Electrifying Canada’s Drive to Zero Emissions
With sales of electric vehicles on the rise, a car manufacturer looks to make range anxiety a thing of the past
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
TWO YEARS AGO, when Canada’s federal government made the pledge to ban sales of new combustion-engine cars and trucks by 2035, many wondered if such a lofty goal could be achieved. The announcement was backed by a series of funding incentives designed to shock drivers, automakers, and alternative fuel companies into action—with several billion dollars pledged since the initial announcement.
With a penchant for automotive innovation, Volvo Cars was one of the first premium car manufacturers to announce their ambitious plans for full electrification, and long before the government mandates, planning to sell only fully electric vehicles by 2030.
Today, Canada’s electric vehicle revolution is ramping up fast, with data showing a healthy new e-mobility ecosystem of drivers, car manufacturers and charging services companies that all rely on one another to thrive. From April through June, registrations of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) were up 46 per cent over the same period in 2022; manufacturers continue to introduce new ZEVs, with more than 50 models now available in Canada; and installations of new electric vehicle charging stations are on pace to grow by more than 30 per cent for the second year in a row.
“We found that there’s been much more intrigue in the electric market than ever before,” says Matt Girgis, managing director of Volvo Car Canada. “Rising gas prices, a shift in work routines and new family priorities forced a lot of Canadians to rethink how they prioritize mobility.”
“For a while the growth of the electric vehicle market was constrained by supply chain issues and manufacturers needing to update their factories and processes,” says Nino DiCara, founder of Electric Autonomy Canada, a media company that reports on and shares knowledge about Canada’s transition to electric vehicles. “But now there is a massive increase in EV adoption as vehicles become widely available, and charging has to keep pace.”
Range anxiety and a perceived lack of fast-charging options have traditionally been viewed as barriers to the broader adoption of EVs. The fact that electric vehicle charging stations aren’t as prevalent as gas stations causes consternation for those thinking of making the switch to electric. Instead, zero-emission vehicles use a combination of charging at home, en route and at the destination to stay topped up.
A roadmap for change
Carmakers have played a central role in Canada’s electric revolution, engaging with drivers and re-engineering their products to feed growing demand.
Last year, Volvo Car Canada polled Canadians on the future of transportation. Seventy-three per cent of respondents said it was important that their next vehicle purchase contributed to a more sustainable future. The resulting Mobility Trend Report came out the same day the company announced that its entire 2023 model-year lineup and beyond would have electrified versions: mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric vehicles.
But, Girgis says, drivers need to see more improvements in order to make the transition to an EV. “One of the greatest barriers to consumer EV adoption remains range anxiety—the concern that an EV will run out of energy before reaching a destination.”
Volvo Cars’ collaboration with one of the largest EV charging networks serves as a good example of Volvo Cars’ efforts to allay these concerns. For one, ChargePoint provides more than 115,000 charging points across North America, and new Volvo owners also have the option to purchase a ChargePoint Home Flex charger when they buy their car.
“Range anxiety is a thing that only non-EV drivers have because when you charge at home, you don’t rely on public charging,” says DiCara, who also points out that 65 per cent of Canadians have off-street parking at home. “A 400-kilometre EV range is pretty standard, and it’s more than enough for anyone getting around in one city.”
Featuring new powertrain options, bigger battery packs, and improved charging times, the fully electric Volvo C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge models have been updated for model year 2024 and can achieve up to 478 and 472 kms of range, respectively. Charging power has also improved on these vehicles, allowing for charging at a top rate of 200 kW DC, meaning it takes approximately 28 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent*.
“These updates are another big step in our work toward becoming a fully-electric car company by 2030,” says Girgis. “Range and charging times are new key factors for more and more of our customers, and these improvements make our fully electric models even more attractive than they already were.”
Charging toward the future
Volvo Cars also recently announced that it will adopt the North American Charging Standard port on all its vehicles, starting in 2025. That means Volvo drivers will have access to the largest fast-charging network in Canada, which continues to grow its 2,050 stations and 22,000 plugs across North America. Drivers of Volvo Cars’ current lineup of fully electric cars, from the C40 and XC40 Recharge to the recently unveiled EX30 and EX90, will be able to find charging locations through the Volvo Cars app.
There are other promising signs in public charging infrastructure growth: from federal funding (more than $36 million to fund 150 fast chargers and 2,500 new Level 2 chargers across Canada, and another $29 million to fund 1,150 Level 2 chargers and 480 fast chargers in Quebec), to the creation of a charging corridor between Canada and the U.S., to large-scale investments in Canada’s battery and EV supply chains.
“Regardless of your lifestyle, driving habits, or access to charging, Canadian customers can now find an electrified Volvo to fit their daily routines and preferences,” says Girgis. “The market is definitely listening to the consumer demand, and that’s why you’ll see more electric vehicles being brought to market and sold.”
*Volvo C40 Recharge Single Motor, 185kW (248 hp), combined power consumption 16.3 kWh/100 km, electric range: combined up to 478 km, values according to the EPA test cycle. Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor, 185kW (248 hp), combined power consumption 16.6 kWh/100 km, electric range: combined up to 472 km, values according to the EPA test cycle. The actual range, the actual energy consumption and the charging times depend on various factors, such as the outside temperature, the current battery temperature, the charging device and other external factors as well as the condition of the batteries and vehicle. Vehicle certification pending.
Driving toward a more
sustainable future
With a commitment to achieving full electrification by 2030, Volvo Cars showcases its dedication through models like the C40 Recharge, XC40 Recharge, and the recently unveiled Volvo EX90 and EX30 SUVs. These vehicles combine striking aesthetics with a strong environmental ethos, boasting cutting-edge safety features and contemporary technology. They come equipped with Google integration**, advanced air purification systems and 360-degree parking cameras, embodying a fusion of materials and technology steering us toward a refined automotive future.
**Google, Google Play and Google Maps are trademarks of Google LLC.
Electrifying Canada’s Drive to Zero Emissions
With sales of electric vehicles on the rise, a car manufacturer looks to make range anxiety a thing of the past
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
TWO YEARS AGO, when Canada’s federal government made the pledge to ban sales of new combustion-engine cars and trucks by 2035, many wondered if such a lofty goal could be achieved. The announcement was backed by a series of funding incentives designed to shock drivers, automakers, and alternative fuel companies into action—with several billion dollars pledged since the initial announcement.
With a penchant for automotive innovation, Volvo Cars was one of the first premium car manufacturers to announce their ambitious plans for full electrification, and long before the government mandates, planning to sell only fully electric vehicles by 2030.
Today, Canada’s electric vehicle revolution is ramping up fast, with data showing a healthy new e-mobility ecosystem of drivers, car manufacturers and charging services companies that all rely on one another to thrive. From April through June, registrations of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) were up 46 per cent over the same period in 2022; manufacturers continue to introduce new ZEVs, with more than 50 models now available in Canada; and installations of new electric vehicle charging stations are on pace to grow by more than 30 per cent for the second year in a row.
“We found that there’s been much more intrigue in the electric market than ever before,” says Matt Girgis, managing director of Volvo Car Canada. “Rising gas prices, a shift in work routines and new family priorities forced a lot of Canadians to rethink how they prioritize mobility.”
“For a while the growth of the electric vehicle market was constrained by supply chain issues and manufacturers needing to update their factories and processes,” says Nino DiCara, founder of Electric Autonomy Canada, a media company that reports on and shares knowledge about Canada’s transition to electric vehicles. “But now there is a massive increase in EV adoption as vehicles become widely available, and charging has to keep pace.”
Range anxiety and a perceived lack of fast-charging options have traditionally been viewed as barriers to the broader adoption of EVs. The fact that electric vehicle charging stations aren’t as prevalent as gas stations causes consternation for those thinking of making the switch to electric. Instead, zero-emission vehicles use a combination of charging at home, en route and at the destination to stay topped up.
A roadmap for change
Carmakers have played a central role in Canada’s electric revolution, engaging with drivers and re-engineering their products to feed growing demand.
Last year, Volvo Car Canada polled Canadians on the future of transportation. Seventy-three per cent of respondents said it was important that their next vehicle purchase contributed to a more sustainable future. The resulting Mobility Trend Report came out the same day the company announced that its entire 2023 model-year lineup and beyond would have electrified versions: mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric vehicles.
But, Girgis says, drivers need to see more improvements in order to make the transition to an EV. “One of the greatest barriers to consumer EV adoption remains range anxiety—the concern that an EV will run out of energy before reaching a destination.”
Volvo Cars’ collaboration with one of the largest EV charging networks serves as a good example of Volvo Cars’ efforts to allay these concerns. For one, ChargePoint provides more than 115,000 charging points across North America, and new Volvo owners also have the option to purchase a ChargePoint Home Flex charger when they buy their car.
“Range anxiety is a thing that only non-EV drivers have because when you charge at home, you don’t rely on public charging,” says DiCara, who also points out that 65 per cent of Canadians have off-street parking at home. “A 400-kilometre EV range is pretty standard, and it’s more than enough for anyone getting around in one city.”
Featuring new powertrain options, bigger battery packs, and improved charging times, the fully electric Volvo C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge models have been updated for model year 2024 and can achieve up to 478 and 472 kms of range, respectively. Charging power has also improved on these vehicles, allowing for charging at a top rate of 200 kW DC, meaning it takes approximately 28 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent*.
“These updates are another big step in our work toward becoming a fully-electric car company by 2030,” says Girgis. “Range and charging times are new key factors for more and more of our customers, and these improvements make our fully electric models even more attractive than they already were.”
Charging toward the future
Volvo Cars also recently announced that it will adopt the North American Charging Standard port on all its vehicles, starting in 2025. That means Volvo drivers will have access to the largest fast-charging network in Canada, which continues to grow its 2,050 stations and 22,000 plugs across North America. Drivers of Volvo Cars’ current lineup of fully electric cars, from the C40 and XC40 Recharge to the recently unveiled EX30 and EX90, will be able to find charging locations through the Volvo Cars app.
There are other promising signs in public charging infrastructure growth: from federal funding (more than $36 million to fund 150 fast chargers and 2,500 new Level 2 chargers across Canada, and another $29 million to fund 1,150 Level 2 chargers and 480 fast chargers in Quebec), to the creation of a charging corridor between Canada and the U.S., to large-scale investments in Canada’s battery and EV supply chains.
“Regardless of your lifestyle, driving habits, or access to charging, Canadian customers can now find an electrified Volvo to fit their daily routines and preferences,” says Girgis. “The market is definitely listening to the consumer demand, and that’s why you’ll see more electric vehicles being brought to market and sold.”
*Volvo C40 Recharge Single Motor, 185kW (248 hp), combined power consumption 16.3 kWh/100 km, electric range: combined up to 478 km, values according to the EPA test cycle. Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor, 185kW (248 hp), combined power consumption 16.6 kWh/100 km, electric range: combined up to 472 km, values according to the EPA test cycle. The actual range, the actual energy consumption and the charging times depend on various factors, such as the outside temperature, the current battery temperature, the charging device and other external factors as well as the condition of the batteries and vehicle. Vehicle certification pending.
Driving toward a more sustainable future
With a commitment to achieving full electrification by 2030, Volvo Cars showcases its dedication through models like the C40 Recharge, XC40 Recharge, and the recently unveiled Volvo EX90 and EX30 SUVs. These vehicles combine striking aesthetics with a strong environmental ethos, boasting cutting-edge safety features and contemporary technology. They come equipped with Google integration**, advanced air purification systems and 360-degree parking cameras, embodying a fusion of materials and technology steering us toward a refined automotive future.
**Google, Google Play and Google Maps are trademarks of Google LLC.