Volvo stops the confusion by renaming electric XC40 to EX40

Volvo has announced that it’s standardising the model names for its electric car line-up, with two models getting name changes.

The fully electric XC40 Recharge and its sloped roof C40 Recharge sibling will now be called the EX40 and EC40 respectively, bringing the name of both models in line with the rest of the Swedish carmaker’s electric range which currently consists of the EX30, EX90, and EM90. We should also point out that the petrol-powered XC40 will retain its current name.

Volvo will also remove ‘Recharge’ badging from its plug-in hybrid models and will now simply refer to them by the ‘T6’ and ‘T8’ suffixes that denote their power output.

With that being said, the brand hopes that these changes will clear up any confusion its customers had in the past while making it easier for new buyers to peruse its model range.

“By aligning our trailblazing first electric models with the rest of our electric car portfolio, we simplify choice for consumers as we continue to electrify our line-up and refresh our hybrids,” says Björn Annwall, Volvo’s Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy CEO.

It’s probably a good time to mention that EX40s and EC40s equipped with twin electric motors can now be optioned with a ‘Performance’ software upgrade, increasing power output by 25kW, introducing a new driving mode, and sharpening up the accelerator response. However, the go faster update will only be offered in select markets.

Both renamed EVs and the XC40 can now be clad in an optional Black Edition guise, but this special edition has yet to be confirmed for New Zealand.

As for Volvo’s mild-hybrid offerings, the B5 variants of the XC60 and XC90 that we get here will be fitted with engines that have a “more efficient combustion cycle” that produces less carbon dioxide emissions and achieves greater fuel economy.