Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The All-Electric Volvo XC40 Recharge SUV
Sweden has created its fair share of global brands, but none with a reputation as good as Volvo Cars, when it comes to passenger safety. Volvo cars is an automotive manufacturer based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Volvo Group has a long history of success and was established in 1927. Since then the company has had multiple owners, to include the US based, Ford Motor Company. Its current owner is a Chinese automotive behemoth, Geely Automobile, which acquired Volvo Cars in 2010. Geely also owns the automotive brands Lotus Cars and Polestar.
The automotive manufacturer has an ambition to achieve 50% sales from pure electric cars and the remaining 50% from plug-in hybrid electric cars by 2025. The company is also committed to becoming ‘climate neutral’ across the value chain by 2040. The Volvo electric vehicle (EV) current portfolio includes:
- C40 Recharge Pure Electric Crossover
- Volvo EX30 Pure Electric SUV
- Volvo EX90 Pure Electric SUV
- XC40 Recharge Pure Electric SUV
- XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid SUV
- XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid SUV
- XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid SUV
- S60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Saloon
- S90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Saloon
- V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Estate
- V90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Estate
The Volvo XC40 conventional petrol and diesel variant has been available since 2017. However, Volvo has always had an intention to create a fully-electric (battery-electric vehicle) version of this compact SUV. Currently, the automotive manufacturer also offers a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and mild hybrid variant of this SUV. The pure electric Recharge was unveiled in October 2019. Like the internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, the all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge is also based on the Volvo 40.1 Concept.
The XC40 electric has the same EV battery size as the C40 Recharge (78 kWh). The manufacturer claims a zero-emission electric range up to 420 km (WLTP). Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the EV delivers a useful and practical electric range, for most day-to-day needs and for longer distance motorway driving.
For those new to electric driving, a number of factors impact the claimed range. These include: driving profile, weather conditions, road surface, wheel size, onboard services used, passenger load and more. The electric car also incorporates regenerative braking to increase the efficiency and electric range. A pure electric range closer to 350 km is more realistic.
The all-electric compact Volvo SUV is perfect for families already familiar with the advantages of owning and driving a Volvo car i.e. a fantastic reputation for safety and quality. Of course, the electric XC40 Recharge further enhances this enviable reputation, given the environment-friendly nature of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) i.e. no tailpipe pollution!
The Volvo EV offers DC charging up to 130 kW. The EV can be charged up to 80% in 28 minutes. It is worth noting that the more recent EVs, in particular, in the premium segment, offer faster DC charging capability. Having said that, 28 minutes is just enough time for a coffee break and motorway rest!
The EV does incorporate a three-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard (0%-100%: 7 hours). Given that most homes in Ireland are powered by single-phase power supply, most of us will not be able to take advantage of the three-phase onboard charger. Single-phase EV charging (7.4 kW) will take longer!
In terms of performance, the all-wheel drive (AWD) XC40 electric SUV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds (maximum power: 231 PS/ torque: 330 Nm). The top speed for the EV is 180 km/h. Of course, the electric car also benefits from instant torque.
The e-SUV is practical and versatile without compromising on quality and comfort. The rear seats are comfortable for adults, with ample legroom and headroom. The EV offers a 452 L boot space. Also included as standard are: a new generation 12-inch driver information display, 9-inch centre display, instant access to built-in Google apps and services and more.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good pure electric range | Only available in one EV battery size |
| Interior quality high and good headroom for rear passengers | Heat pump is not standard for all variants |
| 11 kW (3-phase) onboard charger as standard | N/A |
Gallery
The Volvo XC40 Recharge SUV (credit: Volvo)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| Volvo XC40 Recharge Plus (from € 61,715) |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge Ultimate (from € 65,910) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 78 kWh |
| Charging: | 130 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 28 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 160,000 km |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity: 16.7 kWh | € 4.00 |
| Battery net capacity: 30.0 kWh | € 7.19 |
| Battery net capacity: 39.2 kWh | € 9.39 |
| Battery net capacity: 45.0 kWh | € 10.78 |
| Battery net capacity: 50.0 kWh | € 11.98 |
| Battery net capacity: 64.0 kWh | € 15.34 |
| Battery net capacity: 71.0 kWh | € 17.01 |
| Battery net capacity: 77.0 kWh | € 18.45 |
| Battery net capacity: 90.0 kWh | € 21.57 |
| Battery net capacity: 100.0 kWh | € 23.97 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in Ireland varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for Ireland is 23.97 cents/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging DC (50 kW+): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+): | 0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW): | 0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1647 |
| Width (mm): | 1910 |
| Length (mm): | 4440 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2702 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.8 |
| Boot Capacity (L): | 452 |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 78 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 420 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 18.7 |
| Charging: | 130 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 28 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 180 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 4.9 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 170 |
| Horsepower (hp): | 231 |
| Torque (Nm): | 330 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight (kg): | 2,030 |
| Colours: | 8 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Solar And EV Charging: An Overview
The benefits of renewable energy, in particular, solar and wind energy, is already well established across Europe, and in other parts of the world. With the increase in sales of electric vehicles (EVs) over the past three years, the advantages of using clean and renewable energy has been further enhanced.
Firstly, on-site renewable energy can be used for powering both business premises and homes. For on-site generation, we have witnessed a significant increase in distributed clean energy generating plants i.e. many commercial buildings and residential buildings have become generators i.e. generating electricity on-site! Solar roof projects have been popular for such on-site generation installations.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has further amplified the need to develop energy security, not only at a national level, but also at a local level, to include, businesses and households. Those households and businesses that already generate and consume clean energy on-site have been spared the significant onslaught of energy price rise in 2022, which is expected to continue in 2023.
Installing solar panels on-site, mitigates the risks associated with energy price inflation, a significant contributor to costs for a business or a household. On-site renewable energy generation also impacts the environment positively. For those with electric vehicles (EVs), in particular, pure electric vehicles, we strongly encourage the use of renewable energy for EV charging. Of course, we also encourage the use of solar energy for charging a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
Apart from the significant cost benefit i.e. generating renewable energy is a nominal cost per kWh (after initial set-up/ installation costs), to achieve true zero-tailpipe emission electric driving, renewable energy needs to be used for EV charging. This is also known as ‘well-to-wheel’. Just one electric car on the road can save an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2.
The good news for electric car owners is that a number of EV charging stations are now compatible with solar/ wind generation and battery storage. The UK manufacturer myenergi zappi is a good example of a solar/ wind compatible EV charger.
We encourage business and households to adopt an on-site ecosystem of ‘renewable energy-battery storage-EV charging’, to gain the maximum from the advantages of low carbon generation and zero-emission electric driving. Bottom-line, renewable energy is good for the environment and the wallet!
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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