ICE freeze! Big change for 2024 Volvo XC40 and XC60 SUVs in Australia!
The XC60 and XC40 ranges have shrunk, but for good reason. (Image credit: Tom White)
Volvo has ramped up its shift to full electrification by dropping all non-electrified versions of each of its models.
The Chinese-owned Swedish brand announced some time ago that it would transition to battery electric vehicles only in Australia by 2026.
But Volvo still offered some exclusively petrol-powered grades of the XC40 and XC60 SUVs. However, it has dropped those powertrain variants and now only offers 48-volt mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV grades across its range.
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For the XC40, as well as the two Recharge electric grades, it is available in Plus, Ultimate Bright and Ultimate Dark specification with the company’s B4 145kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with mild hybrid tech.
The XC60 is now down to B5 Plus and Ultimate Bright grades with a 183kW mild hybrid, or Ultimate Dark B6 with a 220kW unit. The mid-size SUV is also offered as the T8 Ultimate plug-in hybrid, with a driving range of 81km.
Volvo dropped the XC40 plug-in hybrid in April last year, and dropped all diesel grades in the same year.
According to a Volvo spokesperson, 37 per cent of all Volvo sales so far this year, to the end of August, have been for full EV models - that’s close to 3000 units.
Volvo has more EVs on the horizon, including the EX90 family SUV and the EX30 compact crossover. The EM90 people mover is also expected to be revealed this year ahead of a global launch in 2024.
The company has plans for a global transition to full EV by 2030, but the Australian arm will join its Polestar sister brand and get there early, by 2026.
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