Volvo has rebranded its XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge electric crossovers with new EX40 and EC40 designations.

Alongside the new names, the EX40 and EC40 also gain a new Performance software pack for twin motor variants

The changes bring the carmaker’s original electric cars in line with its upcoming EX30, EX90 and EM90 models that will hit the roads this year. The XC40 name remains for internal combustion-powered variants of the model.

It’s part of a host of upgrades to the brand’s fully electric and hybrid cars intended to aid customer transparency while supporting its ongoing shift to becoming a fully electric car maker by 2030.

The update also sees the Recharge badging dropped from Volvo’s plug-in hybrid models. These now rely on the T6 or T8 suffix to denote their PHEV credentials, while also indicating different levels of power output.

Volvo said the new and streamlined model name standard would make it easier for existing and new customers to understand which models are fully electric and which are hybrids.

“By aligning our trailblazing first electric models with the rest of our electric car portfolio, we simplify choice for consumers as we continue to electrify our line-up and refresh our hybrids,” said Björn Annwall, chief commercial officer and deputy CEO.

Alongside the new names, the EX40 and EC40 also gain a new Performance software pack for twin motor variants. This adds an extra 34hp of power for faster acceleration and unlocks bespoke pedal mapping for quicker accelerator response and a ‘Performance’ drive mode with 436hp of power up for grabs.

This will either be offered as an optional upgrade for new car orders or provided over the air for drivers of previous model-year 2024 C40 and fully electric XC40 Recharge cars.

Volvo is also boosting the XC60 and XC90 B5 mild-hybrid petrol variants with a more efficient engine combustion cycle, expected to result in CO2 emission reductions and fuel economy improvements of up to around 4% for the XC60 and around 2% for the XC90.

The EX40, EC40 and the XC40 will also be available with a Black Edition, following in the footsteps of the XC60 Black Edition launched last year. These come with Onyx Black paint, high-gloss black badging, 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels in high-gloss black, and a choice of microtech or textile charcoal interiors.

First customer deliveries are expected in late Q2 2024.