Volvo Concept Recharge showcases new SUV look, sustainable materials
Volvo has given a glimpse of its all-electric future by outlining the focus on sustainability for its future models as showcased in the Concept Recharge.
While the car itself was revealed months ago, Volvo has detailed some of the materials and design details that help reduce the claimed CO2 impact of the car by about 80 percent over its anticipated lifecycle.
While the Concept Recharge is just that – a concept – it does give a good indication of the design direction for future all-electric Volvos, including the replacement for the XC60 and XC90 SUVs, due around 2024 and 2022 respectively.
The size and stance of the Concept Recharge is said to be close to that all-electric XC90 replacement due next year.
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“As we enter the age of the electric car, how far you can drive on a full charge will be a key consideration,” said Owen Ready, Head of Strategic and Brand Design at Volvo Cars.
“While consumers continue to drive demand for the benefits of SUVs, we are determined to produce cars that offer all the safety and comfort they look for, as well as slash their environmental impact.”
He says while one strategy to increase range – Volvo is looking at EV ranges of up to 1000km – is to fit bigger batteries, that can be costly and add a lot of weight. So Volvo is looking at improving efficiency by reducing weight and focusing on aerodynamics.
Like sister brand Polestar, Volvo’s EVs are ramping up the focus on sustainability.
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“We have to increase overall efficiency to increase range. With Concept Recharge we explore the tension between the need for efficiency and the desire for the same space, convenience and driving experience as in today’s SUVs.”
Materials are a major focus for the Concept Recharge in the quest for lowering the environmental impact, starting with the tyres. Developed by Pirelli, the tyres are claimed to have no mineral oils and instead be made of bio-siliva, rayon, bio-resin and (obviously) rubber. No word yet on grip levels or longevity.
The interior of the Concept Recharge is finished in wool and recycled materials have replaced many plastics, again with sustainability the target.
Volvo also developed a new alternative to leather it calls Nordico. It’s made of recycled wine corks, plastic bottles and “bio-attributed material from sustainable forests in Sweden and Finland”.
While the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric that just went on sale has leather seats, it’s the only Volvo EV that will use leather; all others will use alternative materials, including Nordico.
