Electric pocket rocket Volvo EX30 is its cheapest and fastest car

Volvo has unveiled its fastest ever accelerating production car in the form of its smallest ever family SUV – the new all-electric EX30.

Priced at launch from £33,795, it is also the cheapest Volvo in the current range – beating even petrol models on cost – with an even cheaper base model to follow from around £31,000.

For those with deeper pockets and a need for speed, a considerably more expensive top of the range version can hit 62mph in just 3.6 seconds – giving it the ability to outrun some supercars from a standing start.

The new model is set to be a major player for Volvo and expected to account for around a quarter of its annual sales, which are around 650,000 a year now but were at 800,000  before the Covid pandemic.

And the zero-emissions five-seater sports utility vehicle costs no more than it would if it were a petrol model – putting electric mobility on a par with the internal combustion engine, Volvo claims.

The top of the range all-wheel drive Twin Motor Performance model will accelerate from 0 to 62mph in just 3.6 seconds – making it the fastest Volvo production car in history. Top speed for all versions is restricted to 112mph.

For the EX30’s global launch, the Swedish car firm led by a British car boss and owned by Chinese motor giant Geely took the wraps off the compact sports utility vehicle in the fashionable Italian city of Milan.

Order books open today ahead of first UK deliveries in the first quarter of 2024 – with around 70 per cent of buyers predicted to purchase one as a second car, according to Volvo. 

There are two trim levels at launch – Plus and Ultra – with an entry-level Core to follow later, plus a selection of interior designs and exterior colours.

And for more adventurous types, an EX30 Cross Country variant is also set for launch in 2024.

The new electric SUV takes a leaf out of home cinema surround sound with a dashboard soundbar running the width of the car and freeing up space in the doors for more storage. There’s also a central glove box in the middle of the dash.

Volvo said: ‘The EX30 might be the smallest Volvo SUV yet, but its urban-friendly exterior dimensions belie a roomy and comfortable interior with plenty of smart storage space.

‘Equally, it has a big role to play as a key model in Volvo Cars’ electrification strategy and growth ambitions.’

Launch: The Swedish manufacturer unveiled the model in Milan

Charging: Volvo says it will take between 26 and 28 minutes to go from 10% battery to 80%

The three launch options 

Built in China and based around a new battery-power platform, there are there are three all-electric EX30 powertrains at launch:

Cheapest option: Aimed at owners who will make many shorter hops around town, the initial entry-level 272 horse-power (200kW) Single Motor rear-wheel drive in Plus trim priced from £33,795 has a 51kWh battery and accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 5.7 seconds with a range of up to 214 miles. It will become the cheapest Volvo in the current range, pipping the XC40 B3 petrol at around £36,000.

Middle option: The similarly-powered 272hp (200kW) Single Motor Extended Range model with a more powerful 69kWh battery starts from £38,545 and accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 5.3 seconds. It has the longest range at up to 298 miles.

Top of the range option: The most powerful range-topping all-wheel drive 428hp (315kW) Twin Motor Performance has two electric motors, one on each axle, and accelerates from 0 to 62mph in just 3.6 seconds, making it the fastest accelerating production Volvo ever, with a range of up to 286 miles. It is priced from £40,995 (Plus trim) to £44,495 (Ultra trim).

Riding on wheels of between 18-inches and 20 inches depending on spec, the three EX30 models will tow 1,000kg, 1,400kg and 1,600kg respectively.

Charging from 10 per cent to 80 per cent takes between 26 minutes and 28 minutes on a DC fast charger, depending on model.

Power consumption is reasonably frugal at up to 4 miles/kWh.

Boot space increases from 318 litres with the seats up to 904 litres with rear seats folded. And there’s a ‘will it fit?’ size guide inside the rear tail-gate to help work out whether there’s room for transporting bulky items such as furniture or purchases from IKEA.

The EX30’s Plus specification includes 12.3-inch touchscreen display, two-zone climate control, a Harman Kardon premium sound system with dashboard width soundbar, front and rear parking sensors and rear camera, heated front seats and steering wheel, a heat pump and an 11kW on-board charger.

The Ultra grade adds features including a 360-degree camera with virtual 3D view, fixed panoramic sunroof, Park Pilot Assist self-parking system, 20-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats and a 22kW on-board charger.

All come with a three-year/60,000-mile care package.

EX30: Boot space increases from 318 litres with the seats up to 904 litres with rear seats folded

Green credentials: Volvo says it has used more recycled materials in constructing the EX30

It promises green credentials with greater use of recycled materials in the car’s construction and close scrutiny on reducing lifecycle carbon emissions – from creation to end-of-life disposal. 

It contains 25 per cent recycled aluminium, 17 per cent recycled steel and plastics, as well as an array of recycled material in the interior trim and dashboard.

This includes fabrics made from woven linseed flax, upcycled denim fibres from jeans, ground plastic waste from discarded plastic window frames and shutters, recycled polyester, and carpets made from recycled plastic bottles.

Safety features are also prominent. This includes new Safe Space Technology designed to addresses accident risks in urban areas which equips the car with front and rear cross traffic alert with brake support. 

This detects and warns the driver of other vehicles approaching unexpectedly and applies automatic braking if there’s an imminent collision risk. 

Door Opening Alert gives the driver and occupants visual and audible warnings to help guard against a door being opened into the path of a cyclist or other road user approaching from the rear.

Volvo’s Scottish-born chief-executive Jim Rowan, a former chief executive of tech firm Dyson, said: ‘The fully electric EX30 might be our smallest-ever SUV, but it’s a big deal for our customers and a big deal for us as a company.

‘We like to say the EX30 is small yet mighty because it delivers on everything you’d want from a Volvo, but in a smaller package. It’s an outstanding product which is safe and designed around people and their needs.’

Volvo Cars UK managing director Kristian Elvefors said: ‘The EX30 has huge potential for expanding the reach and performance of our brand in the UK. 

‘It brings together our established strengths in electrification, safety and design without compromise in a convenient, compact package.

‘It will have strong appeal to urban consumers looking for an efficient electric car that’s easy to live with.’

The new EX30 will be followed into showrooms late next year by Volvo’s new all electric flagship EX90.

As well as owning Volvo Cars, Chinese parent company Geely also owns Britain’s Lotus and London electric black-cab-makers LEVC, and Sweden’s Polestar.

It recently spent £234million doubling to around 17 per cent its stake in Aston Martin  as it goes electric, prompting speculation that James Bond’s favourite car company may at some point also be added to ambitious Geely’s growing portfolio of British and European brands.