Volvo's electric-only EX30 previewed at SG Motor Show

Singapore Motor Show 2024 visitors are treated to a preview of the Volvo EX30 on local grounds for the first time. This will be Volvo's second electric-only model to be released in Singapore. It is also the brand's smallest fully-electric crossover. 

The EX30 may not win in size but has a big heart for sustainability: It has the smallest CO₂ footprint of any Volvo car to-date. The car is built to make the driving experience safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable with its adoption of cutting-edge technology and Scandinavian design.

Volvo has done it again: This is the Volvo car with the smallest environmental footprint in the brand's lineup to-date

On the inside of the EX30 cabin, the wide array of recycled and renewable materials used for the seats, dashboard, and doors gives the car a "cradle-to-gate" CO₂ impact of approximately 18 tonnes. According to Volvo, cradle-to-gate describes the CO₂ impact from the extraction of raw materials to the finished car arriving at the dealer, before it is being driven. 

This is based on a carbon footprint of below 30 tonnes calculated over 200,000km of driving, against which other globally available Volvo cars were measured. Some of the smarter and sustainable materials used to achieve this small print in the EX30 include denim, flax, and a wool-blend that contains around 70% recycled polyester. 

On display through the four days of the Motor Show is the EX30 Single Motor Extended Range variant with an NMC extended-range battery. The NMC battery features lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt, and generates energy more efficiently. 

The EX30 may be compact but it impresses with its enviable range and powertrain

The EX30 is capable of fast charging: Its 153kW battery can be charged up from 10% to 80% on rapid DC charging in a scant 28 minutes. A single charge can take the car on a WLTP-rated range of up to 475km. 

As Mr. Nick Connor, Head of APeC, Volvo Cars, said during his unveiling of the EX30 on the first day of the Singapore Motor Show 2024, a juiced up EX30 should give good cover for a drive from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.    

With a maximum output of 200kW (268bhp) and 343Nm of torque, the EX30 Single Motor Extended Range is - as Volvo calls it - a "mighty" car that goes from zero to 100km/h in merely 5.3s. 

To support the best possible driving experience, Volvo said it has tuned the chassis of the EX30 to make the most of the car's compact dimensions. The car's low centre of gravity, as well as its relatively low and evenly distributed weight are complemented by ease of driving and nimbleness in the city and beyond.

While its 'EX' designation sets it apart from Volvo's more recognisable model nomenclature, the EX30's commitment to safety does not

With Volvo, safety is synonymous with its brand name. Founded in Volvo Cars' unique safety knowledge and research from real-world accidents, the EX30 is designed to protect its driver and passengers in the event of a crash. 

The car's chassis and safety cage (A-, B-, and C-pillars and the roof) are built with various forms of high-strength steel that efficiently offset the impact from a possible crash. The EX30 is also equipped with a far-side airbag on the inside of the driver's seat, which helps to reduce head and thorax injuries in a potential side impact.

Apart from these, the Volvo EX30 boasts an advanced suite of new active safety features that safeguard people on the inside and outside. For instance, a new driver alert system, of which includes hands-on detection in the steering wheel, detects eye and face movements around 13 times per second. Using an algorithm, this feature can determine whether the driver is distracted, drowsy or inattentive while on the road. 

This small wonder is the embodiment of all that Volvo Cars prides in its design values

One safety feature that comes as standard in the Volvo EX30 is its prevention of 'dooring' accidents. This works by alerting those on-board the car when they are about to open a door in front of a cyclist, scooter or runner.

The EX30 embodies all of Volvo Cars' design values in a smaller format. Its long wheelbase, large wheels, and equal overhangs bring balance and refinement to the exterior. The EX30 is offered in five vibrant exterior colours - from a stylish Cloud Blue to bright and expressive Moss Yellow - that give each rendition a distinctive character and personality. 

Singapore, the EX30 could be coming to our shores in just a few months!

"Inside the EX30 we continue our strategy of contextual and focused interfaces," says Tom Stovicek, Volvo Cars' Head of UX. "On the single screen, key driving information such as speed and charge levels are positioned prominently at the top, with navigation, media and controls easily visible and accessible below. We also include a contextual bar that gives you the most relevant functions for your needs at any time."

The EX30 is currently available for order across Europe and other selected markets, but has yet to debut locally. Volvo, however, has hinted at the car's entry into Singapore in the second quarter of this year.