In the EV space, there are very few electric SUVs that you can purchase for under R1 million if any. Volvo has become the minority with its latest EX30 SUV which shows a lot of promise in this niche space. We attended the global reveal of the EX30 SUV hosted locally by Volvo South Africa and our MD, Michael Pashut joined us. He isn't one to be spotted at a vehicle launch, however, there are exceptions, and exceptions were made being the Volvo fanatic that he is.
The Volvo EX30 is the smallest SUV in Volvo's catalogue of SUVs, making it apt for the urban setting with its fully electric setup. There's a strong global drive towards electric vehicles, and Volvo is one of the brands at the fore of this movement. Their goal is to have the entire Volvo range consisting of fully electric vehicles by 2030, and the new EX30 is a significant step in that direction with its attractive price.
With its futuristic and charming design, the Volvo EX30 SUV stays true to the brand's heritage of producing some of the world's safest cars. One of the safety features on board the EX30 is its ability to alert you of a passing cyclist or pedestrian, or motorcyclist before you open your door to exit the vehicle. Volvo hasn't shared the full list of the EX30's safety features, but more will be revealed closer to its local release date. Other interesting features include a digital key, meaning you'll no longer need to carry a physical key, so long as you have your mobile device with you you’ll have to the vehicle and all of its functions. Google services are available through the 12.3-inch media screen and you'll have over-the-air (OTA) software upgrades on the vehicle through its 5G capable connection.
For those that are unfamiliar with this new method of vehicle maintenance, having no mechanical parts besides its wheels, an electric vehicle like the Volvo EX30 is serviced through a remote OTA software upgrade. The Volvo EX30 will be the first vehicle to offer a sound bar which spans the width of the dashboard. Being a full Harmon Kardon audio system with a sound bar and subwoofer, the EX30 should offer a high standard of in-car audio quality.
Volvo EX30 range
Interestingly, the EX30 will be offered in a range of single and twin-motor variants with varying battery sizes. The logic here is that you don't have to pay for more if you don't need more. In the entry-grade EX30 Core Single Motor, you get a 51 kWh battery with a range of 344km, capable of doing the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds. This should be sufficient for someone looking to use the vehicle as a daily commuter around town. In this setup, it's unlikely that you'll do over 300km in a single day.
Should you be happy with the performance but need more range, you can look into the EX30 Plus with its single motor and a larger 69 kWh battery, which will give you a range of 480km. This will run from zero to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds, which is still very brisk by modern car standards. For those seeking the best of both worlds, the twin motor variants combined with the 69 kWh battery should do the trick. These two variants will give you a range of 460km and do the 0-100mk/h run in a lightening quick 3.6 seconds!
Volvo EX30 Price
With a starting price of R775 900 for a fully electric SUV from a premium brand, the EX30 is an undeniably impressive offering from Volvo and a fantastic value proposition.
EX30 Core Single Motor - (R775,900.00)
EX30 Plus Single Motor ER - (R865,900.00)
EX30 Plus Twin Motor Performance - (R935,900.00)
EX30 Ultra Single Motor ER - (R965,900.00)
EX30 Ultra Twin Motor Performance - (R995,900.00)
Gugu Masuku - CHANGECARS
