First Volvo all-electric NZ bound

Volvo is synonymous with safety, and its first fully electric EV the XC40 SUV has some extra safety features.

These are an innovative new battery cage and crumple zone, designed to keep the battery intact and passengers safe during a collision. 

Revealed globally on October 16, with the New Zealand launch timing and pricing to be confirmed, the XC40 is described by Volvo as one of the safest cars on the road.

The battery’s placement in the car floor also lowers the car’s centre of gravity for better protection against roll-overs.

The inclusion of new technology in the fully electric XC40 will ensure it is one of their safest vehicles to date, Volvo NZ general manager Coby Duggan says.

“Next-generation safety systems will be introduced for the first time in this new model as well as an innovative structure to protect the vehicle’s battery and those travelling in the vehicle in the event of a collision,” he says.

Meanwhile, the car’s body structure has also been reinforced at the rear. Here, the electric powertrain has been integrated into the body structure to realise a better distribution of collision forces away from the cabin and reduce the strain on people inside the car.

New technology has been introduced too. It is the first Volvo model equipped with a new advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) sensor platform with software developed by Zenuity, the joint venture company owned by Volvo and Veoneer.

The new ADAS platform is a modern, scalable active safety system comprising an array of radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors. Because of its scalable nature, it can easily be developed further and lays the foundation for the future introduction of autonomous drive technology.