STOCKHOLM, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Volvo Cars presented its second fully-electric model on Tuesday. The C40 Recharge is described as a lower and sleeker SUV and production is set to commence in the fall.
According to a company press release, the new model has twin electric motors, one on the front and one on the rear axle, and is powered by a 78 kWh battery pack that Volvo Cars claims can be fast-charged to 80 percent in about 40 minutes. The range is said to be around 420 kilometers, but could likely improve over time as the car is updated over-the-air.
Just like the company's first purely-electric model, the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge comes with an infotainment system jointly developed with Google and based on the Android operating system. It comes with built-in services and apps, such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store.
Despite its low roofline, the C40 Recharge offers a high seating position. Along with a growing number of car manufacturers, Volvo Cars has also latched onto the vegan trend with the C40 Recharge being the first Volvo model free of leather.
In connection with revealing the new model, the multinational carmaker also presented its new strategy. By 2030 every car sold is to be electric and solely available online.
Getting rid of combustion engines, including plug-in hybrid models, is a natural step in the carmaker's evolution, chief technology officer Henrik Green said in a press release.
"The C40 Recharge represents the future of Volvo and shows where we are going. It is fully electric, offered online only with a convenient care package and will be available for quick delivery. Getting a new Volvo was never this attractive."
As the company is shifting away from internal combustion engines, it will roll out several new battery-electric vehicles over the coming years.
"Instead of investing in a shrinking business, we choose to invest in the future -- electric and online," CEO Hakan Samuelsson said. "We are fully focused on becoming a leader in the fast-growing premium electric segment."
Volvo Cars, acquired by Chinese automaker Geely in 2010, employed an average of 36,278 people globally during the first six months of 2020.
Headquartered in the major Swedish city of Gothenburg, Volvo Cars has main car production plants in Gothenburg, Ghent in Belgium, the U.S. state of South Carolina, and Chengdu and Daqing in China. Enditem
