Chinese-Made Volvo EX30 Electric SUV Launched in China, Coming Soon to U.S.

Volvo’s EX30 battery electric vehicle SUV made its debut in China in May, with a price range of 200,800-255,800 yuan ($27,800-$35,400 USD). It’s most likely going to go head-to-head as a rival to the best-selling Chinese car company BYD, in particular the BYD Atto 3.

Volvo’s website listed that reservations of the Volvo EX30 are now open, with a $500 refundable deposit and an expected release in summer 2024.

The Volvo EX30, Volvo’s Smallest All-Electric SUV Model, Packs a Lot of Power

The Volvo EX30 is built on the SEA platform, showcasing a front face that features T-shaped Thor Hammer headlights and a closed grille design.

As the brand’s smallest SUV model to date, the EX30 measures 4233/1838/1555 mm with a wheelbase of 2650 mm. The EX30 comes in several variants with different ranges: 

• The RWD core offers a 410 km CLTC range
• The RWD long-range plus and ultra variants boast a 590 km CLTC range
• The AWD high-performance ultra achieves a 540 km CLTC range.

The Volvo EX30 also offers a range of powertrain options:

• The RWD core model features a 200 kW (272 hp) motor paired with a 49 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.
• The RWD long-range plus and long-range ultra models both come equipped with the same 200 kW (272 hp) motor but utilize a larger 66 kWh ternary lithium battery.
• The AWD high-performance ultra model boasts a more powerful 315 kW (428 hp) motor and the same 66 kWh ternary lithium battery.

Across the entire series, the Volvo EX30 achieves a top speed of 180 km/h (111.8 mph), with the most rapid model accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. The EX30’s fastest DC fast charging time is 26 minutes, replenishing the battery from 10% to 80%.

An Elegant Interior Features Environmentally Friendly Recycled Materials

The interior of the Volvo EX30 is designed with simplicity and elegance, featuring a 12.3-inch vertical central control screen and concealed air-conditioning outlets. The traditional buttons on the three-spoke multi-function steering wheel have been upgraded to touch controls.

A 1.2-meter-long Harman Kardon soundbar stretches across the dashboard, ensuring high-quality sound. Volvo emphasizes its commitment to sustainability by utilizing environmentally friendly recycled materials in the interior, such as flax fiber and denim elements, with 30% of the decorative panels made from recyclable plastics and renewable materials.

The Volvo EX30 also boasts advanced Level 2 driving assistance functions, achieved through a combination of a front camera, millimeter-wave radars, ultrasonic radars, a rear camera, and an interior camera. The trunk volume is 318 liters, with an ability to expand to 904 liters when folding down the rear seats.

Chinese-Produced Volvo, Lotus, and Polestar Subject to 100% U.S. Tariffs

Volvo is a well-respected, originally Swedish brand that has a loyal and significant customer base in the U.S. But Volvo, Lotus, and Polestar are owned by China’s Geely, and they face the most significant impacts from the new 100% Chinese EV tariffs announced on May 14. So far, it’s unclear how Geely will handle the 100% tariffs, whether the company will pass the cost to the American consumer or not.

A majority of automotive experts disagree with the tariffs, saying they make U.S. companies less competitive. They tend to agree that U.S. automakers are focused on short-term profits while China has played the long game and dominated the global EV industry.

Automotive expert Tu Le, Founder at Sino Auto Insights, said: “There is a very little known trade law that could potentially help it avoid the 100% tariffs that have been recently slapped on Chinese made EVs. If that’s the case, I see a ton of potential for the EX30. I’ve heard good things about it and it hits at the sweet spot pricewise for U.S. consumers interested in moving towards a clean energy vehicle, even without the help of the $7.5K subsidy that non-Chinese associated EVs receive. Volvo has always been a bit quirky and niche in the U.S. but this could be a runaway hit of 2024 if they can indeed avoid the tariff and with the help of Geely, ramp production without issue.”

Volvo’s Chinese ownership may cause some controversy, but Volvo enjoys strong sales in the U.S. Volvo Car USA and Canada sold 11,814 cars in April 2024, up 12.3% over the same period in 2023. Volvo’s fully electric and plug-in hybrids accounted for a 32.8% share, an increase of 16.9% over the same period in 2023. Volvo has participated in Electrify Expo, America’s leading EV event.

Source