Volvo begins rollout of EX30, its smallest electric offering, to Australian car dealers

After gathering some 500 plus deposits within the first few weeks of the order books opening mid last year, the much anticipated Volvo EX30 small SUV has finally begun arriving in dealer showrooms.

Slotting in under Volvo’s C40 and XC40 Recharge duo, it is currently its smallest vehicle offering and Volvo’s third full electric BEV to go on sale in Australia.

Like the C40, the EX30 is offered in EV-only form. Unlike the C40/XC40 duo though, the EX30 is built on the Geely EV-only SEA platform, meaning there can never be a petrol equivalent.

The EX30 is to be followed later this year by the large EX90 SUV, which will be Volvo’s next step on its way to being an electric-only brand in Australia from 2026.

Volvo are also keen to promote the EX30 as the model with the smallest lifetime carbon footprint of any Volvo model to date. With a total carbon footprint of 23 tonnes per 200,000 km, it is approximately 60 per cent less than a petrol XC40.

Sporting a minimalist interior styling with no driver’s display and few physical buttons, the single motor and dual motor versions appear to be designed as a competitor for the attentions of potential Tesla Model 3 or Y buyers who would perhaps prefer something smaller.

At the dealer I visited, the first of four demonstrators had arrived and there was a queue of expectant deposit holders checking it over and taking it for a spin.

I managed a quick tour of the car between customers and was impressed with the fit and finish of the car. The front seats were trimmed in cloth and were very comfortable and supportive. Rear seating was not only comfortable, it provided a surprising amount of room for its 4.23 m length.

However, for those who didn’t place an advance order when the books opened mid last year – you may have to wait a little while if you place one now.

The staff member I spoke to commented that their allocation of vehicles was spoken for by those existing orders up to the end September.

Pricing:

• Single Motor Extended Plus (rear-wheel-drive): $67,544 on the road
• Single Motor Extended Ultra (rear-wheel drive: $74,112 on the road
• Twin Motor Performance Ultra (all-wheel-drive): $79,322 on the road

Warranty:

• 5 year, unlimited kilometre on vehicle
• 8 years for a minimum of 70% of state of health

Service interval:

• 2 yearly

Volvo EX30 Specifications:

Seating: 5

Boot volumes in litres (1 litre = 10 x 10 x 10 cm)

• Boot under parcel shelf: 318
• Rear seat folded: 904
• Froot (front boot): 7

Dimensions:

• Overall length: 4,233 mm
• Overall height: 1,549 mm
• Ground clearance: 177 mm
• Overall width (edge of doors): 1,838 mm
• Overall width (edge of mirrors): 2,032 mm

Battery:

• 69 kWh (64 kWh usable)

Energy consumption: (WLTP)

• 15.7 kWh/100 km (single motor)
• 16.3 kWh/100 km (dual motor)

Kerb weight:

• 1,850 kg (single motor)
• 1,960 kg (dual motor)

Charging:

• 1 phase AC: 7.4 kW max.
• 3 phase AC: 11 kW max.
• DC: 150 kW max.

Charge port location:

• Left-hand rear (behind rear passenger door).

Drive configuration:

• Single motor: rear-wheel drive
• Dual motor: all-wheel drive

Towing:

• 750/1600 kg (single motor)
• 750/1400 kg (all-wheel drive)

Performance: