Volvo claims the EX30, its new compact electric SUV, its greenest vehicle ever. It comes in two different versions and has an attractive starting MSRP.
Volvo has just revealed its smallest and, it says, its most efficient SUV yet. The all-new EX30 combines all of the safety and style you would expect from a Volvo while being designed to have the smallest CO2 footprint of any Volvo to date. Available now for pre-order in the U.S., the compact electric model has a starting MSRP of just $34,950, which should help it capture a lot of new customers for the Volvo brand.
The EX30 givers potential buyers a choice of different electric powertrains to suit their specific needs. For drivers who see maximum range as a priority, the single-motor version features a 69-kWh lithium-nickel-manganese cobalt battery and provides a range of up to 275 miles between charges, according to Volvo’s estimates (EPA range estimates have yet to be published). Power output is 268 hp, and the 0-60 mph time is 5.1 seconds.
If you need more performance, or want off-road traction or bad-weather capability, there is a twin-motor Performance variant. Not only does this EX30 model provide standard all-wheel drive, but it can also accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds – making it the fastest Volvo ever. It can also rapid-charge on a Level 3 charger at up to 153 kW, allowing it to charge from 10 to 80 percent in just under 27 minutes. Convenient controls inside the car or using a mobile phone app let you set the maximum charging level, or schedule charging at home to take advantage of the best electricity rates.
The EX30’s power and compact size should make it a lot of fun to drive both in the city and on the open road. Volvo says that it has tuned the chassis to make the most of the electric SUV’s compact dimensions and low center of gravity. It also includes the latest generation of Volvo’s popular parking assistant, which can help you maneuver into all kinds of parking spaces including parallel, curved, perpendicular, and fishbone-style spots. The system identifies available parking spaces, and then operates the throttle, brakes, and steering while you supervise the process.
Of course, all of the safety and security you’d expect from Volvo is present, here in a smaller format. The EX30 has a long wheelbase, large wheels, and tight overhangs for great proportions, and it has a distinctly electric look, with a closed “shield” grille at the front, and digital-look headlights.
Inside, the EX30 incorporates cutting-edge tech with Scandinavian design. The interior is comfortable, relaxing, and very simple, with most controls consolidated on a single touchscreen and a very uncluttered look. There are four distinctive interior themes to choose from, and a number of practical storage spaces throughout the cabin. There is also a choice of five different ambient lighting themes, each inspired by a different Scandinavian landscape.
Volvo’s latest infotainment system has also taken a step forward. Working with Google, Apple, and Qualcomm, the company claims it’s built the most seamless infotainment platform for all drivers. Google functionality is built in and can be operated by voice; there’s also a sophisticated smartphone app with digital key functionality that lets you provide access to your car to others using the app. You can also control charging using the Volvo app, pre-heat or pre-cool it, and find your car in a busy parking lot. Over-the-air software updates should mean you rarely need to visit a dealer.
Volvo says this vehicle is designed to have the lowest carbon footprint of any of its vehicles to date – and an important step ahead for the company’s sustainability plans. We’re excited to see this new EV SUV in person when it starts arriving in early 2024.
Senior Editor and GreenCars Contributor
Laurance Yap worked for a decade as an automotive journalist before joining Porsche, where he ran PR and marketing in Canada. He led global marketing for RM Sotheby’s, and is a senior manager at GreenCars and a regular contributor to the site.
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