While it’s all good and well that big automakers are going all-in on electric vehicles, purchasing one for use in South Africa is often a difficult and expensive experience. Volvo’s similarly expensive XC40 P8, is now available for pre-order.

Rest, Relax, Recharge with Volvo

The XC40 P8 is Volvo’s first full-electric vehicle. It’s got two electric motors capable of putting out 304 kW of power and 660 Nm, and it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, which is impressive for an EV.

The automaker is also set on making it easier for South Africans to buy an XC40 P8. You can pre-order one from the My Volvo website and have it delivered to you, so you don’t have to even leave your home. Which is great when you’ve got a pandemic going on outside.

The vehicle also comes with the Volvo CARE package. This nets you 3 years of insurance, a 5-year warranty and maintenance plan, a home charger and access to a petrol car for two weeks a year for two years to act as a stand-in if your battery is giving you troubles. How considerate.

Volvo SA’s Managing Director, Greg Maruszewski, explained that the company wants to make EVs more attractive to SA buyers. “All-electric vehicles sold in South Africa have traditionally come with hefty price tags – and this has undoubtedly been a deterrent. We know that there is an appetite in South Africa for electric cars and we were determined to give customers an attractive price.” Riiiight…

Maruszweski also touched on the company’s plans for an all-electric future. “The Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge all-electric is clearly a sign of things to come; last month the company announced that it would only manufacture electric cars by 2030, with all sales to be online. So, our future is clear, and it will be fully electric, sustainable, and online,”

The XC40 P8 starts at R1,200,000 and pre-orders are open now.

Source: Cars