Volvo adds EX40, EC40 EVs, retires Recharge badge for plug-ins

The fully electric version of the XC40 SUV will now be called the EX40, while its somewhat lower-roof C40 Recharge counterpart will be called the EC40, Volvo revealed Tuesday as part of a new naming strategy for its EVs and plug-in hybrids. 

Among Volvo EVs, EX calls out electric SUVs, like the upcoming EX30 and EX90, EC will be used for electric coupes (or coupe-like SUVs like the current EC40), and EM designates minivan models. Internationally, Volvo already has one of the latter—its big EM90 luxury electric minivan for China. 

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2025 Volvo EC40 (Europe spec)

Volvo just gave the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge their most significant overhaul since their late-2020 arrival. Most notably, the 2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge switched to rear-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-biased all-wheel drive—making them not only vastly more efficient but quicker and better-driving all around. 

Although the Recharge name wasn’t new to Volvo, it introduced the badge to production models with the introduction of those EVs—and another Concept Recharge pure-EV “manifesto” revealed at the time it made clear it’s going all-electric by 2030. The brand at that time also started applying the badge to its plug-in hybrids, and at the time the rationale was that anything with a charge port would bear the Recharge badging. 

With the update, Volvo has removed the Recharge badging from plug-in hybrid models. They’ll now be either T6 or T8, Volvo says, depending on power output—signifying that as Volvo pushes toward all-EV, plug-in hybrids are essentially the new normal for those who still need to fuel up some of the time.

Volvo ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept

As EVs became more commonplace, the Recharge badging may have been a little difficult to decipher quickly in some sales lots, as it was applied broadly across fully electric and plug-in hybrid models. Volvo hasn’t held back on plug-in hybrid sales volume in some states; two years ago it already reported that 77% of California sales had a charge port. 

Green Car Reports has reached out to Volvo for details on when this change will happen for U.S.-market EVs, and whether it might be applied any differently for plug-in hybrids.