Volvo XC40 Recharge hybrid costs, insurance, warranty & tax
As with so many plug-in hybrids, the XC40 Recharge makes the most sense for company-car users
| Insurance group | Warranty | Service interval | 2021/22 company-car tax cost (20%/40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 3yrs / 60,000 miles | 1yr / 18,000 miles | From £970 / £1,939 |
Reduced running costs are a major benefit of plug-in hybrids, but these are most often manifested in lower fuel bills – the XC40 will be a bit more expensive to insure than its purely internal-combustion-engined counterparts and won't cost any less to service at your Volvo dealer. VED (road tax) is marginally cheaper than for an equivalent petrol or diesel XC40.
It's a different story for company-car users, though – with a BiK percentage from 13% for the Recharge in Inscription Expression trim, 20% taxpayers are only liable for £970 per year. That's a big saving over an equivalent diesel in the same trim.
Volvo XC40 Recharge insurance group
One downside of plug-in hybrid ownership can be higher insurance costs, due in part to the technology on board and the associated repair costs should the worst happen. The result in the XC40's case is a group 32 rating for all Recharge T5 models, up from group 18 for the entry-level T2 petrol in Momentum Core trim. Insurance information for the Recharge T4 isn't yet available, but don't expect a big drop compared the T5.
Warranty
All Volvos are covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, while the XC40's lithium-ion battery pack is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. For reference, BMW offers a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty on its X1 plug-in hybrid, but with a shorter (six-year/60,000-mile) battery warranty.
Servicing
Exact service intervals vary depending on use, but the good news is that Volvo offers a number of service plans to help spread the cost over two, three, four, five or six years. Plans can be purchased up to 48 months after your car is registered, and include 12 months' Volvo Assistance cover.
Road tax
Road tax is £145 per year for the Recharge T4, but as the Recharge T5 costs more than £40,000, you have to pay an additional £335 a year in years two to six of ownership, for a total annual bill of £480 during that time.
