5th Report: The 1% club
To the combustion-loving layman, range anxiety is still very much a prevalent antagonist in the world of electric cars. Even though the charging network has progressed massively in the last five years, those who aren’t in the know still tend to think that you’re going to run out of juice just nipping to the supermarket. Cross country motorway journeys? You can forget about it.
Having driven electric cars for a fair few years now – through the good, the bad and the Twizy – I can confidently say that range anxiety, at least for me, is a thing of the past.
I’ve been driving the Volvo EC40 for just under six months, and every week with it gives me thicker skin when it comes to so-called range anxiety. Recharge breaks while travelling up and down the country have become a welcomed norm. And I will happily let the Volvo sit on my drive with 30% range for over a week, confident that under half a battery will get me pretty much anywhere I need to go in a pinch.
A recent long distance drive allowed me to really test my pain threshold for range anxiety. Returning to the car at the train station, I was in a rush, so I didn’t have time to come up with a pit stop plan for charging. And I didn’t have time to boost the car’s battery, which was at 90%.
I punched in my home address to find that I was 195 miles and 3.5 hours away. The EC40’s built-in Google Maps – which gives a real-time prediction of your arrival range – said that I’d make it with just 1% battery remaining. I decided to wing it.
I set off knowing that I’d have to keep my eye on the range and on service stations with charging facilities. After an hour or so however, my squeaky bum became a lot more relaxed as the 1% predicated arrival range had gone up to 5%. There were a few traffic hiccups along the way, but the range was seemingly unaffected, as Google Maps had factored said stoppages in.
The EC40’s built-in Google Maps was great in this respect, as it’s specifically tailored to EV driving – unlike standard Google Maps which is available through your phone via Android Auto or Apple Carplay.
Google Maps kept me up to speed on nearby charging stations in the form of pop-up locations of interest. In the EC40, it even automatically plans in a charging pitstop at around 10% capacity, ensuring you haven’t forgotten to keep an eye on your range.
The dreaded 1% that became 5%, eventually became 14% when I arrived home. I survived. And I was pretty anxiety-less the entire trip home, finding solace in the fact that the EC40’s Google Maps had my back and that a charging station was just a quick click away.
This trip was a good test of the EC40’s predicted total range of 340 miles – which is more like 250 miles in real world driving. It was also a good test of its range reliability, which is everything when it comes to trip planning with an EV.
More than anything else however, it was testament to how far the UK’s charging network has come. Setting off on a long distance trip, knowing I was going to be cutting it close, used to be a fun experiment. It felt like there was risk involved. But the fun experiment is no more – which is a good thing.
| Model | Volvo EC40 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range |
| P11D price | £58,300 |
| As tested | £58,300 |
| Official WLTP range | 341 miles |
| Our average consumption | 3.3 miles/kWh |
| Mileage | 5,333 |
4th Report: Are you not entertained?
For many people, the most appealing prospect of an EV is, of course, its all-electric power. The ability to cruise from one place to another without having to rely on traditional petrol or diesel pit stops.
But when people ask me about the latest electric car I’ve driven, I almost always exclusively talk about its in-car tech. After driving umpteen EVs, the techy frills are what I most look forward to. The electric powertrain side of things has reached a bit of a plateau, which is to say that a lot of electric cars are very much the same (ish). Similar size battery options and range, charging speeds, driving style etc.
The Volvo EC40 for example is your typical EV offering – in a good way. It offers a pretty reliable 250-mile range, the ride is smooth, it’s quiet, and it charges fast. But for those looking to put one on their driveway indefinitely, I thought it would be handy to talk about what it’s like to live with day-to-day.
The portrait touchscreen system has been an instant highlight with both myself and passengers. Not only does it help you see lists of contacts and songs better, but the elongated shape also makes sense when it comes to showing you the road ahead when using any sort of sat-nav. You can view the ensuing blue line for miles – which helps keep “are we there yet?” questions at bay.
If you do want a more traditional widescreen map readout, you can plaster your route the full length of the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, which looks fantastic. Something worth noting is just how much visibility you have of the instrument cluster through the steering wheel, something that is very hit and miss nowadays with swanky, convoluted steering wheel designs running amok.
While the steering wheel controls aren’t much to shout about, they are easy to digest at least. There are two main toggles: one for the cruise control and one for the volume, track skipping and instrument cluster readouts.
The only other real infotainment buttons to speak of are the ones below the portrait touchscreen. These provide shortcut functionality for volume, track skipping and front and rear defog. While these are useful, I would have liked some more nuanced climate control functions here, as you have to navigate to a separate screen to adjust temperature and fan speed, which is a bit of a faff.
Android tech is the real halo feature of the EC40’s infotainment system. Google Maps comes built-in. For most drivers – including myself – integrated Google Maps practically eliminates the need to connect your phone via Android Auto.
The EC40 does have Android Auto, although you do have to connect your phone via a USB-C cable to properly connect it. And admittedly, the infotainment system is all the better for it when you’re fully locked in to the Android Auto system. With your phone connected via Android Auto, browsing Spotify songs, Google Maps, WhatsApp messages and contacts is an absolute breeze, and it looks good too.
One of the biggest boons of the EC40’s Google Maps functionality is that it allows you to type in addresses and postcodes while on the go. A lot of cars either require you to roll to a stop or shift into park. I understand this safety precaution, but in reality, it’s just a massive inconvenience. Not with the EC40.
Speaking of safety, the cameras in the EC40 are excellent. As well as having a crystal clear, wide-angle reversing camera, there’s also 360-degree capability, giving you a bird’s eye view of the car, and the option to view each camera individually – which is great when emerging from a blind driveway.
The adaptive cruise control in the EC40 is also on point, kicking into life and squeezing the brake pedal before I even spot a car pulling in front of me.
| Model | Volvo EC40 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range |
| P11D price | £58,300 |
| As tested | £58,300 |
| Official WLTP range | 341 miles |
| Our average consumption | 3.3 miles/kWh |
| Mileage | 4,140 |
3rd Report: Crossover coupe, meet family life
I’m always a little apprehensive when taking delivery of any sort of compact SUV. Being a family with two young kids – and a dog – that’s constantly going for days out, we need a bit of wiggle room. When I heard that I was going to be driving the Volvo EC40 for six months – I was a little worried we were going to struggle for space. It’s a crossover coupe SUV – the dreaded double whammy for families. So how have we been getting on? Is the EC40 practical (enough)?
On paper, the EC40’s boot looks rather lackluster. At 404 litres, it’s nowhere near that of other coupé SUV rivals like the Skoda Enyaq Coupe (570 litres) and the Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback (535 litres). Day-to-day however, I’ve not found the boot to be impractical at all. It easily accommodates prams, shopping and filming gear. In fact, even with its sloping rear window, our large pop-up dog crate fits in.
You don’t get much in the way of flexibility with the boot though as the false floor isn’t height-adjustable, and the underfloor storage will only accommodate a few small bits and pieces. But the seats do fold down flat, allowing for easy storage of long objects, and the lack of a load lip is a definite plus – especially when loading the pram.
Rear space is perhaps hindered the most by the EC40’s svelte exterior. Not only do you have to dip your head under the roofline when climbing in, but you’ll only be left with an inch or two of headroom if you’re a small adult (I’m 5ft 8) and probably ruin your hairdo if you’re six foot and over.
With that said, it’s very unusual for anyone other than my four-year-old and one-year-old to be riding in the back seats, so headroom isn’t really an issue. Legroom, on the other hand, is pretty impressive – and it certainly feels SUV-worthy. Not only is there plenty of legroom for adults, but the available space also means fitting child seats is easy to do. We can usually get away with storing a few shopping bags – and even the pram – in the footwells too.
The verdict on the back seats from my four-year-old is that the touch-activated reading lights are cool for looking at books at night, and the dual USB-C chargers help keep Netflix going on his tablet. However, only small juice bottles fit in the door bins, not his big water bottle. So there you go.
My only real criticism of the EC40 up-front is that the sloping roofline negatively affects rear visibility. I have tried to adjust my rear-view mirror several times in order to mitigate said roof, but alas, no dice. Thankfully, when it comes to parking, the reversing camera is wide-angle and crystal clear.
A few general notes on practicality in the cabin; there’s simple one-button operation for the child locks for the windows and doors, Bluetooth connectivity is quick and seamless, centre console storage is vast and the cup holders are solid. The narrow door bins require a bit of finessing, and the glovebox is naff, but overall the cabin is user-friendly.
It’s slightly annoying that Android Auto still requires you to connect your phone via a cable for full-integration. However, as I’ve mentioned in previous write-ups, due to the infotainment system having Google Maps built-in, a Bluetooth connection suffices most of the time, as the only other functions I require from my phone are call and music connectivity.
So far, the Volvo EC40 is more than holding its own with the family.
| Model | Volvo EC40 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range |
| P11D price | £58,300 |
| As tested | £58,300 |
| Official WLTP range | 341 miles |
| Our average consumption | 3.3 miles/kWh |
| Mileage | 2,928 |
2nd Report: Electric cars and motorways DO mix
Yes, I am still a Volvo fanboy, and I’m still enjoying my time with the all-electric EC40.
Even when jumping behind the wheel because I’m late for one of the kids’ swimming lessons, or I’m darting out the door at 1am because we need Calpol – yes, 1am – I’m still loving the little lifestyle embellishments the Volvo allows me. I’m becoming a bit of a Volvo snob to be honest, and I actually don’t care.
The last month has been jam-packed with medium-to-long motorway journeys that have put the EC40’s EV credentials to the test. The three weeks of heavy snow was an interesting test, too.
Right off the bat I’ll say that the overall driving experience has been easy, comfortable and enjoyable. While there may be a slight whiff of crossover SUV impracticality at times with the EC40, this merely requires some creative problem solving, rather than snap decisions on whether you need to leave a pram, bag or child behind.
Practicality aside, the EC40 is smooth and quiet off the mark, relaxed at high speeds, and easy to twist around a country road. The reliable heated seats – that stay hot – have been a great addition in the cold weather too. As has the heated steering wheel, which when you crank it all the way up, might literally scald your hands.
I’ve come to really appreciate the intuitiveness of the adaptive cruise control too, which effortlessly slows and accelerates accordingly when a car pulls into your lane on the motorway. The “Ready to drive” notification has come in handy too, nudging you when an idle car in front edges forward.
A solid infotainment system should not be sniffed at – and it’s part of what makes the EC40 so easy to jump in and go.
Technically, you need to plug your Android phone in via a cable to reap the full benefits of the Android Auto system. From my experience, this predominantly affects your Google Maps and how they integrate and allow you to get about. But with Google Maps being built-into the EC40’s infotainment system, I’ve found that a simple Bluetooth connection with my phone gives me all the connectivity I need – calls and music being the big two. In other words, I use my Android phone without the wire just fine.
The EC40’s system also has a YouTube app, which can be enjoyed when killing time in the supermarket car park.
In terms of real-world electric range, my average long-ish motorway journeys over the past month have been about two hours, or 120 miles. From a full charge, I’ve been averaging around 40% battery capacity upon arrival. Some quick maths will tell you that that equates to around 250 miles of range – but of course this can fluctuate based on weather, road conditions and driving habits.
That kind of range isn’t huge, but it’s enough to get me to each pit stop on long drives. Day-to-day, I certainly haven’t felt like I’m plugging in the EC40 every five minutes, or found myself paranoid about range. Even when the battery is sitting at around 25-30% capacity, I still feel in control and well aware of how far I can drive, with the miles-left read out on the dash being pretty spot on.
I’ve been continuing to plan my charging stops mostly via fast food restaurants and coffee stops – with McDonald’s and Starbucks having an impressive network of Instavolt and Ionity chargers respectively. Of course, you can always hit up motorway service stations too, with many up and down the country having an extensive collection of rapid chargers, usually with ample availability.
To be honest, you can probably get away with not planning charging stops with today’s network. If you’re anywhere near a coffee shop, fast food restaurant, hotel or motorway services – which you probably will be – then a charger won’t be far away.
| Model | Volvo EC40 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range |
| P11D price | £58,300 |
| As tested | £58,300 |
| Official WLTP range | 341 miles |
| Our average consumption | TBC |
| Mileage | 2,193 |
1st Report: An electric Volvo for Christmas? Yes please!
It’s such a cliche, but there really is something special about driving a Volvo. The brand exudes opulence, without being ostentatious. It says look at me, without saying look at me. If a Volvo pulls up next to a Mercedes or BMW at the traffic lights, people won’t be comparing horsepower, tech or alloy wheels – because that’s not what you’re buying with a Volvo.
You’re buying brand prestige and exclusivity – because let’s be honest, there’s lots of German car brands, but not many Swedish ones. And that’s why Volvo can get away with putting those tiny Swedish flags on its seats.
That’s not to say Volvos are the last word in luxury or astronomically priced for that matter. In fact, I’d bet that those same German cars you roll up next to at the traffic lights are, like-for-like, pricier than whatever Volvo you’re driving.
Choosing a Volvo over the regular crowd shows people that you’ve made an active decision to not conform. And that’s cool.
I recently wrote about how I feel plug-in hybrids are a little niche in the current new car market. Even brand-new plug-ins feel somewhat antiquated, unless you’re a specific type of buyer, with a very specific daily commute. Driving the Volvo EC40 has made me double down on this.
The driving characteristics of EVs make them naturally lean more towards luxury. They are smooth, quiet, refined and quick. Combine those attributes with the allure of a certain Swedish brand, and there really is no reason why you wouldn’t want to drive a Volvo EV.
And that brings me to my current set of wheels, the Volvo EC40. It’s always interesting getting a car around a busy time of the year, as you spend less time sitting on the driveway and playing around with buttons, and more time jumping in and out of it and throwing it in the deep end. Annoying niggles tend to rear their head very quickly in this arena.
So far, however, the EC40 handled everything the busy Christmas period has demanded of it. Hectic shopping trips, wintery walks, prams, bikes, dogs. Neither of these has been an issue. And the cold December weather has been a moot point too, with electric range unperturbed by its bite.
Aside from impressive cold weather performance, range anxiety isn’t a hurdle for me anymore. Electric cars – and the UK’s charging network – have come an incredibly long way in a short period of time.
In the Single Motor Extended Range EC40 for example, you’re looking at an official WLTP range of 341 miles – which will, realistically, get you around 250-300 miles. That’s enough to get me pretty much anywhere I need to go – and I actually find myself looking forward to my mid-journey, 30-minute coffee stop recharge.
Although I haven’t been driving the EC40 for very long, there has already been a few small things that, from a family perspective, have earned it huge brownie points. Our pram fits in the boot sideways, there’s heated seats in the front and rear, the touchscreen has a large portrait layout, the reversing camera is high quality and the infotainment system has Google Maps built-in.
I am looking forward to plenty of long-distance drives in the EC40 this year.
| Model | Volvo EC40 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range |
| P11D price | £58,300 |
| As tested | £58,300 |
| Official WLTP range | 341 miles |
| Our average consumption | TBC |
| Mileage | 1,024 |
Standard equipment: 9in centre console touchscreen with voice-activated control, Google Automotive Services, wireless mobile phone charging, city safety with steering support, automatic LED headlights with active high beam, rear parking sensors, rear parking camera, heated front seats, cruise control and intelligent speed assistance, two-zone climate control.
