Volvo C40 Recharge EV production begins in Ghent, Belgium ahead of late 2021 European deliveries
Volvo has started production of the C40 Recharge in Ghent, Belgium. Images: Volvo Cars
Volvo Cars has started production of its second fully electrified model, the C40 Recharge, at its manufacturing plant in Ghent, Belgium. The XC40 Recharge is also manufactured in this facility. Volvo Cars is increasing electric car capacity at the Ghent facility to 135,000 cars per year, and already expects more than half of the plant’s production volume in 2022 to consist of fully electric cars.
“The C40 Recharge is a car that represents our future,” said Javier Varela, senior vice president for industrial operations and quality at Volvo Cars. “Our manufacturing operations and a close collaboration with our suppliers are key in achieving our future ambitions in terms of electrification and climate neutrality. Our Ghent plant is ready for an all-electric future and will be an important part of our global industrial network for the years to come.”
The C40 Recharge follows the trend of carmakers taking a small crossover, tapering the roofline and rear glass, and calling it a coupe.
By 2030, Volvo Cars aims to sell only fully electric cars, and the automaker will roll out several additional fully electric models in coming years, aiming for 50 per cent of its global sales volume to consist of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) by 2025. Volvo also has ambitions to be a climate neutral company by 2040.
What’s under the C40 Recharge’s metal?
The C40 Recharge offers an all wheel drive setup, with twin electric motors powered by a 78kWh battery. Volvo quotes a 440km WLTP range; slightly higher than the 400km figure of the XC40 Recharge. The C40 can be fast-charged from to 10-80 per cent in about 40 minutes.
Based on the same platform as the XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2 which offers front and all wheel drive models, we can expect to see a front wheel drive, single motor version of the C40 Recharge too. In terms of Australian pricing, We anticipate an MSRP of around $80-85,000 AUD. For comparison, Polestar’s 2 all wheel drive is priced from $69,990, and the Volvo XC40 Recharge is priced from $76,990. At £57,000 ($105,717 AUD) in the UK, the C40 Recharge is priced well and truly in premium territory, slightly above Tesla’s Model Y at £54,990 ($101,893 AUD)
Volvo Cars Australia has confirmed a late-2022 market launch of the C40 Recharge.
Check out Autogefuhl’s video below for a full in-depth look at the C40 Recharge:
