EX-traordinarily affordable Volvo
GREEN: CARBON REDUCTION OF 30 TONS OVER 200 000KM SALAUNCH
Volvo Cars South Africa last week unveiled the much-anticipated EX30, its smallest and most-affordable electric vehicle (EV). Its first wholly dedicated EV based on fellow Geely affiliate brand Zeekr’s sustainable experience architecture platform, and not the scalable production architecture 2 that underpins the EX90 as erroneously reported until now, the EX30 takes up station above the XC40, without replacing any derivatives or indeed the electric P6 and P8 versions of the model soon to be renamed EX40.
The fourth fully electric Volvo in South Africa after the pair of XC40s, as well as the C40 Recharge, will have a line-up spanning five models and two power units, all priced below R1 million and with a range less than 500km.
Said to be the most sustainable Volvo made, as per the brand becoming fully electric by 2030, the EX30’s body structure is made largely out of recycled aluminium and steel in a move the Chinese-owned Swedish brand says has reduced it carbon footprint by 30 tons over an eventual 200 000km distance.
The same applies to the interior, where apart from omitting leather entirely, the majority of the materials and veneers on the doors and dashboard are made from 75% recycled polyester, denim and wool, the carpets from plastic bottles and the seat upholstery is also in part from recycled bottles.
Riding on alloy wheels from 19 to 20-inches in three designs, the EX30’s interior conforms to the minimalist design method as all of the various functions now reside within the new 12.3-inch infotainment system.
An instrument binnacle is no longer offered, its place taken by a thin sensor panel that scans the interior, as well as the driver’s facial signs as part of the driver attention alert system.
Besides the electric window switches now moving to the floating centre console, plus touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, the EX30 also loses the gear lever that now moves to the steering column.
In its place, the console, which Volvo describes as “extremely versatile” houses a pop-out pair of cupholders in a tray below the upper armrest, and at its base, a wireless smartphone charger plus a storage area that increases in depth by a recess hidden by a split opening.
Taking centre stage though, all but the base model are equipped with the unique 1 000-watt Harman Kardon sound system that utilises a soundbar running the entire width of the dashboard below the windscreen.
Measuring 4 233mm long, 1 837mm wide, 1 555mm tall and riding on a wheelbase of 2 650mm, opening the EX30s’ tailgate reveals a storage hold of 318-litres, or as much as 902-litres with the rear seats folded down.
The line-up comprises three trim levels, starting with the Core that produces 200kW/343Nm from its 51kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery pack.
The claimed range is 344km with 0-100km/h taking 5.7seconds. As with all Volvos, top speed is limited to 180km/h.
Sporting the same power outputs, the step-up mid-range Plus and flagship Ultra are both motivated by a 69kWh battery pack that allows for a range of 476km and 0-100km/h in 5.3sec.
At the range’s summit, the twin motor performance variant of the mentioned pair adds a secondary electric motor to the rear axle, which sees power increase to 315kW and torque to 543Nm.
The four-wheel-drive configuration means added weight and as a result, range decreases to 460km while 0-100km/h comes up to a significantly quicker 3.6sec.
Claimed charging time using a DC fast charger requires a waiting time of 30 minutes from 10% to 80%.
The Core boasts 18-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and rear parking sensors, while the Plus recieves the smartphone charger and Harman Kardon audio, ambient lighting, 19-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, and an electric tailgate.
Reserved for the Ultra is the park pilot system, heated and electric front seats, a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a fixed panoramic sunroof.