Volvo updates naming convention for electric vehicles, drops “Recharge” badge

Volvo Cars has updated the naming convention for its fully electric vehicle lineup as part of its goal to become a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030. The company has rebranded its fully electric XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models to EX40 and EC40, respectively. This change aligns these models with Volvo’s other electric vehicles, such as the EX30, EX90, and EM90. The XC40 name will now be used exclusively for internal combustion engine models.

This renaming initiative reflects Volvo’s increased focus on electric vehicle production, as fully electric cars accounted for 16 percent of Volvo’s global sales in 2023, representing a 70 percent increase from 2022. With the introduction of the EX30, EX90, and EM90, Volvo’s electric vehicle portfolio now includes five models, with further expansions planned.

Additionally, Volvo has removed the “Recharge” badging from its plug-in hybrid models, which will now use the T6 or T8 suffixes to denote their power output levels. This change aims to simplify the distinction between fully electric and hybrid models for customers.

Björn Annwall, Volvo’s Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy CEO, noted that this renaming strategy helps streamline the decision-making process for consumers as the company continues to advance its electric and hybrid vehicle offerings.

Volvo is also introducing a new Performance software pack for the EX40 and EC40 Twin Motor variants, which increases power output by 25 kW, providing faster acceleration. This pack includes unique pedal mapping and a ‘Performance’ drive mode, resulting in a total power output of 325 kW. The software upgrade is available through the Volvo Cars app for new car orders and as a downloadable upgrade for certain 2024 model-year vehicles.

Improvements have been made to Volvo’s hybrid vehicles, including the B5 mild-hybrid petrol variants of the XC60 and XC90, which now feature a more efficient engine combustion cycle. This change is expected to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance fuel economy.

Volvo is also introducing a Black Edition for the EX40, EC40, and XC40 models. This edition features Onyx Black paint, high-gloss black badging, and black alloy wheels, following the success of the XC60 Black Edition.

The electric EC40 and EX40 models offer significant electric ranges and come equipped with Google built-in and advanced storage solutions. Customer deliveries for these new and updated models are expected to start in late Q2 2024.