In the first half of 2021 Volvo SA announced that it would be bringing EVs to SA. The very first model scheduled to arrive would be the XC40 P8 Recharge. Earlier this week the very first example of automaker’s battery powered SUV touched down in SA.

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South African EV fans are in for a bumper year. There are a slew of new plug-in models on the way from premium brands such as Audi (read more here) BMW and Mercedes-Benz (check out the SA line-up at this link). But the Swedish manufacturer beat them all to the punch with the recent introduction of the Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge. The new owner has already taken delivery of their car in Johannesburg.

Check out this locally built homage to one of the most famous touring cars of all time, the Volvo 850 Estate.

No slouch

The XC40 P8 Recharge dishes up 304 kW and 660 N.m of torque from its twin electric motors ie one on each axle. Volvo says the SUV can sprint from 0-100 km/h 4,9 seconds. The electric compact model has a range of 418 km on a single charge. Owners are able to recharge up to 80 per cent of its battery capacity in just 40 minutes with the use of a fast charger. 

Check out SA’s cheapest electric car at this link.

Added benefits

The range-topping XC40 P8 Recharge cost costs R1,2 million and can only be ordered via the My Volvo website. Greg Maruszewski, managing director at Volvo Car South Africa, says the purchase of the brand’s first pure electric model comes with all manner of additional benefits.

“The XC40 P8 Recharge ships standard with the Volvo Care package, which includes not only a five-year maintenance plan and warranty – with the battery pack covered for eight years or 160 000 km – but also three years of comprehensive insurance, use of a petrol-powered vehicle for a two week holiday every year for three years, a home charging wallbox, and all the requisite charge cables.”