2024’s Electrek EV of the year will again be controversial: The Volvo EX30. The svelt car from the Swedish brand that is owned by a Chinese company tops our list because it embodies the future of EVs. The EX30 was originally going to be made in only in China, but is now being built in Europe as well and it could even be built in the US where deliveries are just now starting.
What is not debatable is that it is an electric vehicle. From the minimalist interior and exterior Swedish styling to the 3. 4 0-60 time of the AWD version (the fastest-accelerating Volvo) and its $35,000 starting price, the EX30 screams innovation. But as they say, that’s not all. . .
In the past Electrek’s vehicle of the year were:
Why is the EX30 compatible with this year’s bill? It is a mixture of many factors.
The EX30 is indicative of the future of electric cars. Like last year’s winner, the Tesla Model Y, it is a global car. The same car will go on sale in China, Europe and now the United States. It will be built in China and Europe. Depending on the Trump administration’s tax incentives – or lack thereof – it may even be built in the United States. Volvo has not yet said whether it will come to the South Carolina factory where the larger EX90 is made. If the Biden leadership did not create price lists for 100% Chinese-made cars, the United States would most likely already have Chinese versions of those cars on its roads. If the Trump administration abandons Chinese-only price lists, the United States may again see EX30s made in China.
Finally, a small EV!
One of the most refreshing aspects of the EX30 is its size. The Chevrolet Bolt was recently discontinued by GM, leaving a huge void in the compact electric vehicle space. Sure, there are Fiat 500E and two-door Mini Cooper EVs, but they’re more specialized cars.
The small length is just a matter of aesthetics, less difficulty in parking and more space in the garage. This also means that a smaller battery and less power can keep the car running. With a charging capacity of up to 153 kW, the Volvo EX30 can go from 10% to 80% in just over 25 minutes with maximum DC fast chargers. And 150kW will work fine here, you won’t want to look for the faster 350kW varieties. It also means that charging it will save time. power and money, especially on the road.
In EV-heavy European markets like Norway, the EV30 outsells everything on the market outside of Tesla’s declining Model Y. Volvo says the rocket-like AWD version is in high demand in the US.
“The EX30 is one of the most popular electric vehicles in Europe and will arrive in the U. S. this year with a very attractive and competitive starting price for the 422-horsepower Twin Motor Performance model with a range of 253 miles. A single-engine variant is expected to arrive in the United States by the end of 2025 with an even higher starting price. »
Let’s hope automakers take note. Make a cool little car and Americans, yes, Americans, will like it.
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It wouldn’t be a Volvo if it weren’t a car and its 5-star NCAP scores prove it. (NSFW:)
How compelling?
Read my full review from a year ago to get the excitement about this car. Check out the Reddit forums to hear how drivers are enjoying the vehicle. When I drove the car, I was flabbergasted with how well the RWD version handled, let alone the AWD model.
Let’s get those eye-watering specs out:
If you’re an American wondering about the length of the EX30, it is precisely between the Chevrolet Bolt EV and the EUV, which is a small car, through today’s standards. Plus, the 7-inch floor clearance makes the micro-SUV moniker a bit more plausible than the Bolt.
These monstrous strength and torque setups for a compact SUV just for speed. You can also tow a lot of small to medium weight (up to 2,500 pounds) with the EX30. This makes it a wonderful option for camping.
The EX30 Vehicle to X (grid/home/load/etc) of 11kW has been demoed but isn’t touted by Volvo.
I note here that the Kia EV9 arrives close to this price, but the smaller car is what we want by 2025.
I like the design and functionality of the Volvo, but I think I’d prefer the PS3 – similar in function, but given the number of possible options available, I’d pay a little more for the taste and strength of the Polestar. I hope other corporations can come close to the power of Lucid’s engine. The PS3 would be amazing with a smaller battery, lighter weight, and a little more battery life.
I think that’s a vital takeaway for me here. We want more smaller car options. Car sizes have decreased in the United States and this growing challenge is spreading globally. Large cars are inefficient and dangerous.
Another topic followed during FY30 is global politics, i. e. the current industrial issues between China and the West. Donald Trump and his partner Elon Musk will likely replace the US electric vehicle policy once they return and it will be interesting to see how this changes the incentives for US cars, adding the EX30.
For now, though, as American drivers get their hands on the quick little EX30, we have a favorite car for 2025.
Editor and editorial director of the sites 9to5/Electrek. Owner of Tesla Model 3, X and Chevy Bolt. . . 5 electric bikes and counting