Meet Conor Buckley

As a creator, entrepreneur, and the face behind Human Collective Clothing, Conor Buckley is no stranger to thoughtful design and purposeful living. Now, he’s bringing that same mindset to the road. Recently, Conor has been driving the fully electric Volvo EX40—an experience that blends sustainability, innovation and Scandinavian simplicity in a way that aligns perfectly with his own values. We asked Conor for his thoughts on making the switch to electric, what he loves most about the EX40, and how he imagines the worlds of Human Collective and Volvo coming together through design.

Making the switch to electric

We started the Q&A with asking Conor how he honestly found moving from Petrol/diesel to fully electric.

First Impressions of fully electric?

I did have a bit of range anxiety at the beginning, but once I started using it for longer trips including a couple of drives down to Cork and around Ireland I realised how easy the charging actually is. Usually by the time you’ve stopped, had coffee, and taken a short break, the car is ready to go again. Overall, the experience has been far better and more convenient than I expected.

Conor's driving experience

How do you find driving an electric car now?

I enjoy it much more than I thought I would. The drive is incredibly smooth and quiet, which makes a big difference day to day. I also love the convenience of not having to stop at petrol stations — you can simply charge the car overnight at home. Another feature I really appreciate is the Volvo app. It allows you to pre-heat the car before you get in, so on colder mornings the steering wheel and seats are already warm. It’s a small thing, but it makes the whole experience feel really comfortable and well thought out.

Thinking of going electric?

I’d say once you go electric, you’ll never go back. The convenience of being able to charge the car overnight at home and not having to stop at petrol stations is a huge change. My Volvo is cheaper to run than my previous petrol or diesel vehicles. Electricity costs less than fuel per kilometre, and EVs have fewer moving parts, meaning lower servicing and maintenance costs (no oil changes, fewer mechanical issues).It has advanced technology that integrates with your phone and remote climate control.

My wife and I actually end up competing over who gets to drive it — it’s genuinely the most enjoyable driving experience we’ve had.

Conor's Favourites

What is your favourite part of the Volvo EX40?

At the moment, my favourite feature is the panoramic sunroof. It really opens up the cabin and brings in so much natural light, which makes the car feel even more spacious. On brighter days it completely changes the atmosphere inside the car and makes driving even more enjoyable.

I also love the safety features. The EX40 has a really impressive set of parking safety features that make manoeuvring in tight spaces much easier and safer. One of the key ones is the 360-degree parking camera , which uses multiple cameras around the car to give you a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings on the centre screen. It means you can clearly see obstacles, kerbs, or other cars when parking. It also has parking sensors around the vehicle that detect objects nearby. As you get closer to something, the system gives both visual warnings on the screen and audible alerts. Another really useful feature is Cross Traffic Alert. When you’re reversing out of a parking space, the car can detect vehicles approaching from either side and warn you — and in some cases even apply the brakes automatically if there’s a risk of collision. Explore Features in the Volvo EX40

Music on the move

What is your go-to playlist when you're driving?

It depends on who’s in the car. If I have the kids with me, it’s usually the K-Pop Demon Hunters playlist on repeat!! But if I’m on my own, I’ll put on a bit of Fred again. — I love his music. I’m also a bit of a geek because I’ll often switch over to RTÉ lyric fm as well. But honestly, everything sounds great in that car — the sound quality is fantastic.

Human Collective x Volvo

If the EX40 was a piece from your Human Collective Collection what would it be?
It would have to be something that combines luxury, functionality and minimalist design. So I’d probably say our Arctic Sherpa. It’s one of our bestsellers because it’s incredibly comfortable, practical, and beautifully simple in its design and it delivers on warmth and quality. In many ways, those are the same qualities I associate with the EX40.

If you designed a Human Collective x Volvo Item what would it be?
That’s a great question. I think it would need to reflect that Scandinavian sense of design — very clean, functional and understated. I’d probably design a luxury backpack: something lightweight, highly functional, and minimalist in style. It would of course be made from the highest-quality sustainable fibres, but it would also have really thoughtful details for everyday use. In a nutshell, the same balance of design, comfort and practicality that Volvo brings to its cars.