The XC40 Recharge accounted for 20% of all EV sales through that platform. The figures furthermore show that the XC40 Recharge experienced a 1,550% year-on year increase in used car sales moving from the ninth most sold used EV in 2022 to most sold in 2023.

“The XC40 Recharge’s dominance of both the premium C-SUV EV segment and the broader EV space in South Africa last year is proof of just how well South African buyers have received this particular model on both the new and used-car markets. And with the exciting new EX30 having just joined the local line-up, we’re certainly not stopping there,” says Greg Maruszewski, Volvo Car SA Managing Director.

In the new-vehicle space, the XC40 Recharge climbed to the summit of South Africa’s EV sales charts last year, moving up from the third position it occupied in 2022. In fact, local registrations of the fully electric XC40 more than tripled compared to the prior year, handing this nameplate a considerable 16.6% share of the total EV market.

The XC40 Recharge – which was crowned the best New Energy Vehicle at the 2023 Old Mutual Insure South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition – is offered in either Single Motor Plus or Twin Motor Ultimate guise, with the rear-driven derivative generating 175 kW and 330 Nm, and the all-wheel-drive variant offering peak outputs of 300 kW and 660 Nm.

Every derivative in Volvo Car SA’s line-up features some form of electrification, ranging from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and EVs. This is in line with Volvo’s goal of half its global sales volume comprising fully electric cars by 2025, with the remainder taking the form of hybrids.

By 2030, the Swedish luxury car firm plans for every new vehicle it sells to be completely electric, demonstrating its steadfast commitment to a zero-emission future.