Volvo Cars is streamlining and standardising its model names for fully electric cars, in line with their ongoing transformation towards becoming a fully electric car maker by 2030.

The fully electric XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models are renamed to EX40 and EC40 respectively to fit in with their other fully electric models: the EX30, EX90 and EM90.

Volvo chiefs say that the move reflects their transformation towards becoming a fully electric car manufacturer. In 2023, fully electric cars represented 16 per cent of Volvo’s global sales volumes, an increase of 70 per cent versus 2022.  The EX30, EX90 and EM90 will all hit roads this year and bring the number of fully electric models in the product portfolio to five, with several newer models to come.

In Ireland, we are getting even closer to our 2030 electrification target, last year 27% of total sales were fully electric cars. The EX30 arrived in the country earlier this year and is now available for test drives, with the EX90 expected in the second half of this year.

The update also includes the removal of Recharge badging from the plug-in hybrid models, which are now denoted simply by the T6 or T8 suffix indicating different levels of power output.

Volvo are also introducing a new Performance software pack for the EX40 and EC40 Twin Motor variants, and as an upgrade for the previous model year in selected markets. The Performance software pack, which increases power output by 25kW for faster acceleration, also includes unique pedal mapping for quicker accelerator response and a unique ‘Performance’ drive mode to unlock the full 325kW.

In Ireland, the new EC40 and EX40 will be available to order from April 3rd.