TA.b Quickie - Volvo begins production of the C40 Recharge EV

I recently posted about the new C40 Recharge compact crossover coupe EV (click on previous post below) that Volvo had announced for production. Actual production started recently in Volvo's plant in Ghent, Belgium. As you may remember, the C40 Recharge shares a body and platform with Volvo's first fully-electric vehicle, the XC40 Recharge crossover. To lose the X, the C40 takes a more "coupe"-like profile than the more upright XC40 Recharge. The C40 Recharge is expected to have about 250+ miles of range due to better aerodynamics, smaller wheels, and battery and system tweaking compared to the XC40 EV. The XC40 Recharge has also received range increases for 2022. “The C40 Recharge is a car that represents our future,” said Javier Varela, senior vice president for industrial operations and quality at Volvo Cars. “Our manufacturing operations and a close collaboration with our suppliers are key in achieving our future ambitions in terms of electrification and climate neutrality. Our Ghent plant is ready for an all-electric future and will be an important part of our global industrial network for the years to come.” This is one I can't wait to see up close and personal. For more info, click on "read more" below to view the media release, and a couple of C40 Recharge pics More to come...

Source: Volvo - Media release, pics, and C40 Recharge video. Previous post.

Volvo provides XC40 recharge to NYC Fire Dept to advance EV post-collision training

Recently, Volvo USA handed over the keys to a new XC40 Recharge EV (electric vehicle) to representatives from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) for training purposes. Electric vehicles have high-voltage wiring and high-strength steel which can make passenger extraction difficult after a collision. So, if you don't have the training necessary, there could be difficulties post-crash for the occupants and the fire personnel. Volvo has always been synonymous with safety, so "As the automotive industry and Volvo Cars in particular speed toward an electric future, our world will see changes that reach far beyond how drivers power their cars. This includes the experience first responders will have with these vehicles,” said Eric Miller, Vice President of the Northeast Region for Volvo Car USA. “The XC40 Recharge we have donated will help ready the FDNY for this future, and we’re proud to support them as they continue the vital work of protecting the communities they serve.” When you;re considering a new EV, this isn't one of the first things you think of although many new EVs like Tesla for example, have stellar crash survivability with doors that open after a collision and occupants walking away, in many cases, unharmed. But this is still good news for EV owners and shows just how committed Volvo is to an "electric" future. Media release viewable by clicking on "read more" below.

Source: Volvo - Media release, pics

Volvo Concept recharge reflects the pure-electric future of Volvo

Volvo has taken the wraps off of the Concept Recharge (Recharge is what Volvo currently calls their EVs) which is a very clean, attractive design that is indicative of Volvos to come.  While no specifics were given at this time, Volvo is showcasing what is possible with an EV platform. You get flat floors. A larger interior compared to overall size (see rendering after the media release) and easier placement of safety equipment, etc. The beautiful design is instantly recognizable as a Volvo and follows Volvo's Scandinavian "less is more" ethos. While looking long and sleek, the Concept Recharge maintains seat placement and eye levels that SUV/crossover buyers look for and expect. The clean design extends to the interior with a large screen that utilizes the infotainment system develop by Google and Volvo which has gotten high marks from users in the XC40 Recharge EV. Looking forward to this one. Maybe it will show up at the LA Auto Show this fall. Could the Concept Recharge reflect the next XC90 or XC60? Let's hope so. For more info, pics, and a brief video click on "read more" below.

Source: Volvo - Media Release, pics, and video

Volvo adds Charge-Point EV charging app to Google infotainment system

This is kinda cool and sort of expected. Who would have thunkit that Volvo would be the one to introduce the new ChargePoint app that allows you to not only find a place to charge your EV, but to also handle the payment transaction from inside your car...on the infotainment screen. Yeah, I know you can handle this on your phone, but now you don't even have to do that. Of course the Google Android Auto OS used in new Volvos makes synchronization with your phone extremely easy, but I guess you can take consolation that the screen is bigger and easier to read. Volvo's Recharge EVs will be the first to get the new app starting with the XC40 Recharge (below) that is slowly making its way to dealers. So how does it work?

 "When the high voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge reaches a driver-selected state of charge, the car is shifted into in Park, and available charging stations are within a half-mile radius, a visual alert appears on the 9.1-inch center touch screen, accompanied by an audible notification.

Touching the visual alert displays a list of available charging stations, their locations and pricing. The driver selects the preferred location to begin turn-by-turn navigation. The driver can also use Google Assistant to find and navigate to nearby stations by saying, “Hey Google, find a nearby ChargePoint charging station.”

Upon arrival at the charging station the driver selects the appropriate charger from the on-screen list and touches the green “Start Charging” button. Using GPS location and cellular technology the app communicates with the ChargePoint network to activate the selected charger and release the plug. At that point the driver can get out of the car, remove the plug from the charger and plug in the car.

Payment information is stored in a driver’s ChargePoint account and eliminates the need to use a phone,"

Easy and another reason to check out the new Volvo EVs. Check out the media information and video after the "read more" jump.

Source: Volvo - Media information, pics

TA.b - Here ya go -10.20

In the Here ya go posts, I'll provide links to articles I think might be of interest as well as info that I've found or been made aware of. 

Recently, I read a couple of articles (one, two) about a new company called EV West that has developed an electric motor conversion that will bolt in anywhere a small-block Chevy will fit. EV Wesr is reconditioning Tesla motors (from crashes?, since Tesla currently doesn't sell individual parts) to be installed in place of the small-block V8s. 

This made me think about a company that I was aware of for some time called Zelectric that is headquartered down near San Diego. Zelectric has been modifying vintage Volkswagens and Porsches for some time. The pic above is an example of their work. Zelectric will convert your VW or Porsche to electric power or you can buy cars that have already been converted. You can also ask them to find you a specific car for conversion. Check out Zelectric's project gallery to see cars that have been converted as well as ones that are in the conversion process.

Some conversions utilize the existing car's transmission and axles, etc. and just replace the motors. One of the joys of EV ownership is the reduced maintenance that EVs provide. I question whether these swaps still require regular maintenance (where would you get it?) and if the mechanical bits will stand up to the unique properties of an electric motor (instant torque, high revs, etc.). I'm sure that either of these companies can answer those and other questions.

Posts I think you should be aware of:

Tesla's record deliveries - Electrek,

Volvo begins XC40 Recharge production - Green Car Reposts,

Polestar 2 experiencing shutdowns - CNET Road Show,

Polestar recall - Inside EVs.

Source: Various

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD model heads to the streets

Volvo Cars of Sweden and the company's current owners Zhejiang Geely Holding of China have been on a roll since Geely's takeover in 2010. With the capital infusion that Volvo needed, the company's line-up has been totally overhauled with numerous additions like the model highlighted here, the Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD (say that ten times fast). The compact XC40 crossover is one of Volvo's stand outs with its good-looks and convenient size. Volvo is committed to releasing an all-electric version of each of its models (with the rest being hybrids) within the next few years. This will allow Volvo to reduce emissions, improve gas mileage numbers, and improve overall efficiency. Plus consumers are moving in this direction...

The XC40 Recharge's battery pack is mounted low in the car's frame (see pic after the jump) which improves space utilization and lowers the car's center of gravity for improved handling. Early tests reveal an expected 200 mile range with decent fast-charging rates. Horsepower numbers from the electric motors (front and rear for all-wheel drive) jump to 402 with instant EV torque.  More weight from the batteries will slow things down a bit, but expect a performance improvement over the gas model.

The interior is updated with a new infotainment system based on the Android Operating system that is fully integrated with Volvo On Call.

Overall this is a good-looking EV that should find many happy owners. Improvements over time will increase range to where the XC40 Recharge (the name for Volvo EVs) could become your every car. A 200-mile range figure before recharging is satisfactory for most folks though. I hope we see many of these out on the road. Not sure about the body-colored grille though. I guess there is satin black paint to fix that.