Volvo EX30 to become a best-seller as the first models reach EU buyers
Don’t underestimate the Volvo EX30’s small size. As the first EX30 models reach European buyers, Volvo sees it as a best-seller over the next few years.
In June, Volvo unveiled its smallest and cheapest SUV, the EX30 (see our review). The Swedish automaker calls the electric SUV a “cornerstone” of its EV plans.
Starting at $34,950 (36,000 euros), it will be one of the most affordable electric cars on the market. With “above-expected order rates,” Volvo will build the EX30 at its Ghent, Belgium plant (in addition to China) to meet the growing demand in Europe for low-cost EVS.
Although EU production isn’t expected to begin until 2025, Volvo revealed the first EX30 models were handed over to customers last month.
In December, Volvo began deliveries in Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal in one of the most highly anticipated EV rollouts.
The company said the first EX30 deliveries mark a “significant milestone” in the company’s growth and EV strategies. Volvo expects the EX30 to become “one of your best sellers in the coming years.”
Volvo expects the EX30 to become a best-seller.
With “above-expected order rates,” the EX30 is drawing significant attention. Despite a slowdown in December, Volvo hit a new sales record in 2023. Volvo’s EV sales were up 70% last year, with over 113K purely electric vehicles sold.
Volvo’s EVs accounted for 16% of total sales, up from 10.9% in 2022. However, Volvo expects to turn things up this year with a full year of EX30 sales.
CEO Jim Rowan said he expects “reasonably decent volumes” in 2024 with new models launching in key segments.
Volvo’s first three-row electric SUV, the EX90, will go on sale soon. It will start at $76,695 in the US as a direct rival to the Rivian R1S and Mercedes EQS.
In China, Volvo is also launching its first electric minivan, the EM90. The EV minivan features a “Scandinavian living room” and up to 450 mi CLTC range.
Rowan confirmed the company is “not seeing any order cancellations or any slowdown in order intake” last month when asked about the “reported slowdown.”
Volvo Car USA spokesperson Russell Datz told Electrek Volvo EX30 deliveries are still on track to begin in the US this summer.
The electric SUV will be available in two powertrains: Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance. The extended range model features up to 275 miles range while the Performance variant gets 265 miles.
Meanwhile, with 422 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, the performance version is Volvo’s quickest car yet. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.
You can learn more about the EX30 and reserve your model on Volvo’s website. Volvo says a dealer will help finalize the process ahead of deliveries.
Electrek’s Take
Volvo is launching the EX30 at the perfect time. Demand for affordable electric cars continues building.
In the US, two of the cheapest EVs, the Chevy Bolt and Nissan LEAF, are due for replacements. GM already stopped building the low-cost Bolt at the end of 2023 (although you can still get it for under $20K while in stock).
The Bolt EVs replacement isn’t due out until next year, giving the EX30 a full sales year to get ahead.
The same situation is happening in Europe. Several automakers are targetting the low-cost EV market, including Stellantis with the Citroen e-C3. The electric car starts at around 23,000 euros (24,500) as one of Europe’s most affordable EVs.
Volkswagen also plans to launch its $27,000 (25,000 euro) EV, the ID 2all. However, a recent local media report suggests VW may delay ID 2all volume production by another year, giving Volvo a bigger window to expand.
What do you guys think? Will the Volvo EX30 become a best-seller? Let us know what you think in the comments.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
GM is recalling nearly 23,000 Chevy Equinox EV and Cadillac Optiq models due to a defect where the tire tread could fall off.
GM is recalling more Chevy Equinox EV models
In a letter sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GM said it has decided to issue a safety recall for certain Chevy Equinox EV and Cadillac Optiq models from model years 2025 to 2026.
This time, it isn’t necessarily GM’s fault. The vehicles may be equipped with 21″ all-season tires that Continental Tire is recalling.
According to Continental, the tires were produced during the week of October 6, 2024, and may have a defect where the tire tread could partially or fully detach. The records show the defect is due to a nonconforming tread base rubber compound.
Owners of affected vehicles may notice unusual tread wear or bulging, vibration while driving, or tire noises. GM is unaware of any incidents related to the defect, but is issuing the recall out of an abundance of caution.
On September 18, 2025, GM inspected the assembly plant and confirmed there were no suspect tires in stock. The 21″ tires come standard on RS trims and are optional on LT1 and LT2 grades.
Although GM is recalling 22,914 Chevy Equinox EVs and Cadillac Optiqs, it estimates that only about 1% of them have the defect.
The recall includes:
- 2026 Cadillac Optiq: 214
- 2026 Chevy Equinox EV: 1,832
- 2025 Cadillac Optiq: 3,468
- 2025 Chevy Equinox EV: 17,400
GM dealers will check all four tires and replace them if needed, free of charge. Dealers were notified on October 16. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out on December 1, 2025.
You can contact Chevrolet’s customer service number at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac’s at 1-800-333-4223. GM’s recall number is N252525030. Owners can also call the NHTSA hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the nhtsa.gov website for more information.
The Chevy Equinox EV is now the third best-selling EV in the US, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Meanwhile, Cadillac’s entry-level Optiq SUV is the fifth-most-popular luxury EV. The recall is minor and only affects a small percentage of models, so it’s not expected to have a major impact.
If you want to test one of them for yourself, we can help you get started. Check out our links below to find available Chevy Equinox EV and Cadillac Optiq models near you.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss Tesla’s earnings madness, Rivian layoffs, Ford pausing F-150 Lightning, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Some Tesla Cybertruck owners thought they were victims of vandalism, but it turned out that it was just a factory defect.
Earlier this year, amid Elon Musk’s controversial involvement in politics, there was a noticeable surge in vandalism against Tesla vehicles, particularly Cybertrucks.
Therefore, it’s not too surprising to see some owners worried that they were victims of vandalism when strange inscriptions appeared on their electric trucks.
Earlier this week, a Tesla Cybertruck owner posted on a Cybertruck Facebook group:
Any ideas how to remove a hydrochromic paint? Some person vandalized my truck. It only appears when wet.
The owner shared images of what he believed was invisible ink being used to vandalize his truck:
Several other owners chimed in and confirmed that they weren’t alone with this issue.
However, it is not vandalism. It’s a problem with Tesla’s protective film at the factory.
Another Cybertruck owner, Christian Maciel, had the same issue. He brought it to the Tesla service and shared the technician’s report.
The report mentioned “other owners report different initials (‘MPS’, ‘BLT’, ‘WC’)” showing up on the B pillar when wet – confirming that it is a widespread problem.
The culprit is an imprint from the factory protective film. Tesla wrote in the report:
Technician inspected the driver-side B-pillar and verified the presence of a persistent mark (‘BVT’) that appears when wet, confirmed as residue from factory protective film. The issue was caused by residue left after the removal of the factory’s protective film. Technician replaced the left-hand B-pillar applique to address the issue. The fix was validated by ensuring the mark no longer appears when the surface is wet.
They had to fully replace the part:
Tesla Cybertruck had about a dozen safety recall since going into production two years ago.
However, there are many more non-safety defects that led Tesla to conduct large-scale service of the Cybertruck.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024