Tested: 2024 Volvo EX30

Recently we were privileged to test the new fully-electric Volvo EX30. I was so excited about this new model, that I decided to fly up to Jo-burg for the soft launch. Without any specs on paper the main surprise was the starting price of just R775 900 for the EX30 Core model.

For the first time while testing an EV, I decided to attempt a longer journey over the weekend with my eldest son. Have you ever heard of the term ‘range-anxiety’? It entered the general public’s vocabulary with the introduction of EV’s into the automotive world. Our destination was just on the other side of Bonnievale, with a fast charging station on route outside of Caledon.

We had the EX30 Ultra twin motor on test and I had it charged fully at Rola Volvo, where they have a DC ultra fast charger in the car park. It takes about 26 minutes from 10 to 80%, which is exceptional.

Our destination was about 175 km’s away from Somerset West, so in theory I could have done the journey there and back in one go, as I had about 400km of full charge on the battery. EV’s in general are more efficient in urban areas due to constant deceleration that takes place in “one pedal” mode, which in return charges the battery.

Also, on the open road, wind resistance grows exponentially with acceleration, like in the graph below. So for the James May nerds, I can write 1,000+ words just on this topic and immediately lose 90% of the ‘influencers’ of today’s age. It’s important though to take into account Mother Nature’s role when it comes to EV’s, as I learned a big lesson myself that weekend.

So here’s the thing. In city driving you decelerate a lot. It’s obvious, and becomes second nature to use one pedal mode, whereby the battery charges every time you lift your foot off the pedal to brake. So, what I did on the open road is to keep the car in regenerative one pedal mode; which was all wrong.

In an attempt to keep the battery on charge whilst on the open road, one pedal mode at higher constant speeds causes the car to constantly brake against any possible coasting opportunities like on long down-hills.

So there you have it. Keep the car in “coast mode” on open highways (as one of Rola Volvo’s salesman also confirmed to me afterwards). That way, you will use less battery power in relation to city driving with one pedal mode. This piece of science can be applied to any new EV, not just this Volvo. We will, however, offer this patent to the Swedish brand as we rate their EV’s top class in today’s market.

Coming back to the EX30 Ultra, a stand-out factor is it’s 0-100 acceleration time. A supercar smashing 3.6 sec time to 100. Years ago, it was only possible on Sony’s first Playstation! I have always been a fan of hot hatches and enjoy acceleration more than pure speed, but the G’s pulled in this car are almost too much. Imagine what this Volvo will do to a German hatch with 4 exhaust pipes. Whether it’s from Merc or VW.

My honest pick will be the EX30 single motor plus. It has more than enough power, but with extended range from the larger battery. Architecturally the EX 30 is a piece of automotive art that we believe will be timeless like a P1800 today.

Interior design has been rewritten as well, with the introduction of a sound bar replacing the usual 6 speaker layout we have enjoyed up till now. Front passenger space certainly received preference with the expense of rear leg room for passengers.

Adults will not want to spend much time in the rear, but that’s about the only main gripe with this Swede. It’s a car that will probably be used by moms driving kids back and forth during the day between school and sport fields or by dad commuting to work, and winning any dice from the traffic lights.

The EX30 is a complete new car from Volvo, and with a price tag starting  elow the R800K mark, we hope that the order books will not overshoot the numbers available from the assembly line.

Pricing:

• EX30 Core – R775 900
• EX30 Plus – R865 900
• EX30 Plus twin motor – R935 900
• EX30 Ultra – R965 900
• EX30 Ultra twin motor – R995 900