Volvo Car Malaysia Continues To Offer PHEV As Alternative To Reduce Range Anxiety

Besides selling its locally assembled C40 full electric SUV, Volvo Car Malaysia continues to offer PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) as an alternative. And while the C40 battery electric vehicle has a driving range of about 450 km, Volvo’s PHEVs offer flexibility in terms of propulsion and reduce range anxiety for long distance travel.

Volvo Car Malaysia currently offers the XC60 Recharge and XC90 Recharge SUVs in its range of PHEV options. Using a combination of electric motor and internal combustion engine, a PHEV gives drivers a choice of using both at the same time, or either one, to optimise performance, range and fuel economy. Furthermore, by complementing its fully electric ambitions with a transitional hybrid range, Volvo gives more drivers the opportunity to take their first step towards electrified mobility and at the same time, alleviate the concerns of low-battery levels during their journeys.

When the battery in a PHEV runs low, the vehicle will switch over to the petrol engine to go the rest of the way. The benefit of this hybrid system is that it still allows drivers to enjoy the benefits of pure electric driving, while reducing the need to stop to recharge. With proper planning, a PHEV can vastly improve fuel economy while on electrically-assisted petrol power.

In 2022, Volvo Cars had introduced improved powertrains to its plug-in hybrid range, giving these vehicles a long-range battery (18.8 kWh) and an increased driving range of up to 90 km. In practical use, the extended range means your average daily commute can be fully electric, with petrol propulsion solely as a backup, or saved for longer weekend trips and interstate travel.

If used mainly as an electric vehicle, plug-in hybrids benefit from the availability of a dedicated charging box at home. Similar to plugging in a phone to charge overnight, you can start every day with a fully-charged vehicle. Plug-in hybrids can be charged practically anywhere as you can top up on power via an ordinary 3-pin power outlet away from home. The comparatively smaller battery pack also means it can be fully charged in a shorter time compared to a full EV.

As such, PHEVs offer Malaysians a learning phase as the transition to full electric begins. Ownership of an electric vehicle is a personal move towards sustainable mobility. Volvo Cars too, has set a goal to become a fully electric car company by 2030, though it acknowledges that customers have diverse needs. Going full electric means that a user has to understanding his / her lifestyle, access to charging points, daily commuting habits and regular routes.

In this step towards sustainable mobilty, Volvo’s plug-in hybrids give owners the choice to choose their environmental impact. When driven as a hybrid powertrain with petrol power complemented by electric propulsion, carbon emissions are reduced. But when driven as a pure-electric vehicle, there are no direct emissions produced during the drive.

To learn more about Volvo Car Malaysia’s electrified vehicles, you can visit www.volvocars.com/my/v/cars/plug-in-hybrids

Additionally, between now and 30 September 2023, Volvo Car Malaysia is offering complimentary car insurance for the 1st year and a 5-year Volvo Service Plan (VSP) worth nearly RM20,000, when you purchase a new Volvo hybrid electric vehicle. VSP is a comprehensive car service package that covers your first 5 car services including wear-and-tear items and labour costs, free software updates and vehicle health checks.