Volvo EX30 Introduction — By The Numbers

This introduction of the Volvo EX30, by the numbers, tries so as to add some perspective to this new mannequin — exhibiting what this new mannequin is and what it’s not. When offered to the world, it was described in superlatives and adjectives. Within the presentation, there have been few concrete information. To get a clearer thought about what this automotive is, we’ve to take a look at the numbers.

Volvo EX30 exterior

To start out, what’s it? It’s a B-segment (subcompact) automotive with an SUV physique model, usually known as a crossover. It’s about 7 cm/3 inches longer than the Chevrolet Bolt. Its European opponents are within the listing beneath. The B-segment is commonly the most important phase of automotive gross sales in Europe. Within the USA, it’s not thought of an actual mass quantity automotive, however extra of a toy. The C-segment VW ID.3 shouldn’t be even provided within the USA as a result of its market phase is simply too small.

Volvo EX30 Specs

Volvo EX30 inside

In Europe, the Volvo EX30 is now provided in three variations: a typical vary 49-kWh RWD, an prolonged vary 64-kWh RWD, and a efficiency 64-kWh AWD are right here to select from.

Helpful knowledge from ev-dsatabase.org are as follows:

Specs for the Volvo EX30 Single Motor, value beginning at €36,795:

• Battery: 49 kWh LFP with about 280 km (174 miles) of vary.
• Motor: 200 kW and 343 Nm of torque, rear-wheel drive.
• Charging: 134 kW DC and 11 kW AC.
• Curb weight: 1,833 kg (4,041 lb)
• Towing braked: 1,000 kg (2,204 lb)
• Charging pace: 430 km/h (267 mph)
• Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, prime pace of 180 km/h

Specs for the Volvo EX30 Single Motor ER, value beginning at €41,495:

• Battery: 64 kWh NMC with about 370 km (230 miles) of vary.
• Motor: 200 kW and 343 Nm of torque, rear-wheel drive.
• Charging: 153 kW DC and 11 kW AC.
• Curb weight: 1,830 kg (4,034 lb)
• Towing braked: 1,400 kg (3,086 lb)
• Charging pace: 550 km/h (342 mph)
• Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, prime pace of 180 km/h

Specs for the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Efficiency, value beginning at €49,995

• Battery: 64 kWh NMC with about 360 km (224 miles) of vary.
• Motor: 315 kW and 543 Nm of torque, all-wheel drive.
• Charging: 153 kW DC and 11 kW AC.
• Curb weight: 1,943 kg (4,283 lb)
• Towing braked: 1,600 kg (3,527 lb)
• Charging pace: 540 km/h (335 mph)
• Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, prime pace of 180 km/h

For all variations:

• Euro NCAP not but examined
• Wheelbase: 2,650 mm (104.3”)
• Size * Width * Peak: 4,233mm (166.7”) * 1,837 mm (72.3”) * 1,549 mm (61”)

A warning earlier than you begin changing these costs to US {dollars}. These costs are with gross sales tax, registration/license plate, and supply prices included. Financing and insurance coverage are usually not included. The VAT (gross sales tax) varies between 19% and 25% in numerous nations. In some nations, there’s an additional luxurious tax on prime of that. The Dutch costs are used right here — in different European nations, they’ll fluctuate barely.

The Volvo EX30’s competitors

The competitors in Europe is these 12 fashions within the B-segment, with a complete of 26 variations amongst them. The BEVs with a spread of fewer than 200 km are omitted. They’re no competitors for the Volvo. The Fiat 500e can’t be omitted, as it’s a prime 10 mannequin and it has 5 variations with simply over 200 km of vary. (If you’re on a cellular gadget, click on right here to see the desk of Volvo EX30 opponents.)

Wanting on the competitors within the B-segment, these Volvos are about essentially the most engaging BEV SUVs on sale. The Sensible and the higher Hyundai Kona variations come to market later this 12 months. In Europe, these vehicles are usually not thought of second vehicles in a family. When purchased new, they’ll doubtless be the principle vehicles within the family. And even when there’s one other automotive, if that different automotive is a dino-juice burner, it’s relegated to second place.

One of many issues that set the EX30 aside from the competitors is its towing capability (1,000 kg — 1,600 kg braked). Few of the competitors have any towing capability, and solely the Sensible has comparable capability. This Volvo EX30 will probably be highly regarded within the UK for its potential to drag a standard sized caravan to its vacation vacation spot. In different European nations with a caravanning tradition, additionally it is with out competitors.

The place is that this Volvo EX30 Cross-Nation going? We don’t know.

Oh, that’s the place it was going.

In most markets, Volvo is taken into account an unique and a little bit of a luxurious model, with a status as a security. This could allow Volvo to ask for a premium on the worth. If it has the identical and even higher ADAS methods as the Volvo C40, it is going to doubtless be the very best at school on this a part of the market. However with the vary, charging pace, prime pace, acceleration, and towing all being across the prime of the listing, the worth is corresponding to different fashions on this phase.

The Volvo XC40 is often within the prime 10 in Europe, and the C40 wanders across the twentieth spot. The EX30 can get within the higher a part of the tables, too. Within the prime third of the market, absolutely electrical vehicles are beginning to be value aggressive with their dino-juice burning variations (in upfront price), however this isn’t the case within the B-segment. Anticipate to pay an additional €10,000 or extra for the BEV model within the backside third of the market. However, there are 4 supermini BEVs within the European prime 10. There’s not a lot to select from, however there’s enormous demand.

What the Volvo EX30 shouldn’t be

Now, let’s focus on what the Volvo EX30 is not. It’s not a competitor for the Tesla Mannequin Y. I perceive the thought, however there’s zero competitors between a B-segment car and a D-segment car. It’s extra about dimension than about value. If the costs have been the identical, I’d nonetheless select the Volvo EX30. However the Mannequin Y is 16% or €6,500 dearer anyway.

The Mannequin Y can cost a bit sooner, however the EX30 has a bit extra vary. The highest pace of the Mannequin Y is means above the highest of the EX30, however with 180 km/h (112 mph), the EX30 is quicker than most drivers would ever drive. The EX30’s acceleration 0–100 km/h is 5.3 seconds, higher than the 6.9 seconds of the Mannequin Y. However beneath 8 seconds, who actually cares? That’s nearly bragging rights, not a practical driving benefit.

Towing a caravan of 1,400 kg or 1,600 kg could be a issue for some. Whether it is, that is a bonus to the Mannequin Y.

In Europe, the B-segment is extra well-liked than the D-segment. What’s holding again the gross sales of absolutely electrical vehicles within the B-segment is the nonetheless costs being too excessive. A 64 kWh battery prices the identical within the B-segment as within the D-segment, however ICE autos within the D-segment usually have costly V6 engines. The competitors within the B-segment have very low cost 3-cylinder engines made in very excessive volumes on absolutely depreciated manufacturing traces.

The worth distinction between an electrical SUV within the B-segment and one within the D-segment with comparable efficiency parameters ought to be larger than the €6,500 distinction between the EX30 and the Mannequin Y. It ought to be a distinction of no less than €10,000, or ideally €14,000. However crucial differentiator continues to be the dimensions. When in search of a D-segment automotive, a B-segment automotive shouldn’t be an possibility, and while you want a B-segment automotive, you doubtless is not going to take a look at a D-segment automotive.