Electric Lititz

I recently had the opportunity to take a new Volvo XC40 Recharge for a spin around Lititz, Pa. I have a soft spot for electric vehicles, so I was looking forward to the all-new electric version of Volvo’s sporty XC40 model. I was not disappointed in the Recharge—fantastic acceleration, user-friendly functionality, and just a great deal of fun! 

The only notable driving difference between this electric vehicle and a combustion engine is the braking. Regenerative braking on an electric vehicle means that you merely have to lift your foot from the accelerator to begin the process of slowing the car. It required a quick adjustment to learn when to lift your foot from the “gas” to bring the car to a stop exactly where you were planning. But it was actually quite satisfying to be able to master it quickly and to come across only a rare occasion when you will need to use the actual brake to decelerate or stop the car. 

Controls on the Recharge are user-friendly and simple for anyone who understands an iPhone. I was able to connect my phone to the car quickly and the connection held (and that’s not always the case!) during my entire time in the vehicle. I spent about two hours “charging” (AKA driving) around Lititz and only used about 12 percent of the battery reserve. Volvo claims a 200+ mile range on a full change; based on the miles I covered, that seems like a reasonable estimate. 

Electric charging stations are popping up across Lancaster County, so if you want to grab a bite to eat and an hour’s charge, you have options. For instance, Whole Foods on Fruitville Pike has chargers, so you can now connect while grocery shopping.

Volvo has pledged that 50 percent of its vehicle sales will be electric by 2025. Based on the new Volvo XC40 Recharge, they are going to get there in style.

See the Recharge at Stadel Motors - stadelmotors.com

By Mark Pontz