New Model News

Volvo launches XC40 Recharge as its first mass market battery electric vehicle

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Oct 20, 2019, 4:14 pm

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is the company's first modern electric vehicle.

Photo courtesy of Volvo Car USA

Its quirky shape, engaging drive dynamics, and encompassing available Bowers and Wilkins stereo system have earned the Volvo XC40 accolades since it debuted in 2017. Now, Volvo has introduced the 2020 XC40 Recharge, a battery electric-powered SUV that will competing directly the forthcoming Tesla Model Y and current Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona EV.

The XC40 Recharge is Volvo's first step in a new lineup built around electrified powertrains. The automaker has already pledged to introduce a new EV each year in order to make half its lineup fully electric by 2025.

Volvo has given the XC40 Recharge a 78 kilowatt-hour battery. That's the same battery pack that is in the Polestar 2.

Volvo XC40 Recharge rear back plug charging Volvo has not yet announced which charging company they are teaming up with in the U.S.Photo courtesy of Volvo Car USA

U.S. models are slated to have 487 pound-feet of torque and 402 total horsepower. The compact SUV has a promised range of over 200 miles for U.S. buyers (most Americans travel just 30 miles a day) and can be charged up to 80 percent of its capacity in 40 minutes using a fast-charging system. On a Level 2 charger, getting to that point will take 7.5 hours. The automaker has not yet announced a charging company partner.

Volvo claims the vehicle can get from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, squarely placing it in the "zippy" category.

Volvo XC40 Recharge charging front grille headlights wheels The XC40 Recharge isn't too different from a traditional XC40 on the outside and inside.Photo courtesy of Volvo Car USA

The XC40 Recharge has very similar looks to the 2019 Volvo XC40. The biggest differentiator is its enclosed grille. Side mirrors, lower fascia, and the roof have been given a black paint job. Volvo will sell the XC40 Recharge with an available Sage Green paint job.

Because there is no engine, the front trunk (frunk, if you prefer) has been turned into a cargo storage area.

Volvo XC40 Recharge roof side spoiler black Volvo has kept the two-tone look on this XC40.Photo courtesy of Volvo Car USA

The model's interior is nearly identical to the XC40. It includes Volvo's new Android-powered infotainment system that supports Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play.

The model will go on sale in late 2020 and is promised to cost around $55,000.

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Such a Tease

Toyota hints on social media about what to expect from the new EV it's debuting next week

Toyota's ready to make a big announcement.

Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation2

Auto Shanghai has another surprise in store. Toyota will debut an electrified vehicle next week and ahead of that moment, the company has leaked teaser photos and video featuring the model on its social media channels.

One of the posts, available on Twitter and Instagram, showcases the vehicle and a series of conceptual, perhaps inspirational, related items. A light shines as a reflection in an eye. A design on paper leads to a math equation. A laser, perhaps a plasma cutter, is focused on an object. Watch the see the rest.


It passes by quickly, but in there is the shape of a crossover. We've captured the moment in a still photo below so you can take a longer look. From the body design quickly shown here, the SUV is shaped more like the Toyota Venza than the Toyota RAV4. The key here is the rear side window, which is more triangular, like the Venza, than the squared-off RAV4''s.

202 The shape of the vehicle is similar to the Toyota Venza.Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation

2022 Toyota Venza EV

The face of the vehicle, shown in another social media post (this time on Instagram) and at the top of this article, shows a pared back vehicle face. The height of the vehicle confirms that it's in fact a crossover body style.

We do know that Subaru and Toyota have been working on an electric SUV for a while. While Subaru is likely calling the vehicle "Evoltis" there's some indication that Toyota may be reviving the "Celica" name for the EV. Batteries, after all, are made up of cells.

As of right now, we have to take the wait-and-see approach. One thing's for sure. We'll know more next week.

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Such a Tease

GM teases Chevrolet Silverado electric pickup truck in new video

And all-electric version of the Chevrolet Silverado is on the way.

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

Earlier this year, General Motors very quietly teased its forthcoming electric full-size pickup truck. Today, the automaker is giving us a closer look with a new teaser video.

The video accompanies an announcement that says that the Silverado electric pickup will be built at the company's Factory Zero assembly plant in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan. The Silverado electric vehicle (EV) will be built alongside the 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, which debuted this weekend.

GM has designed the Silverado EV to be an electric vehicle from the ground up, riding on the company's Ultium Platform and keeping Silverado's capability in focus. The automaker says that the truck will offer more than 400 miles of all-electric range on a full charge.

The company confirms that retail and fleet versions will be offered.

"The vehicles coming from Factory ZERO will change the world, and how the world views electric vehicles," said General Motors President Mark Reuss. "The GMC Hummer EV SUV joins its stablemate in the realm of true supertrucks, and Chevrolet will take everything Chevy's loyal truck buyers love about Silverado — and more — and put it into an electric pickup that will delight retail and commercial customers alike."

What will it be called? The teaser photo GM released was labeled "Silverado E". Stay tuned for confirmation on the name.

GM plans to deliver more than 1 million electric vehicles globally by 2025 and earn EV market leadership in North America. With the company's Ultium Platform, virtual development tools and technology, GM has reduced vehicle development times by nearly 50 percent to just 26 months.

The GMC Hummer EV pickup truck and Cruise Origin will also be built at Factory Zero. Reports indicate that a forthcoming Cadillac Escalade BEV could also be built there and be ready for dealerships around the same time as the Hummer EV SUV.

To ready for its new products, GM has invested $2.2 billion in a complete renovation and retooling at the historic GM manufacturing facility. The project is the largest ever for a GM manufacturing site. The plant's paint and body shops and general assembly area are receiving comprehensive upgrades, including new machines, conveyors, controls and tooling. The plant has expanded to over 4.5 million square feet.

Late last year General Motors revealed details about many of the new electric vehicles it has in the pipeline.

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