Volvo Updates the XC40 & EX40 with Longer Range and Updated Aesthetics

This is car news rather than home upgrade news, but it touches on home charging. Volvo has updated its XC40 and electric EX40 models with new looks and bigger batteries. The plug-in hybrid XC40 now gets an estimated 78 miles of electric-only range per charge, up from 35 miles in the previous version, along with a stronger electric motor. That means someone who plugs in regularly at home could cover two or three days of typical driving before needing gas at all.

The fully electric EX40 gets a long-range version with 357 miles of range on a larger battery, plus faster charging speeds. However, Volvo is not bringing the EX40, or the smaller EX30, to the US market right now, a decision tied to the current administration's less supportive stance on EVs. So US buyers won't have access to that fully electric option, though the plug-in hybrid XC40 with its longer electric range should still be sold here.

For homeowners thinking about home charging, the takeaway is that plug-in hybrids like the updated XC40 are increasingly capable of running mostly on electricity for day-to-day driving, as long as you can plug in at home, at work, or even just at a standard outlet. That makes a home charging setup more useful even if you're not ready to go fully electric. The vehicles also come with updated safety sensors and driver-assist features, but those are separate from any home energy considerations.