Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Blogs
December 06, 2019 07:26 AM

How Tesla influenced a key element of Volvo’s first EV

Douglas A. Bolduc
Managing Editor of Automotive News Europe
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    volvoxc40bev-driver-side-charging-05.jpg

    Volvo will assemble the XC40 Recharge's 78-kWh battery in Ghent, Belgium.

    Volvo Chief Technology Officer Henrik Green says the arrival of the Tesla Model 3 midway through the development of the Swedish automaker’s first full-electric car was a game changer.

    When Tesla decided to offer the Model 3 with a battery pack with a top capacity of more than 70 kilowatt hours Volvo knew it had to respond.

    “We increased the battery size,” Green told Automotive News Europe. “We thought we had a good balance between cost and size before, but when we saw that come out we said, ‘Maybe they have a point here’.”

    That is why Volvo chose a 78 kWh battery for the XC40 Recharge rather than a powerpack that Green said would have been in the 60s for kWh.

    “We put in some extra modules,” the CTO said. “It moves the price point up a bit but it adds range so we would be in the same area” as the Model 3.

    Volvo has not announced official pricing for the XC40 Recharge, but it is expected to be similar to its sister model, the Polestar 2, which will sell for 39,900 to 59,900 euros.

    Volvo says the XC40 Recharge can travel more than 400 km under WLTP testing while the Model 3’s base model, which starts as 44,390 euros in Germany, has a range of 409 km. The Model 3’s long-range variant can go 560 km on a single charge and starts at 54,090 euros.

    Green revealed another secret about the XC40 Recharge.

    “I wasn’t as confident when we made this decision three years ago,” to make the XC40 Recharge Volvo’s first battery-electric vehicle. “I thought it was much more of a gamble, but now I think it’s in the perfect position.”

    That is because it is poised to be the only full-electric SUV in the 40,000 to 60,000 euro price range when it arrives on the market next year.

    Other battery-electric crossovers – such as the Jaguar I-Pace (79,450 euros), Mercedes-Benz EQC (71,281 euros) and Tesla Model X (91,700 euros) – are much more expensive.

    Green’s only regret now? “That we couldn’t have it on the market yesterday.”

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    What Xpeng has learned from 'big brother' Tesla's mistakes
    Recommended for You
    Xpeng P5 side view during testing in Netherlands 2022
    What Xpeng has learned from 'big brother' Tesla's mistakes
    Ford Bronco 2022
    Ford Bronco goes from nerve-wracking to money maker for Webasto
    Xavier Ros (left) and Alexander Lutz
    VW Group, Polestar Rising Stars get key promotions
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
        • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us