The Volvo C40 is rated 93.7 MPGe (102 city, 85.3 highway) — that is not petrol economy but the distance it covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy held in one gallon. Drawn from a socket it needs 36 kWh per 100 miles, so 12,000 miles a year costs about $734 at $0.17 a kWh. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $800.
Every Volvo C40 version, compared
The Volvo C40 was rated in a single specification, so its consumption does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $0.17 a kilowatt-hour.
| Version | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Years | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 102 / 85.3 | 2022–2024 | $734 |
What that actually costs
MPGe is an abstraction; the electricity bill is not. At 12,000 miles a year the Volvo C40 draws about 4320 kWh, which at $0.17 comes to the figures below.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use | 36 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.061 |
| Charging per year | $734 |
| Charging over five years | $3,670 |
| Against other Electric cars | +$53 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $800 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Volvo C40 is one of the cars that does better in town than out of it — 102 in the city against 85.3 on the highway. That is $74 a year in favour of the commuter stuck in traffic, and it usually means a hybrid drivetrain recovering energy every time you brake.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 102 MPGe | $673 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 85.3 MPGe | $806 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -16.7 MPGe (-16%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the C40 changed over the years
The C40 peaked in 2024 at 107 MPGe (118 city, 96 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2023 at 87 — 20 MPGe apart, or $146 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2024 car does 107.
| Model year | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Versions offered | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 118 / 96 | 1 | $643 | |
| 2023 | 94 / 80 | 1 | $789 | |
| 2022 | 94 / 80 | 1 | $789 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 3 EPA ratings of the Volvo C40 — 1 engine across 2022–2024. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour, against EPA's own estimate of $800. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Volvo C40 rated at?
93.7 MPGe combined on average — 102 in the city and 85.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2022–2024. MPGe is distance covered on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of petrol — the car itself takes none.
How much does a Volvo C40 cost to charge per year?
About $734 at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour — roughly $3,670 over five years, or 0.061 dollars a mile.
Which C40 version is the most efficient?
The Electric at 93.7 MPGe.
Is the C40 efficient compared with similar cars?
Against other Electric cars it sits below the average of 101 MPGe, computed across 426 ratings.
Are these real-world C40 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Volvo C40 is $800 against the $734 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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