Volvo EC40

• Report 1: What's in a name? The Volvo EC40 joins us for the next 6 months
• Report 2: Volvo wireless CarPlay solved. Sort of...

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?