Volvo XC40 Recharge electric SUV launch postponed to early 2022

Tuhin Guha Updated: August 06, 2021, 08:46 PM IST

Volvo India has announced that it will defer the launch of the Volvo XC40 Recharge to early next year. The Swedish brand's first EV was originally planned for a launch around September 2021, but the global semiconductor crisis has affected production timelines for the electric SUV, which could lead to excessively long waiting periods if the XC40 Recharge were launched as planned originally.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge EV SUV was showcased earlier in the year and kicks off an ambitious eletrification plan for the Swedish brand in the country. This will see Volvo switching 80 per cent of its portfolio to EVs by 2025. The company will also move to a petrol-only line-up before this, starting with the launch of the Volvo XC60 facelift and XC90 facelift this year. The launch timelines of these two models haven't been affected and continue as planned.

The XC40 Recharge is powered by two electric motors, one on each axle for a combined 408PS and 660 Nm output. This is fed by a 78kWh battery placed under the floor of the SUV. The XC40 Recharge can cover 400 km in a full charge. The battery charges to 80 % of its capacity in 40 mins on a fast-charger system.

The XC40 Recharge looks almost identical to the standard car, save for the new body-coloured fascia in place of the grille. On the inside, the new additon is Volvo's new Android-based infotainment system. There are Recharge badges all around and the charging port replaces the traditional fuel filler.

The XC40 is currently sold in India with a petrol engine option. This is a 2.0-litre unit that makes 190PS and 300 Nm and pairs with an eight-speed automatic. This T4 R-Design version is priced at Rs Rs 39.9 lakh. As for the XC40 Recharge, we expect it to come at a significant premium over this.