Official EPA range estimates for the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge have been published and it’s slightly better than expected. The XC40 Recharge’s svelte sibling is good for 226 miles on a single charge. That’s 3 miles longer than the more practical family member thanks to its lower roofline, which helps it slip through the air better. Available only in dual-motor configuration, the C40 Recharge has 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque and AWD as standard equipment.
Among the battery-electric vehicles on the CMA platform, the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge sits between the XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2. The latter has the highest EPA ratings at 249 miles for the dual-motor version and 270 miles for the front-drive single-motor iteration that recently joined the lineup. In the U.S., Volvos 40-Series EVs will only be sold in dual-motor configuration with the C40 Recharge available only as a single fully loaded trim that starts at $59,845.
Volvo and Polestar’s slew of over-the-air (OTA) software updates were responsible for bumping the range of the XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2 for the 2022 model year. They were originally rated by the EPA at 208 miles and 233 miles respectively. A new software update that came in Oct. should bump the range of all three vehicles again once it’s reflected in the next model year since it arrived after filings for the 2022 models were already submitted.
The closest competitor to the C40 Recharge is the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, which is also available only in dual-motor configuration. However, it has less power at 295 hp and 339 lb-ft. In trade, the Q4 e-tron Sportback travels farther at 241 miles per charge. The Tesla Model Y, which competes in both luxury and mainstream segments, travels the farthest with the Long-Range model estimated to go 323 miles per charge. Performance variants are good for 303 miles while the recently discontinued Standard Range version is EPA-rated at 244 miles.
Since the CMA platform was built to accommodate internal combustion, hybrid, and fully electric powertrains, the C40 Recharge doesn’t have a flat battery pack. Instead, it has a T-shaped unit that fills in the space where a drive shaft would go to maximize space efficiency. This also provides more passenger space because it doesn’t raise the floor significantly.
The C40 Recharge is the first Volvo with a plant-based interior. Everything used in the cabin is either vegan or made from recycled components to highlight Volvo’s commitment to sustainability. On certain exterior colors, you can also opt for Fjord Blue carpeting instead of black. Like the XC40 Recharge, the C40 has nifty features like a built-in grocery bag hook that swings out of the glove box and a small trash bin in the center console. Due to its lower roofline, there’s less cargo capacity in the C40 Recharge versus its boxier sibling.
Both the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge are part of the Swedish brand’s electrification offensive. Volvo aims to go all-electric by 2030 and will continue that momentum with new vehicles on the second-generation SPA architecture. The first is the successor to the XC90, an EV that will also debut a new nameplate. That vehicle was previewed by the Recharge Concept earlier this year at Volvo’s Tech Moment event. It will be followed by the next-generation XC60.
