Volvo's Hybrid Sales Skyrocket in South Africa
Volvo Car South Africa has seen a substantial increase in plug-in hybrid model sales, reflecting the rising demand for electrified vehicles from this Swedish luxury brand in the local market. During the first three quarters of 2023, sales of Volvo's plug-in hybrids in South Africa surged by over 33% compared to the same period in 2022. This follows the company's success in leading the fully electric premium C-SUV category.
The XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid, the top model in Volvo's local range, played a significant role in this growth, with its registrations increasing by over 55% year-over-year. The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid also gained popularity, witnessing a 19% rise in sales compared to the first nine months of the previous year.
The XC60 and XC90 Recharge models are available in South Africa in four well-equipped variants. They feature a combination of a turbocharged petrol engine and a rear-mounted electric motor powered by an 18.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. Both models deliver 340 kW and 709 Nm of total system output.
The XC60 Recharge offers an 81 km all-electric range, while the XC90 Recharge provides up to 77 km, according to WLTP data. Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, highlights the increased battery capacity as a significant attraction, offering customers the flexibility to use electric power for daily commutes and the petrol engine for longer trips.
Volvo Car South Africa's entire range includes some form of electrification, aligning with Volvo's global goal of half its sales being fully electric cars by 2025 and the other half hybrids. By 2030, Volvo aims to sell only fully electric vehicles, underlining its commitment to a zero-emission future.
Also worth a look: the 315kW of Swedish Grit: The Volvo EX30 Cross Country Revealed and the Volvo EX90: The Future of Safety Lands in SA in 2025.
FAQ
Q: What does the Volvo XC90 Recharge cost in South Africa?
The Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 starts from around R1,399,900 for the Momentum variant, while the fully loaded Inscription Plus will set you back approximately R1,699,900, making it a proper premium family hauler that'll give the Germans a run for their money.
Q: How much does it cost to charge a Volvo XC60 Recharge?
Charging the XC60 Recharge's 18.8 kWh battery from empty will cost you roughly R35 to R50 using Eskom tariffs, depending on your municipality and time of use, which is basically the price of a decent boerewors roll for 81km of silent electric cruising.
Q: Is the Volvo XC60 Recharge worth buying in South Africa?
The XC60 Recharge is absolutely worth buying if you've got R1,149,900 to R1,399,900 burning a hole in your pocket and want a luxury SUV that can run on electric power for most daily commutes while still handling weekend getaways to the Drakensberg without range anxiety.
Q: What is the fuel consumption of Volvo hybrid models?
Volvo's XC60 and XC90 Recharge models achieve a claimed 2.1 to 2.4 litres per 100km when driven sensibly with regular charging, though real world figures sit closer to 6-8 litres per 100km if you're not plugging in regularly, which is still decent for a 340kW luxury SUV.
Q: How long does it take to charge a Volvo Recharge battery?
The 18.8 kWh battery in both XC60 and XC90 Recharge models takes about 3-4 hours to charge from empty using a standard 7kW home wallbox, or around 8-10 hours on a regular household plug, so you can easily top up overnight while dreaming of Swedish meatballs.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, you should definitely consider a Volvo Recharge if you're shopping in the premium SUV space with R1,150,000 to R1,700,000 to spend. The XC60 Recharge T8 Momentum at R1,149,900 is the sweet spot, offering 81km of electric range that'll handle most Johannesburg to Sandton commutes on pure battery power, plus that reassuring petrol engine for longer trips. With 340kW of combined power and Volvo's legendary safety tech, these Swedes are giving the Germans some serious headaches in the luxury hybrid game. The 33% sales increase speaks volumes about South African buyers finally embracing electrification, and with load shedding making petrol-free driving even more appealing, a Recharge model makes perfect sense for affluent families who want to go green without the range anxiety of full electric. Just make sure you budget for a proper home charging setup to maximise those electric kilometres.