Volvo’s plug-in hybrid models gain popularity among South African buyers
Volvo, renowned for its commitment to safety, experiences a surge in demand for its plug-in hybrid vehicles in South Africa.
The Volvo XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid takes the lead, contributing to a remarkable 55% year-on-year increase in registrations.
Over the first nine months of 2023, registrations of Volvo’s plug-in hybrid vehicles in South Africa grew by more than 33%, compared with the same reporting period in 2022. This comes after the Gothenburg-based firm recently detailed its dominance of the fully electric premium C-SUV segment.
Both the XC60 and XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrids, which are each available locally in a choice of four generously equipped derivatives, combine an efficient turbocharged petrol engine with a rear-mounted electric motor fed by an upgraded 18.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Total system outputs stand at a lofty 340kW and 709Nm in each case.
In addition to impressive levels of performance, the XC60 Recharge plug-in powertrain offers 81km of all-electric range, while the XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid delivers up to 77km of likewise zero-emission driving (both figures based on WLTP data). Greg Maruszewski, managing director of Volvo Car South Africa, points to this capability as a key selling point.
“Thanks to an improved battery capacity, our XC60 and XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrids offer the customer the choice of using electric power for much, if not all, of their everyday commute, while still being able to undertake longer journeys thanks to the petrol engine. It’s this flexibility that we see resonating increasingly with South African buyers,” said Maruszewski.
By 2030, the Swedish luxury firm plans for every new vehicle it sells to be completely electric, demonstrating its steadfast commitment to a zero-emission future.
Source: MotorPress
