When Volvo announced the EX30 in July this year He did this with a very interesting statement: “Small things can have a big impact.” This sentence has a double meaning for the Swedish brand, as it refers to the conception of the car itself, but also to something very specific, namely the commercial impact that the most compact Volvo in its range will have.
As we sat in the auditorium of the equestrian club where the unveiling took place, the clamor of the press was palpable as the paper stopped at the starting price for Brazil of 219,950 reais. According to the Chilean exchange rate, that’s almost 39 million pesos. Then it was Mexico’s turn, with 649,900 Mexican pesos, which is even cheaper at our exchange rate, almost 33 or 34 million pesos. Finally, in an interview with the Volvo Latin America team, they told us the pre-sale price of the base model: $34,990,000. Yes, you read very well.
With this, The Volvo EX30 will be the cheapest premium electric vehicle in Chile and not only that, it will also be the cheapest new Volvo ever, coming in at $39,900,000, even lower than the XC40.
What’s behind Volvo’s aggressive bet?
The Swedish brand has been developing an ecological offensive for its entire range for some time. So much so that today they are celebrating the fact that in several markets there will already be an offer exclusively of recharge models, i.e. plug-in hybrids or electric models. This means they belong to the pioneering group among traditional brands that are migrating to electromobility, not only because of their positioning, but also because of other important developments that go hand in hand with sustainability, such as the question of improving the industrial quality of the company’s logistics, manufacturing processes, Use of materials and more. None of this would be possible without the wallet and help of Geely, which is also instrumental in the production of the EX30, a car with which the brand aims to double its regional sales and become a leading player in the markets of Europe and Latin America and China.
Virtuous circle
The EX30 is a very intelligent car from a product perspective. It represents a “virtuous circle” involving many details that seem small but in the end are very relevant and add value to a coherent proposal. For example, the EX30’s SEA platform was developed together with Geely and will be used in many other cars. The model’s construction is made of many recycled materials (not entirely, but a certain percentage), from the steel (17%) and aluminum (25%) of its structure to the interior, where the brand has worked on four style packs. From denim fibers to recyclable plastics (17%), Volvo wanted to redefine ecological raw materials and secondary use materials with premium design and quality. Forget the old black leather or wood lounges because everything here looks like avant-garde Swedish furniture and the premium is in the construction and style, not luxury.
To continue saving, the car has a minimalist approach, highlighting only what is truly functional. For example, just like the XC40, the speakers were removed from the doors, but Volvo worked with Harman Kardon to mount a “soundbar” like the one you might have on your TV, but mounted under the windshield. This reduces the electrical connections on the doors and creates space for more spacious and practical doors. Perhaps at this point they have gone to the extreme by combining the instrument cluster and the multimedia system (natively served by Google) into a single central control panel, so you have to get used to using voice commands or tapping the screen. All other buttons, such as the commands for the window regulators, were moved to the center console or to the roof.
Because the car has the wheels at the ends and achieves a good wheelbase of 2.65 meters, the remaining space is enormous and allows for features such as a unique modular center console that hides two retractable cup holders in a “drawer” that comes out of the armrest . Below we find two wireless chargers and a compartment that “hides” a false bottom with two USB ports. There is a plastic drawer under the armrest, easily accessible to the rear seats, which can store many other things. The trunk also has a false floor and the seats fold flat. Although we weren’t able to test it (it was a pre-production model), in an unprecedented event, the glove box was moved to the center of the dashboard.
And externally, Katharina Sachs’ design creates a youthful, fresh car with a straightforward stance and simple but modern graphics that is even smaller than a larger one. This means that cars can be built that are more compact on the outside but offer more space on the inside.
The decisive factor for the price: the LFP battery
To achieve the prices that Volvo offers in the region, there is a special ingredient: the battery with LFP technology used in the base model. Batteries of this type are similar to lithium batteries, but replace some of their components with iron phosphate. Because they use less lithium, they are easier to manufacture, cheaper, easier to recycle, have a longer lifespan and are more resistant to high temperatures. The problem is that they do not have much capacity and are therefore larger, in addition to being sensitive to cold (lower autonomy). For the same reason, it was the option for the entry-level Core model, which with a 54 kWh LFP pack can achieve a maximum range of 344 kilometers (or 475 kilometers in full city use), perfect for city use and for a planned trip on the road, which lasts no more than 2 hours.
EX30, a general summary
Regional pre-sales of the EX30 have already begun, but in Chile it will take effect from early 2024. Delivery will begin between March and April, around the time the model launches locally, meaning we will already have units available. Global production of the EX30 begins next year in China, which is why we were only able to see pre-production models.
Currently only two powertrains are offered, differing only by their battery, such as the already mentioned LFP or a long-range NMC (480 kilometers in mixed cycle) and 69 kWh. Both are powered by an electric motor with 272 hp and 343 Nm of torque. The sportier version with all-wheel drive and two engines is coming later and promises to be the fastest Volvo ever thanks to 428 hp, with acceleration from 0 to 100 in 3.6 seconds.
There are three trim levels called Core, Plus and Ultra, as well as four interior color themes: Breeze, Fog, Pine and Indigo. The base model already offers connected Google systems, wireless Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise control and support for the Volvo app and digital key. The Plus model is equipped with level 2 semi-autonomous driving, the premium audio system and dual climate control as well as the electrically opening trunk. The Ultra model is the one that offers everything from a panoramic roof to electric seats to parking assistant and 360-degree cameras. Aesthetically they are distinguished by the colored roof and the size of the wheels from 18 to 20 inches with an aerodynamic design.
