ELECTRIC CARS
WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD 54
Volvo goes electric in the Middle East
The fully electric XC40 BEV compact SUV
Al-Futtaim unveils the fully electric XC40 BEV compact SUV
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l-Futtaim’s Trading Enterprises, the official distributor of Volvo Cars in the UAE, has unveiled its first fully electric car in the Middle East. The XC40 BEV is a compact SUV designed for modern urban living. The launch marks another milestone in Volvo’s journey to a zero-emission future and as part of its commitment to sustainability by only selling electric vehicles by 2030. Increasing the use of sustainable materials is just one way the XC40 Recharge helps reduce its environmental impact. For example, the interior carpeting is made entirely from recycled plastic. Over 200,000km, an XC40 Recharge twin has a lower carbon impact than a petrol-powered XC40 T5, irrespective of the charging electricity mix (global, EU or wind). The battery has a nominal capacity of
FEBRUARY 2022
78kWh. A fully charged battery gives drivers a projected range of up to 418km in mixed driving before it needs a recharge. “We’re seeing significant growth in demand for BEV technology and smaller compact SUVs as consumers are starting to adopt and embrace the new technology,” says Oscar Rivoli, Managing Director of Trading Enterprises. “Electrified cars remain highly desirable for individuals who appreciate top technology and want to integrate a more eco-conscious driving practice in their lifestyle. We believe demand for hybrid vehicles will continue to grow in the years to come as more people realise the benefits of hybrid mobility.” Volvo is also witnessing a worldwide increase in demand for electric vehicles. The share of cars with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Recharge models, amounted to 25.5 per cent of all cars sold
globally during the first 10 months of 2021. In October 2021, the share of Recharge BEV cars accounted for 31.5 per cent of total sales. As part of Volvo’s shift in how and where the automotive industry is engaging customers and with the goal of transforming the traditional retail model, the XC40 BEV will be available to buy online. This is aligned to Al-Futtaim’s Automotive’s omnichannel strategy to challenge the conventional car buying experience and accelerate online sales. The Volvo XC40 BEV was officially launched at the new Volvo Studio, a facility designed to modernise the vehicle-buying experience for customers with tailored services, activations and more. Volvo Studio is located in Dubai Festival Plaza, Jebel Ali, open daily from 10am to 10pm. Visit volvocars.com/en-ae/studios/dubai
