Volvo unveiled the XC40 Recharge P8 AWD exactly one year ago so by now you’d expect the all-electric SUV to be in dealerships.

Well, not yet, as the Swedish automaker has just announced that production of its first EV has begun at the Ghent plant in Belgium. However, for early reservation holders the wait is almost over as the first cars will be delivered to customers in Europe later this month.

Volvo says that customer demand for the XC40 Recharge P8 AWD has been strong and “every car scheduled to be built this calendar year has already been sold.” While order books remain open, customers placing an order now should know they will get their Volvo EV sometime next year.

See Also: Volvo XC40 Gains Entry-Level T4 PHEV, Two Mild-Hybrid Powertrains

“Today is a momentous occasion for Volvo Cars and for all employees here in Ghent,” said Javier Varela, head of global industrial operations and quality. “As we continue to electrify our line-up, the Ghent plant is a real trailblazer for our global manufacturing network.”

The start of customer car production comes after a period of preparation in which the Ghent plant has built a limited number of pre-production vehicles. During the pre-production phase, all relevant production staff received extensive training on safely building electric cars.

The XC40 Recharge P8 AWD is based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) co-developed within the Geely Group and shares the all-electric drivetrain with the 2021 Polestar 2. It packs two electric motors with a combined output of 300 kW (402 HP / 408 PS) that enable the XC40 Recharge to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds (0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds) and hit a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph).

The motors are powered by a 78-kWh lithium-ion battery that can store enough energy for the electric SUV to cover up to 418 km (260 miles) on the WLTP cycle and 208 miles (335 km) on the EPA cycle. Using a fast-charger system, the battery can charge to 80 per cent of its capacity in approximately 40 minutes.

Prices for the Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD start from £59,985 ($77,280) in the UK and €60,437 ($70,960) in Germany, before government incentives. U.S. pricing will be announced soon.

Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month
Volvo’s First Fully-Electric Car, The New XC40 Recharge, Enters Production With First Deliveries Expected This Month