The C40 was Volvo Cars’ first model conceived and launched as a purely electric vehicle, introduced in 2021 as a coupe-style crossover positioned alongside the XC40 Recharge. It carried Volvo’s familiar compact-SUV footprint but adopted a lower roofline and a more distinctive fastback rear end, giving the model a more style-led identity than the boxier XC40. The nameplate was part of Volvo’s early battery-electric rollout and marked an important step in the company’s transition toward a fully electrified lineup.
For the first years of production, the C40 was marketed as C40 Recharge in many markets, reflecting Volvo’s early electric naming strategy. In 2024, Volvo streamlined its electric model names and announced that the fully electric C40 Recharge would be renamed EC40 beginning with the 2025 model year. That means the C40 badge itself covered a single continuous production run from its 2021 introduction through the 2024 model year, after which the nameplate was replaced rather than revived.
Historically, the C40 is notable less for carrying over a long legacy name and more for establishing Volvo’s first dedicated electric model identity. It helped define the brand’s modern EV era by pairing Scandinavian design, a premium compact crossover format, and a coupe-like silhouette aimed at buyers who wanted something more distinctive than a conventional utility vehicle.