Shirley and Bruce purchased their twin/twin-motor Volvo XC40 Recharge, with 4 wheel drive, as a result of they needed to go inexperienced with out screaming advantage signaling and ostentatious wealth. “We determined to not purchase an electrical Mercedes,” they informed me. The message given by the Volvo is that they’re environmentally acutely aware, in a refined method. They didn’t get a lot cash for buying and selling of their 18-year-old Mazda6 Sport. “In any case, it had accomplished 250,000 km.” Why an SUV? Like all of us, Shirley is discovering it more durable to get into low-slung autos (like my Tesla Mannequin 3).

Shirley and her Volvo XC40 Recharge. Photograph courtesy of Majella Waterworth.

They appreciated the construct high quality of the Volvo and its security credentials. They anticipate to get at the very least 400,000 km of worry-free journey from it. They’ve stored their 23-year-old Toyota RAV4 as a dump car, and Bruce additionally has a Toyota Hilux for his work as a regulator of the explosives business. Shirley is an accountant, and so has a pointy eye for worth.

Dwelling charging makes good financial sense. Photograph courtesy of Majella Waterworth.

Think about spending your working week finding unexploded objects and blowing them up! Bruce additionally investigates fireworks shows for security as a “Senior Inspector of Explosives” for the state authorities. The couple met once they had been constructing and flying mannequin rockets. As he informed me his life story, I believed, “Wow, it is rather like a Boy’s Personal journey.”

They’d simply returned from a visit to Cairns — over 3200 km there and again — and had been impressed with the Volvo’s dealing with and the convenience of charging. Although, there have been the standard amusing vignettes: the physician on the telephone who refused to maneuver her electrical Mercedes though she had completed charging, for instance. Unhappy that Bruce didn’t have some leftovers from work to share along with her. And there was the Tesla driver who couldn’t park and used up two charging areas. Although, at the very least he moved when requested.

Charging etiquette continues to be evolving. Bruce’s most important piece of recommendation: “At all times log into PlugShare, and when you’ve gotten sufficient cost, transfer your car. It may not have to be at 100%.”

Shirley tells me that she is “cranky” with China, so didn’t think about a Tesla. She additionally says: “I didn’t need one thing that appeared like a tic tac. Ever since petrol hit $1 a litre [18 years ago according to government statistics], I’ve been on the lookout for a approach to keep away from the ripoff on the bowser. After the Mazda, the Volvo is such a straightforward drive and a lot enjoyable.”

However the Tesla has video games! Photograph by David Waterworth.

She stumbled throughout the Belgian-made Volvo on Fb, previous to the arrival of the Mannequin Y in Australia. Initially, she had no expectations, however when she drove the automotive, she “shook with love.” After an gratifying take a look at drive, she enquired in regards to the value. She had confused it with the petrol fashions, and when she was informed that it was AU$20,000 greater than she anticipated, she cried: “How do I get Bruce to agree?”

Bruce needed to go greener however confesses he had damaging ideas about an electrical Volvo till he drove it. After about 10 minutes, it was: “The place do I signal?” Shirley tells me that the automotive is sort of a physique builder who dances like a ballerina. She delights in exhibiting off the acceleration when taking off on the lights and has shocked a number of younger rev-heads with the moment response of the EV. She sees the electrical Volvo as a method of future proofing their life and getting away from petrol.

Her grownup sons work in development and had been additionally skeptical of electrical automobiles — that’s, till she allowed them to drive it. Now they’re wanting ahead to electrical utes! Electrical automobiles had been regarded as simply upgraded golf carts. “At Christmas time, they went for a drive and got here again with their jaws on the bottom! The facility was the factor. Bruce was on the drive and couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.” The grandkids had been additionally impressed — although, they most likely had seen numerous YouTube tube movies.

The Volvo has many fascinating options, just like the retractable blind and sunroof, the clever headlights that observe round corners, heated wing mirrors, and computerized display screen darkening. They determined to not go along with the double overhead air conditioned glove bins, for now.

Bruce and I reminisced about our first automobiles, when a radio was an aftermarket choice!

Volvo is aiming to promote solely BEV fashions in Australia by 2026 (4 years forward of the worldwide firm’s plan). Sustainable luxurious is considered one of their mottos. Volvo Automobile Australia’s managing director Stephen Connor has plans in place to promote to the “early adopters.” Australia is averaging about 8% of recent car gross sales being plug ins in 2023. In August, the Volvo XC 40 Recharge made the charts at quantity 4 behind solely the 2 Teslas and the BYD Atto 3.

Australia can anticipate to see two extra totally electrical fashions from Volvo subsequent 12 months, the EX90 massive electrical SUV and the EX30 small crossover. I anticipate that the EX30 at beneath AU$60,000 will promote extraordinarily properly and additional propel Volvo Australia’s place within the rEVolution. I challenge 2% share of the Aussie market inside 2 years. This might be double what was bought in 2022. (In December 2022, Volvo bought extra EVs than ICE.)

Volvo is properly on its approach to changing into the primary of the legacy OEMs to transform from Inner Combustion Engines (ICEs) to small battery electrical autos. As a part of the method, Volvo Australia is putting in electrical automotive chargers in any respect of its dealerships. Free charging might be accessible to Volvo house owners, whether or not the automotive was purchased new or used — as Majella discovered when she visited the Brisbane dealership.

Volvo’s Brisbane eealership. Photograph courtesy Majella Waterworth.

Majella was impressed with the information base of the gross sales folks. This isn’t at all times a typical expertise. The salesperson was even in a position to clarify the variations in vary relying on driving circumstances.

No marvel Shirley and Bruce discovered it straightforward to transition to electrical with their Volvo XC40 buy. “At 63 it’s the primary time I’ve ever cherished a automotive. Each time I hop within the Volvo I fall in love once more. It’s like a secret factor — different folks don’t realise how good electrical automobiles might be,” Shirley enthuses. Majella and I are encouraging Shirley and Bruce to let others in on the key!