By Gerry Murphy

We don’t associate Volvo with building small cars but here they are, bringing a small SUV to the market; it’s their new fully electric Volvo EX30 and although it is small, it is designed to be as safe as you’d expect from Volvo.

Volvo chiefs say that it is also designed to have the smallest CO2 footprint of any Volvo car to date they are claiming that it will make people’s lives safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable. This claim is based on some cutting-edge technology and Scandinavian design.

For now it is only available to order and will be ready for collection in 2024.

It is Volvo’s first small premium SUV and their fourth all-electric offering. As the market is rapidly moving towards full electrification, Volvo see the EX30 as a car to capture growing demand for fully electric cars in a fast-growing segment.

The attractive pricing of the EX30 which starts at €38,596 in Ireland is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. It includes the SEAI Grant and VRT Relief.   .

“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,” said Jim Rowan, Volvo Car Ireland chief executive. “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. Like any Volvo, it’s an outstanding product which is safe and designed around people and their needs.”

There is a single-motor option with an LFP battery for those who mainly take shorter journeys, a single-motor extended-range variant with an NMC with a range of up to 480km between charges. Then there is a twin-motor performance variant with all-wheel drive variant of the EX30 provides 315kW (428hp) and takes you from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds – officially Volvo’s fastest-accelerating car ever!

Another thing the EX30 does fast is charging. The extended-range Twin Motor variant has a charging capacity of up to 153kW, while the standard-range car has a capacity of 134kW. That means you can charge your battery from 10 to 80 per cent in a little over 25 minutes.

Volvo always prioritise safety in their cars and with this one they aim to look after both occupants and others using our streets. A new feature is a special safety feature for bikes that helps to prevent so-called ‘dooring’ accidents, by alerting you when you are about to open your door in front of a cyclist, scooter or runner.

Starting next year, the EX30 will also become available as a Cross Country variant. Order books for this special version of our small electric SUV will open in 2024, with production expected to start later that year.