Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric scores five-star ANCAP rating

The newest addition to Volvo’s XC40 SUV line-up has earned itself a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric variant has joined its plug-in hybrid and petrol/diesel siblings in gaining top marks in local testing. Though the rating is based on the original model’s 2018 result, ANCAP says newer versions have been put through their paces here since to ensure they meet the same standards.

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“To ensure safety is not compromised for consumers wanting to buy an alternative-powered vehicle, for battery and hybrid electric vehicles we conduct additional checks to make sure they don’t pose unique risks such as battery rupture or electrical hazards to the occupants or first responders,” ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said.

“This gives consumers peace-of-mind and assists fleet buyers in meeting their safety and environmental targets.”

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In the adult occupant protection category, the EV scored 97 per cent overall (equivalent to 37.19 out of 38 points on offer) with best marks in this test going to its city autonomous emergency braking (AEB) which was given 4/4 and oblique pole and side impact protection both gaining 8/8.

For child occupant protection it achieved slightly less stellar results, with 84 per cent (41.62 out of a possible 49). While the front and dynamic tests were both awarded top marks (16/16 and 8/8 respectively) the on-board safety features let it down in this category only earning six out of the 13 on the table.

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In the vulnerable road user protection tests, the electric variant (as was the case with its hybrid and fossil-fuelled siblings) was given a lower 71 per cent score overall (equalling 34.49 out of a possible 48). Its best result in this category was for lower leg impacts which gained 6/6 marks, while less impressive was the upper leg impacts ranking 3.14/6.

And finally in the safety assist section the electric XC40 ranked at 78 per cent (nabbing 10.23 out of 13), with its speed assistance systems, seatbelt reminders and lane support systems all notching up 2.5 marks out of five, while its interurban AEB gained 2.73 out of three points.

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Supply of the first ever fully-electric Volvo sold out when it went on sale locally in August, with the Australian arm already making requests to Sweden for further allocation.

Priced from $76,990 before on-road costs, the Recharge Pure Electric is the most expensive model in the XC40 compact SUV range. It carries a $12,000 premium over the Recharge plug-in hybrid model.

The all-wheel-drive Pure Electric features an electric motor on each axle and a 78kWh battery pack, with total outputs quoted at 300kW and 660Nm.