Volvo EC40

Specifications: Volvo EC40 Ultra Twin Engine

  • Run by: David Ross (since November 2024)
  • Price when new: £61,855 (no options)
  • Power: 408PS
  • Torque: 670Nm
  • Battery capacity: 82/79kWh (nominal/usable)
  • Claimed efficiency: 3.6 miles/kWh
  • Range: 336 miles 
  • 0-62mph: 4.7 seconds

Report 1: What's in a name? The Volvo EC40 joins us for the next 6 months

We're running the newly renamed Volvo EC40 for the next 6 months as our household switches to two fully electric cars. How will the transition go?

Date: 4 November 2024 | Current mileage: 264 | Claimed efficiency: 3.6 miles/kWh | Actual efficiency: 3.4 miles/kWh

Having gone from electric to diesel power over the past 12 months, I'm now switching back to an EV - in the shape of the Volvo EC40 which replaces the diesel Mazda CX-60 on the HonestJohn long term fleet.

First off you may be wondering about the name. Yes this did used to be called the C40 Recharge but a few months ago Volvo changed the naming system. It binned off the word Recharge and renamed the electric versions of both the Volvo XC40 and C40. The former is now called the EX40 with the 'coupe' version that we're running renamed the Volvo EC40. 

It means that Volvo models will no longer feature 'Recharge' badging. Handy as it was very confusing when it was used on both fully electric and plug-in hybrid models.

Our EC40 is the higher specification Ultra trim which adds extras like pixel LED headlights, a 360 camera and the Harman Kardon Premium sound system. We've also gone for the more powerful Twin Motor version with all-wheel drive. Finished in Sage Green with Tailored Wool Blend seats, the total list price is £61,855. 

We've got the Volvo EC40 for the next 6 months and it signifies a big change on our household. Having parted ways with our ageing Audi Q7 which was becoming increasingly expensive to maintain, we made the move to electric, buying a used Audi e-tron 50. And with the arrival of the Volvo EC40 it means that both the cars on our drive are now electric. 

For us, the move to an EV is a no brainer. Last year the Q7 covered less than 3000 miles, which is not good for a diesel. Most of our journeys are local with a regular 100 mile-round trip to see relatives. So our own car spends most of its time covering short mileages - ideal for an EV.

That's not to say it's not slightly daunting. We do have trips to Cornwall, Northumberland and a holiday to Holland in the pipeline for the next six months - but all will just require a bit more planning than before. Hopefully we won't regret selling our old diesel.

However, we're already enjoying cheaper running costs thanks to our OVO Anytime tariff (more on that later) and certainly not missing getting diesel on our hands everytime we fill up at the local Esso. So far the switch the EV is looking positive. Let's see how that pans out over the next year...

Report 2: Volvo wireless CarPlay solved. Sort of...

Despite being a 2024 car, our new Volvo EC40 doesn't come with wireless Apple CarPlay. But there is a way to solve the issue.

Date: 9 December 2024 | Current milege: 702 | Claimed economy: 3.6 miles/kWh | Actual economy: 3.5 miles/kWh

While it may have been called something before, our Volvo EC40 is ostensibly a new 2024 car. With all the modern features and tech you'd expect from a model costing north of £60k. That is apart from one. Because while our EC40 has Apple CarPlay, it still requires a cable to connect.

Yes this may sound like a first world problem, but at a time when pretty much every new car I test has wireless CarPlay, going back to using a wire seems decidedly old hat. To make things slightly more awkward, the EC40 is modern enough to only have USB-C connectors, so I don't actually have a cable that will work. Useful.

It's very much at odds with the rest of the EC40 which feels modern. So for example, I can turn the climate on remotely using the Volvo app and check it's locked wherever it's parked. But if I want Apple CarPlay I've got to plug my phone in.

It's not the only Volvo that still requires a cable for Apple CarPlay. It was the same story in the Volvo V60 Polestar I ran in 2021. In fact, across the Volvo range only the Volvo EX30 is currenty available with wireless Apple CarPlay. It will be added to the new Volvo EX90 in the not-too-distant future.

According to Volvo, there are no plans to offer wireless CarPlay in the rest of the existing Volvo range, including the EC40. But fear not, a quick search on Amazon (where else) reveals there's a solution to this. Because there's a whole load of different wireless adaptors you can buy with prices starting at about £25.

So I bought the one pictured above for a grand total of £26.99 from that well known Chinese brand XIXIXIAXIA. Yes that is it's name apparently. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much but this has been one of my best Amazon buys.

It connected straight away and immediately linked with my phone to show CarPlay on the central screen. Since then, my phone has automatically connected every time I've got into the car. It's proved more reliable and quicker than most in-car wireless systems I've used. 

So while it's not the neatest solution - and is easy to knock out when picking up your phone - it does at least mean no more messing with cables. Which makes you question why a wireless system can't be installed in the first place? 

Report 3: Is the Volvo EC40 practical enough as a family car?

With its coupe-inspired swoopy hatch, the EC40 loses out on space compared to the XC40, but it's still surprisingly practical.

Date: 9 January 2025 | Mileage: 1244 | Claimed economy: 3.6 miles/kWh | Actual economy: 3.5 miles/kWh

Our Volvo EC40 has proven impressive so far but that's been mainly with just me driving and perhaps one of the children either in the back or sat next to me. Anything that involves all five of us (and often the dog) usually means taking our bigger Audi e-tron.

However, a recent episode that involved me forgetting to plug-in the e-tron to charge, meant that the Volvo EC40 was pressed into service for a weekend of trips to the shops, visits to relatives and a dog walk at the local woods. In other words, normal life.

While the EC40 is obviously the less practical version of the Volvo XC40 (I chose it for the looks), turns out it can still do a job as a family SUV. True it's a bit cramped in the back for three children, especially when the youngest is in a hefty Cybex car seat.

That's not helped by the raised floor in the middle or the rear facing ar vents which are prime knee smacking height. But it's still do-able and we didn't have any complaints from out older two, who in a rare moment of compromise, decided to swap between the middle and the outside seats each time we stopped somewhere.

We removed the parcel shelf so the dog wasn't sat in the dark and she was quite content back there. It's not the biggest boot by any means - we certainly wouldn't entertain a trip to Ikea in it. I should also point out that our dog is a Dachshund. I imagine Labrador would find it a bit tight for space...

Over the weekend, the EC40 was certainly better than I expected with all five of us in it. I've always traditionally had big cars with big boots (past choices include a Skoda Superb Estate and an Audi Q7) but we actually managed okay with the much more compact Volvo.

The children were also big fans of the panoramic glass roof, although personally I don't like the fact there's no sliding cover. I've generally never been that fussed about seeing what's above me when driving.

With the recent cold weather, there's been a drop in range, as is expected with an EV. It's something I'll be keeping an eye on and reporting in my next update. 

Report 4: How much does temperature affect EV range?

With temperatures dropping to below freezing overnight, we've seen the range of our Volvo EC40 drop considerably.

Date: 11 February 2025 | Current mileage: 2059 | Claimed economy: 3.6 miles/kWh | Actual economy: 3.5 miles/kWh

With our Volvo EC40 arriving with us in November, we've not had the delights of a warm summer yet, but with temperatures hovering around 10C, the EV range has been reasonable. The official figures for the Volvo EC40 Twin Motor have the range at 336 miles and so far we've not seen anywhere near that, but when it first arrived the on board range was still showing around 250 miles from a 90% charge. 

In fact, we've yet to charge our Volvo EC40 up to the maximum 100%, instead sticking to the recommended 90% in order to preserve battery life. This is slightly more than the norm - our Audi e-tron recommends 80% charge for everday use, as do the majority of Volkswagen Group electric cars we've tested.

But with temperatures dropping and regular overnight frosts, we're seeing the range in our Volvo EC40 drop considerably. It will be no surprise to EV owners of course. Low temperatures are not a friend of EVs. Cold weather increases charging time, while cold batteries have a smaller capacity than warm batteries, which reduces their lifespan. 

When it comes to range, there's no hard and fast rule. But in temperatures close to freezing, you can expect anything from a 10% to 30% decrease in range. The fact you're more likely to have the air con on full blitz and will be using the heated seats if you've got them, all further reduces the range.

Our Volvo EC40 also comes with a heated steering wheel which, for me, is one of the best innovations of our time. It may reduce the range, but in cold weather I pretty much have it on all the time. It doesn't help that I refuse to wear gloves, no matter how cold it is.

We've seen pretty big variations in the range of our EC40. The lowest was just 170 miles early on one very cold morning, although remember this is from a 90% charge rather than a full 100%. Other days this has sat at 198 miles and 205 miles, at seemingly similar temperatures according to the on board display at least.

if spring does ever arrive and we see warmer weather, I'm hoping to see these figures improve to be closer to that 300 mile mark. Either way the Volvo EC40 is still far better than our 2020 Audi e-tron 50 which struggles to get to 120 miles on a full 100% charge.

One good thing is the ability to turn on the climate control on the EC40 to warm it up ahead of time. I've got a schedule set up so it's warm when I have early starts which I (and the children) appreciate on the school run.