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

Volvo EX30 exterior

To begin, what’s it? It’s a B-segment (subcompact) automotive with an SUV physique model, usually referred to as a crossover. It’s about 7 cm/3 inches longer than the Chevrolet Bolt. Its European opponents are within the checklist beneath. The B-segment is commonly the biggest section of automotive gross sales in Europe. Within the USA, it isn’t thought of an actual mass quantity automotive, however extra of a toy. The C-segment VW ID.3 isn’t even supplied within the USA as a result of its market section is simply too small.

Volvo EX30 Specs

Volvo EX30 inside

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

Helpful information 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 velocity: 430 km/h (267 mph)
• Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, high velocity 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 velocity: 550 km/h (342 mph)
• Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, high velocity 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 velocity: 540 km/h (335 mph)
• Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, high velocity of 180 km/h

For all variations:

• Euro NCAP not but examined
• Wheelbase: 2,650 mm (104.3”)
• Size * Width * Top: 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 usually are not included. The VAT (gross sales tax) varies between 19% and 25% in numerous international locations. In some international locations, there may be an additional luxurious tax on high of that. The Dutch costs are used right here — in different European international locations, 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 variety 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 high 10 mannequin and it has 5 variations with simply over 200 km of vary. (In case you are on a cellular system, click on right here to see the desk of Volvo EX30 opponents.)

Trying on the competitors within the B-segment, these Volvos are about essentially the most engaging BEV SUVs on sale. The Good and the higher Hyundai Kona variations come to market later this yr. In Europe, these automobiles usually are not thought of second automobiles in a family. When purchased new, they’ll doubtless be the primary automobiles within the family. And even when there may be 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 Good has comparable capability. This Volvo EX30 will likely be very fashionable within the UK for its capability to tug a traditional sized caravan to its vacation vacation spot. In different European international locations with a caravanning tradition, it’s also 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 popularity as a security. This could allow Volvo to ask for a premium on the worth. If it has the identical and even higher ADAS programs as the Volvo C40, it is going to doubtless be one of the best in school on this a part of the market. However with the vary, charging velocity, high velocity, acceleration, and towing all being across the high of the checklist, the worth is corresponding to different fashions on this section.

The Volvo XC40 is commonly within the high 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 high third of the market, totally electrical automobiles are beginning to be value aggressive with their dino-juice burning variations (in upfront value), 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 high 10. There may be not a lot to select from, however there may be enormous demand.

What the Volvo EX30 isn’t

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

The Mannequin Y can cost a bit quicker, however the EX30 has a bit extra vary. The highest velocity of the Mannequin Y is method 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 widespread than the D-segment. What’s holding again the gross sales of totally electrical automobiles 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 automobiles 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 totally depreciated manufacturing strains.

The worth distinction between an electrical SUV within the B-segment and one within the D-segment with comparable efficiency parameters must be greater than the €6,500 distinction between the EX30 and the Mannequin Y. It must be a distinction of not less than €10,000, or ideally €14,000. However crucial differentiator continues to be the scale. When searching for a D-segment automotive, a B-segment automotive isn’t an possibility, and if you want a B-segment automotive, you doubtless won’t take a look at a D-segment automotive.