An all-electric
version of the Volvo XC40 is in the works and it will premiere before the end
of the year. The Swedish car manufacturer made the announcement during a recent
safety event in its home city of Gothenburg, Auto News reports.
Underpinning the
current XC40 is the company’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) and the
electric version will retain this platform. The CMA is also used by the Lynk
& Co 01, 02, and 03 sold in China that will, nevertheless, also make it to
overseas markets.
Volvo has been a
strong advocate of hybrids in recent years but has yet to launch an
all-electric production model. The XC40’s electric version will be the
automaker’s first, joining the Tesla Model 3-rivalling Polestar 2 from Volvo’s
electrified performance brand.
The Volvo XC40 was
unveiled towards the end of 2017 and has quickly established itself as the
carmaker’s second best-selling model globally, trailing only the larger XC60.
If priced competitively, the all-electric XC40 could be sold in impressive
numbers when it hits the roads by 2020.
Volvo wants
all-electric cars to account for 50 per cent of its global sales by 2025 and
the XC40 will obviously play an extremely important role in making that happen.
Before the EV arrives, though, Volvo will have two plug-in hybrid versions of
its compact SUV in its range. The XC40 is currently offered in T5 Twin Engine
trim with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine and a battery sending power
to an electric motor, while a T4 Twin Engine is also on the agenda. Volvo
expects PHEVs to account for up to 25 per cent of global sales in the model
lines which offer them by the end of the year.
