2025 Volvo EC40 Ultra: New Name, Bigger Battery, Sub-$80K Price for Australia

Volvo’s electric SUV lineup continues to evolve, with a newly listed model – the 2025 Volvo EC40 Ultra – surfacing on Redbook, revealing new specifications, pricing, and a possible shift in naming strategy. The EC40 appears to be the renamed version of the C40 Recharge, aligning with the EX40, which replaced the XC40 Recharge, as Volvo transitions to a consistent 'EX'/'EC' naming structure for its electric models.

Listed at $76,990 before on-road costs, the EC40 Ultra mirrors the entry price of the EX40 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range. The two vehicles share nearly identical drivetrains, batteries, and feature sets, with the EC40 taking on a coupe-styled body in contrast to the EX40’s more traditional SUV silhouette.

Underpinning the EC40 is a rear-mounted 185kW/420Nm electric motor, powered by a new 82kWh lithium-ion battery, good for a claimed 540km range (NEDC). In WLTP terms – which Volvo Australia typically quotes – that figure is likely around 520km, matching the EX40 Ultra. The car’s 0–100km/h time is listed at 7.3 seconds, with a top speed of 180km/h.

Like the EX40, the EC40 Ultra features rear-wheel drive only, as Volvo continues moving away from front-wheel drive electric configurations. Fast-charging is supported, taking 33 minutes for a 10–80 percent top-up, and it also retains regenerative braking and mains charging compatibility.

Dimensions are consistent with the outgoing C40 Recharge: 4440mm long, 1938mm wide, and 1596mm tall, with a 2057kg tare mass and 489 litres of boot space, expanding to 1205 litres. The EC40 Ultra also maintains a 1,500kg braked towing capacity, the same as the EX40.

Interior features are expected to be nearly identical to the EX40 Ultra, which includes:

• 9.0-inch infotainment system with Google services
• 12-inch digital driver display
• Harman Kardon 14-speaker sound system
• 360-degree camera
• Panoramic glass roof
• Heated front and rear seats
• Power tailgate and adaptive safety tech suite

The EC40 will be offered in a range of metallic and solid colours, including Sand Dune, Cloud Blue, and Fjord Blue, all at no additional cost.

Manufactured in China and due for an official launch in October 2024, the EC40 is slated to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2025, alongside the EX40 range. Volvo’s shift in naming also reflects a wider EV strategy, with models like the EX90, EX30, and EM90 forming a full lineup under the new branding structure.