Electric Volvo models, such as the XC40 EV and V40 EV, will provide options for varying battery capacities

Volvo is making a significant leap into the electric vehicle (EV) market with the introduction of their first battery electric vehicle (BEV), the XC40 Recharge P8. The SUV, which is set to go on sale in 2019, will be priced around £35,000.

The XC40 Recharge P8, Volvo's first 'Recharge' model, is almost identical in appearance to its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart. It boasts a 78kWh battery and delivers an impressive 402bhp, offering a range of 250 miles.

Henrik Green, Volvo's Head of R&D, has confirmed that the electric versions of the XC40 and V40 will come with two different battery pack sizes. The largest battery pack option for the XC40, released in 2019, is 78 kWh.

Volvo is also developing a 1.5 litre 3-cylinder petrol plug-in electric hybrid for the 40 Series range. This hybrid is expected to mark the "death knell for the diesel engine," according to Volvo's claims.

The XC40 Recharge P8 is being built in China and will be available for export. It's just the beginning of Volvo's shift towards an electric future, focusing on BEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). By 2019, all Volvo vehicles will have electrical assistance.

Following the XC40 Recharge P8, Volvo has plans to release an electric XC90. The Swedish automaker has also trademarked names P5 through to P10, which are assumed to denote different power and battery pack sizes for their electric models.

It's worth noting that the Volvo XC40, not the XC40 Recharge P8, will be Volvo's first battery electric car, arriving in 2019. The first BEV from Volvo could potentially be an electric XC40, an electric V40, or an electric S40, but specific details are yet to be disclosed.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 is a significant step for Volvo, marking the beginning of their electric journey. As they continue to innovate and develop their EV lineup, it's an exciting time for those looking for sustainable and powerful electric vehicles.