Pure-electric Volvo XC40 coming this year

A zero-emissions Volvo XC40 SUV will be on sale globally before the end of this year, the Swedish car-maker has confirmed.

To be introduced as part of Volvo's plan to ensure that half of all its vehicles sold in 2025 are battery-powered, the electric XC40 is set to share a powertrain largely developed for the forthcoming Polestar 2.

That's partly because both the Volvo XC40 and the Polestar 2 fastback are based on the car-maker's Compact Modular Architecture (CMA).

Like the Polestar 2, it's thought the XC40 will package electric motors on each axle to provide all-wheel drive.

The small Volvo SUV is also set to share the Polestar 2's 78kWh lithium-ion battery, stored neatly below the floor. Not only will it act as a structural member, but double as expensive sound deadening that, in the Polestar 2, is claimed to slash road noise entering the cabin by 3.7dB.

The XC40 EV is set to be priced lower than the Polestar 2 ($64,000-$95,000) and therefore won't match the premium coupe-crossover's 300kW and 660Nm total power and torque outputs.

As a result, you can expect a slightly slower 0-100km/h dash -- which stands at less than five seconds in the Polestar 2.

With less powerful electric motors, the electric Volvo XC40 could offer a 500km WLTP-verified range figure.

It's not yet known exactly when Volvo plans to launch its battery-powered XC40, nor whether the zero-emission compact SUV is destined for the Australian market.

The XC40 is currently Volvo's second-best seller globally, trailing only the larger XC60 despite only going on sale in late 2017.

Before the pure-electric version arrives, Volvo will offer two plug-in hybrid XC40 versions: T5 and T4 'Twin Engine' models powered by a small 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor.

Volvo hopes that before the end of the year 25 per cent of all XC40s sold will be plug-in hybrids.