Volvo C40 Recharge (EC40) Twin Pure Electric

Overview

The 2022 Volvo C40 Twin Pure Electric was Volvo's stylish, coupe-roofed entry into the dedicated EV scene, essentially a sleeker XC40 Recharge. This all-wheel-drive machine blended Scandinavian cool with punchy electric performance and a strong eco-conscious vibe. As a discontinued model (produced 2021-2022), it's now found on the used market, with examples like this Twin Pure Electric trim listed around $22,780. Its key draws were its distinctive looks, peppy dual-motor setup, and the then-new Google-based infotainment, making it a chic alternative in the premium compact electric SUV space.

What's New for 2022?

Being an entirely new model for the 2022 model year, everything about the C40 Twin Pure Electric was fresh! It burst onto the US scene as Volvo's first EV-only nameplate, showcasing a daring fastback design. Key introductions included its standard dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, a completely leather-free interior option reflecting Volvo's sustainability push, and the cutting-edge Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps built right in. The panoramic glass roof also came standard, adding to its modern, airy feel from the get-go.

Design & Exterior

The 2022 C40 Twin Pure Electric is a real head-turner, rocking a dramatic coupe-SUV silhouette that sets it apart from its boxier XC40 sibling. Measuring 174.8 inches long, 73.7 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 62.8 inches tall, it’s got a sporty stance. Up front, you get Volvo’s signature "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights, while the rear features unique pixel-style taillights that climb up the C-pillars. This Twin Pure Electric trim typically rolls on fetching alloy wheels, and its standard fixed panoramic roof adds a touch of class. It's a design that screams modern luxury.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the C40 Twin Pure Electric boasts a minimalist Scandinavian vibe with high-quality, often sustainable and leather-free materials. Passenger space is good up front for its five seats, with rear headroom a tad cozy due to that stylish roof. Tech-wise, a 9-inch vertical touchscreen powered by Google's Android Automotive OS is standard, alongside a 12.3-inch digital driver display; Apple CarPlay is usually included. For your gear, there's 15 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to 49 cubic feet with seats down, plus a handy 0.7 cubic foot frunk for smaller items.

Performance & Driving Experience

This Swede can scoot! The C40 Twin Pure Electric, with its dual permanent magnet synchronous motors (one front, one rear), delivers a potent 300 kW (that's about 402 horsepower!) and a hefty 487 lb-ft of torque. This all-wheel-drive setup catapults it from 0-60 mph in a brisk 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 112 mph. The driving experience is smooth and refined, with instant power delivery. It offers a comfortable ride and confident handling, plus an effective one-pedal driving mode thanks to its strong regenerative braking system.

Range, Battery & Charging

The C40 Twin Pure Electric packs a 75 kWh usable battery, giving you a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range estimate of around 225 miles – pretty decent for darting about. Energy consumption is rated at 3.0 miles per kWh. For charging, its US-spec CCS Type 1 port supports up to 150 kW on a DC fast charger, juicing you from 10-80% in about 30-35 minutes. At home, the standard 11 kW on-board AC charger will fill it up overnight, taking roughly 8 hours for a full charge from its 400V architecture.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Volvo is synonymous with safety, and the C40 Twin Pure Electric lives up to the rep, bagging a 5-star Euro NCAP rating; its platform mate, the XC40 Recharge, often earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ in the US. Standard kit is generous, usually including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. Volvo’s Pilot Assist system, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering for semi-autonomous driving, was typically available, enhancing driver confidence on longer journeys.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

For the 2022 C40 Twin Pure Electric, Volvo typically offered a 4-year/50,000-mile basic new vehicle warranty in the US. The crucial high-voltage battery was covered for a more reassuring 8 years or 100,000 miles, often guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity. Powertrain coverage usually mirrored the battery warranty. To sweeten the deal, Volvo often included complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first few years or a set mileage (e.g., 3 years/36,000 miles), making early ownership relatively worry-free for this Belgian-built EV.