Volvo EX30 exterior

Volvo EX30 Electric SUV Poised To Give Tesla Model Y A Run For Its Money

June 7, 202311 months ago Chris Boylan 0 Comments

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Earlier today, Volvo announced an all-new compact electric SUV which the company says it will begin manufacturing in China as early as this year. The Volvo EX30 will offer a range of up to 275 miles, a 0-60 time of just under 3.4 seconds in its sportiest “Twin Motor Performance” trim and a starting price of under $35,000 (36,000 euros). Customers in the United States can pre-order the EX30 now with a refundable deposit of $500 and will be invited to configure their cars this fall with deliveries expected to begin in the Summer of 2024.

While the EX30 is significantly more compact than the Tesla Model Y, it is also much more affordable. Tesla’s prices have been a bit of a moving target lately, but the starting price of the Model Y as of June 2023 is currently around $48,000 compared to the EX30’s starting price of $35,000. Of course, this is a bit of an apples-to-oranges (or apples to grapefruits) comparison as the Model Y is a much larger car with more power, and more than twice the cabin and storage space for passengers and gear (76 cubic feet of storage capacity on the Model Y vs. the EX30’s 31.9 cubic feet).

The Tesla also offers more advanced driver assistance technology and a much more extensive high speed charging network. At present, none of Volvo’s EVs or plug-in hybrids qualify for all or even part of the tax credit for EV buyers in the United States while all versions of Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y cars qualify for the full $7,500 incentive for eligible buyers. This brings the cost of the larger, more powerful, longer range Model Y closer to the Volvo for most American buyers. But car buyers like choices, and the Volvo EX30 should provide a lot for compact car buyers to love.

The Path to Pure Electric

Volvo plans to be all-electric by 2030 and the EX30, which the company describes as a “small premium SUV,” should help it to get there. The starting price in the United States of $34,950 makes it much cheaper than the company’s most affordable current EV, the XC40 Recharge ($55,300). It’s actually even less expensive than Volvo’s most affordable gas-powered variation of the XC40 ($37,445). The company says that the EX30 is capable of 153 kW fast charging and can charge fully from 10-80% in a little under 26.5 minutes.

The Volvo EX30 features Google built-in, with access to the Play Store for a wide selection of apps. — The Volvo EX30 features Google built-in, with access to Google Maps and the Google Play Store for a wide selection of apps.

The EX30 will be offered with two battery options in select markets: a 51 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) pack with estimated range of about 200-210 miles and a 69 kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese (NMC) option with up to 275 miles of range. For the United States market, the company will offer only the larger battery pack. That larger battery version will be available with two motor options. The Single Motor Extended Range EX30 ($34,950) offers rear-wheel drive with 268 horsepower, 253 lb-ft of torque, a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds and an estimated range of 275 miles. Meanwhile, the beefier EX30 Twin Motor Performance version (Price TBD) includes dual motor all-wheel-drive, 422 hp, 400 lb-ft, and a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds with an estimated range of 265 miles. This acceleration puts it right up there with the Model 3 and Model Y Performance versions.

Thor's Hammer Headlights on the Volvo EX30. — In a nod to its Swedish heritage, the Volvo EX30 features Thor’s Hammer headlights.

Volvo says it will offer a more rugged “Cross Country” variant of the EX30 with increased ground clearance, 19-inch wheels (with the option for 18-inch wheels) and front, rear and side skid plates. Pricing/availability details of the Cross Country version are not yet available.

Taking a page from Tesla’s playbook, the EX30’s minimalist interior is centered around a large 12.3″ touchscreen which puts essential driver information front and center and enables touch control of common features and settings. Unlike the Model 3 and Y, the EX30’s screen is oriented vertically (portrait mode).