Volvo XC40 Crossover to be Company's First All-Electric SUV

author: Manish Kharinta   

Late last year, Swedish automaker Volvo introduced subscription service for it's least expensive small XC40 sports utility vehicle. The customers can enter the subscription program and get a standard Volvo XC60 for $600 a month or the fully optioned R-Design variant for a subscription fee of $700 a month. The subscription program has garnered substantial interest ever since its introduction. 

Now the Swedish automaker is also experimenting with the SUV's Powertrain. Last week, Thomas Ingenlanth, Volvo's chief designer and Polestar head confirmed that the new XC40 will be the first car from the company which will get an all-electric powertrain.

Following the introduction of XC40 electric vehicle, another electric SUV which will be based on the next generation of Volvo XC90 will make its way into production. The company also announced that by the year 2019, all its models will feature all electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The company has a wide lineup of cars and offers at least one model in full-size, mid-size, sedan, crossover, compact and wagon segment. This means that consumers will be able to pick up an electrified Volvo in a body type of their choosing.

The company has also confirmed that electrification will not only be limited to its mass-produced models, but the performance portfolio of Volvo will also receive electrified powertrains. The 2019 ‘Polestar Engineered' high-performance S60 will get a 2- litre plug-in motor, capable of producing 415 HP of power and 494 pound-feet of torque. 

As of now, S60 is offered with a T6 Twin engine, all-wheel-drive model which gets a plug-in hybrid drivetrain capable of producing a combined power output of 340 BHP. The T8 variant also gets the same power plant configuration and produces 400 horsepower. 

Henrik Green, the Research and Development Chief of Volvo said earlier, that not only will the company manufacture all-electric vehicle, but it is estimated that Volvo will make money on every electrified model sold.

The company has also revealed that XC40 will also get a T5 variant which will be offered as a plug-in hybrid. The Volvo XC40 electric will sell alongside the T5 plug-in hybrid. The company has developed its latest CMA architecture which will accommodate the electric as well as plug-in and gas drivetrains. The XC40 electric is likely to be manufactured in China and the company has announced that its electric cars will be offered with an all-electric driving range of 250 miles. Prices of electrified XC40 models are likely to fall between $35, 000 and $40, 000.

Manish Kharinta

Manish Kharinta is a automotive writer based in the Los Angeles area. He has worked for automotive industry websites TheSmokingClutch.com, CarDekho.com and CarBikeindia.com. His experience ranges from covering auto shows, to car reviews and breaking automotive news. Manish aims to bring forth his unique perspective on automotive design and technological innovations in the automotive industry.