Review: We Put Volvo's XC40 Recharge Pure Electric To The Test

They say that one of the big attractions of the new fuel-free fleet is the fun driving experience. This was certainly the case with our Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric. No key to turn, no gearstick, no parking brake, no revving motor sounds. Without all that car “stuff” the interior gives space-agey vibes. It’s so quiet I kept wondering if I’d accidentally turned it off – and the speedy accelera- tion without the engine noise means you really need to watch your speed (or maybe that’s a me problem).

It certainly felt more thrilling than being behind the wheel of my own fossil-fuel-reliant drive. And you can’t underestimate the most thrilling emotion of all: smugness – especially when zooming past petrol stations while bowser prices soar.

There’s plenty of cool tech and safety additions: the blind-spot side mirror alerts and the lane-keep assist were my faves – who knew I haven’t been sticking to my lane my whole life? The Google-integrated entertainment hub that sits in the middle console looks awesome and delivers Google maps, while making it easy to blast out my fave bangers.

But all of those new car bells and whistles highlight the fact that an EV is still just a car. Wheels go around and get you from A to B. In this new, fuel-free world, battery options and charging logistics are the new territory you need to consider.

Is Bigger Better?

Generally, larger batteries allow for greater distances between charges, but they also cost more, and the added weight requires more energy. So, in this case bigger may not necessarily be better.

Like any new car purchase you need to work out your actual range requirements. It might help to keep a log to evaluate how you’ll use the car: do you mostly drive in the city or the country? How many passengers do you typically carry? Will you need to tow or to attach a bike rack? Understanding usage will guide you in selecting the right size, capacity and battery range.

Beating The Fear

Range anxiety is real, people. It’s the fear of running out of power before finding a place to charge, and is appar- ently a major hurdle to EV ownership. But even if long trips are a frequent part of your routine, don’t let that deter you from buying an EV. Australia’s charging infrastructure is still developing, but more sites are being added across the country every week. Longer trips just require a little planning, and there are plenty of websites and apps that do this for you, pinpointing charging stations along your route. But for around town, many EV owners choose to use an at-home charger, which can cost anywhere from a few hundred to many thousands – so do your homework.

For me, finding a public charger was easy, but understanding the variables around charging types and output took a bit of exploring. Different EVs use different plugs, and these impact charging speed and station compatibility. Some charging stations require you to use your own cable, and you might need an adapter. But I feel familiarity will breed more contentment in this space, so hang in there.

After returning from our 200km road trip down the coast, the battery was down to 50 per cent so I used one of the apps to find a public charger at our local IKEA, where it took roughly an hour to recharge. Meatballs may have been consumed.

Show Me The Money

While the upfront cost of EVs may be higher, servicing a car without all those moving parts is cheaper (though it’s wise to enquire about specific servicing costs as these can vary). Similarly, do some research on insurance, as those prices can also fluctuate. Don’t forget to check out government incentives, too.

For me, our weekend trip would have probably cost us half a tank of petrol, or roughly $70. The battery recharge cost only $28. Plug me in.