Swedish car manufacturer Volvo is determined to become a fully electric carmaker by 2030, and that’s why it’s now ironing out the naming of its electric models, all consequentially starting with an ‘E’. Volvo’s first fully electric XC40 Recharge, made in Ghent (Belgium), among others, becomes the ‘EX40’, and the first electric sedan C40 that is built alongside will be an ‘EC40’.

They are now seamlessly fitting in with Volvo’s other fully electric models, the company states: the EX30, EX90, and EM90. The XC40 name remains for internal combustion-powered variants of the model. The ‘Recharge’ label is also disappearing for the plugin-hybrids, which are now denoted simply by the T6 or T8 suffix, indicating different power output levels.

Power upgrade as a bonus

“By aligning our trailblazing first electric models with the rest of our electric car portfolio, we simplify choice for consumers as we continue to electrify our line-up and refresh our hybrids,” says Björn Annwall, Volvo’s commercial officer and deputy CEO in the press release.

The new name for the EX40 and EC40 comes with a ‘power’ bonus for the versions with twin engines: a software update triggers an extra 25 kW for faster acceleration by unique pedal mapping and a ‘Performance’ drive mode to unlock the total 325 kW.

But it won’t come free of charge. The Performance software will be offered ‘in available markets’ as an optional upgrade pack via the Volvo Cars app for new cars and owners of the 2024 CX40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models.

Black Edition

For those loving the ‘dark side’ of Volvo, there will also be a special Black Edition of the EX40, EC40, and XC40 models, following the XC60 Black Edition launched last year. The Black Edition models come with Onyx Black paint, high gloss black badging, 20-inch five-spoke alloys in high gloss black, and the choice between microtech or textile charcoal interiors.