge include peak outputs of 300kW of power and 660Nm of torque, which facilitate a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 4.7 seconds. The C40 Recharge is also one of several fully electric vehicles that Volvo plans to bring to South Africa in the coming years.

“The C40 Recharge – along with the recently revealed and likewise SA-bound EX90 flagship SUV – is another step on Volvo’s journey towards becoming a fully electric brand,” explained Volvo in a press release sent to Hypertext.

“By 2025, the Swedish automaker aims for half of its global sales volume to comprise fully electric cars, with the remainder taking the form of hybrids. By 2030, it plans for every single new car it sells to be pure electric, demonstrating its commitment to a zero-emission future,” it concluded.