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Volvo is Ready for the EV Market!

During the 4th quarter of 2019, Volvo is expected to announce a major electric vehicle. The Volvo XC40 fully electric SUV will most likely be the star of this unveil. With the manufacturer’s goal to reach 50% of sales in the EV market by the mid-2020s, this will be a grand start for the company. Volvo is aiming to sell the Polestar 2 beginning in 2020. So, this car may go alongside it, or slightly after it… only time will tell. Currently, a plug-in hybrid version of the XC40 is already in production. But, to take it to the next level, a fully electric version is in the works.

Specs of the Plug-In Hybrid Version

So, before diving into the fully electric version, let’s take a look at the Volvo XC40 Plug-In Hybrid model. This version sports a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower. Furthermore, there is an electric motor boasting 82 horsepower. In combo, the hybrid sports 262 horsepower. But the electric motors are known for torque, leading to 313 lb.-ft.! Wow! For the torque to touch the ground, there is a 7-speed auto transmission. To back up this setup, there is a 9.7-kWh lithium-ion battery to store power. This version of the car can reach 60 mph in only 7.3 seconds. Lastly, on battery alone, this car can cover around 34 miles.

50% of Volvo Sales in EV Market by 2025

The 2019 Volvo XC40 Is the Coolest Volvo in Decades – Doug DeMuro – YouTube
By 2025, Volvo is hoping to have 50% of its sales in the EV Market. That is quite a goal, and a smart goal at that. The Volvo XC40 fully electric SUV will have zero emissions and be purely electric. It will use the same Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) as the Polestar 2. For those that don’t know, Volvo’s parent company is Geely. Geely also owns Lotus and Lynk & Co. Hence, some of these subsidiary companies share architecture and parts. With the XC40 being the 2019 European Car of the Year, this car has a great opportunity to allow Volvo to enter the EV market smoothly.