The Volvo XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge will Become the EX40 and EC40 in a Bid to Reduce Confusion

For the past few years, Volvo has offered two kinds of models under the Recharge umbrella: fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid models. While this strategy made it easy to distinguish more sustainable Volvo models from their traditional gasoline and mild-hybrid powered companions, it made it quite difficult to single out EVs.

This will change for the 2025 model year, since Volvo has announced the current XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge electric SUVs will be renamed the EX40 and EC40 respectively. This will not only make it clear that these models are powered by electrons only, but it will also make them fit in better with the new EX30 and EX90, which will join the lineup soon.

In addition to this, the plug-in hybrid models which were also called Recharge up to now will see their powertrains being rebranded simply to T6 or T8 depending on their power level. This means that the Recharge name will be retired completely, making way for a unique naming convention for both EVs and PHEVs.

Conventional mild-hybrid models, which include every Volvo vehicle sold in Canada without an EV or a plug-in system, will retain their current B5 and B6 nomenclature. This doesn’t mean that there won’t be any change on that front however, since the B5 versions of the XC60 and XC90 will receive a new combustion cycle that will reduce polluting emissions while improving fuel efficiency, by up to 4% in the smaller of the two SUVs.

This strategic shift aligns with Volvo's progressive ambition to transition into a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030. The company witnessed a remarkable surge in fully electric car sales in 2023, constituting 16 percent of global volumes—a noteworthy 70 percent increase from the preceding year. With the imminent introduction of two new fully electric models, the EX30 and the EX90, Volvo's electric portfolio will soon boast four models, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in sustainable automotive solutions.

To go along with their name change, the 2025 Volvo EX40 and EC40 will also introduce a Performance software pack for the Twin Motor variants, enhancing power output by 34 horsepower for an exhilarating acceleration experience. The pack, which will be available at purchase for new vehicles and through a software update for compatible 2024 models, also introduces unique pedal mapping for swift accelerator response and a dedicated 'Performance' drive mode, unlocking the full 436 horsepower potential.

A Black Edition modelled on the one offered to XC60 buyers will also be added for both the EX40 and the EC40, in addition to the gas-powered XC40.

To summarize, Volvo will provide a clearer picture to consumers by bringing a higher level of consistency in its naming strategy for vehicles powered by different energy sources while also adding features to its two current electric models and boosting the efficiency of the entry-level versions of its most popular SUVs.