Volvo is in the process of expanding its production capacity at the Ghent factory in Belgium to accommodate the EX30. The small electric crossover will hit the assembly line at this facility in 2025.
Presented earlier this year, the Volvo EX30 currently comes to life at Zhangjiakou in China, with the deliveries commencing later this year. Making it in Ghent for Europe and international markets will allow the Swedish car manufacturer to cash in more on the strong demand for small electric crossovers worldwide.
"Our ambition is to sell the EX30 around the world at an attractive price point," said Volvo's chief executive Jim Rowan. "Adding production in Ghent is a logical move as we aim to capture the strong demand for our exciting small electric SUV across the globe."
Besides being an important step for the company when it comes to its future, as it will go all-electric by 2030, the Volvo EX30 is also its smallest and fastest production vehicle ever. In the top form, it takes only 3.4 seconds to sprint to 60 mph (97 kph), aided by the dual-motor setup that produces a total output of 422 hp (428 ps/315 kW) and has 401 lb-ft (543 Nm) of torque.
Photo: Volvo
The base version uses a 268 hp (272 ps/200 kW) and 253 lb-ft (343 Nm) of torque electric motor driving the rear wheels. The acceleration climbs to 5.4 seconds when it comes to this model, which uses a 54 kWh battery pack. The mid-range option features the same motor but swaps the battery with a larger unit that has a 69 kWh capacity. This move improves the charging times, range, and performance, as the sprint time is now a 5.1-second affair.
Speaking of the range, the most affordable variant of the Volvo EX30 can do an EPA-estimated 200 miles (322 km). The mid-spec model's autonomy is rated at 275 miles (443 km), and choosing the range-topper will allow owners to travel for 265 miles (426 km) in between charges.
In the United States of America, the auto marque's zero-emission crossover starts at $34,950 before destination, with deliveries kicking off early next year. And if you thought the EX30 does not look that rugged, then you will be glad to learn that Volvo is planning to expand the family with the Cross Country derivative in 2024.
The more hairy-chested version of the car will come with the additional ground clearance required from such a model. It will also feature additional goodies such as the skid plates at the front, side, and rear, some black panels to further set it apart, the usual logos, and a set of bespoke tires, presumably with more rubber on them, which will be wrapped around the 18- or 19-inch wheels.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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