Volvo’s cheapest electric SUV is proving to be the growth driver the brand hoped for. In September, the EX30 was the third best-selling Volvo model as EVs approached a quarter of global sales.
Volvo EX30 drives EV sales growth in September
Volvo sold 62,458 vehicles globally in September, an increase of 1% from last year. Despite a “volatile and uncertain market,” Volvo’s deputy CEO Björn Annwall said the company remains encouraged by its solid performance in Europe.
In Europe, Volvo’s sales reached 31,276 last month, up 32% compared to September 2023. Annwall said the sales growth was “spearheaded by the EX30.”
The low-cost electric SUV continues building momentum after the EX30 surged to become Europe’s second best-selling EV in August.
Starting at around $40,000 (30,000 euros) in Europe, the EX30 is Volvo’s cheapest and smallest electric SUV.
Volvo sold 9,610 EX30 models in September, its third best-selling vehicle behind the XC60 (18,096) and XC40/EX40 (13,930). The compact electric SUV pushed Volvo’s EV share of total sales to 24% for the month.
Despite the success in Europe, Volvo’s sales fell 22% (8,518) in the US last month and 16% in China (12,915).
Volvo’s electric vehicle sales fell 41% in the US last month and are down 65% through the first nine months of 2024.
In China, EV sales slipped 8% in September but are still up 17% year-to-date. Volvo launched the EX30 in China in May, starting at roughly $28,000 (200,800 yuan). It also launched its first luxury electric minivan, the EM90, in China, starting at about $114,000 (818,000 yuan).
Electrek’s Take
Volvo expects sales to turn around with new EVs launching in the US and China. The EX30 is scheduled to arrive in the US later next year. Starting at $34,950, the electric SUV will be among the most affordable EV options in the US.
The luxury 7-seater SUV starts at $79,995 and has a range of up to 310 miles. With two new electric SUVs in high-demand segments, Volvo is poised to turn things around in the US.
In China, Volvo is also targeting high-growth markets with the lower-cost EX30 and premium EM90 minivan rolling out.
After the 100,000th EX30 model rolled off the production line this week, Volvo will carry the momentum into 2025 with plans to begin producing the low-cost EV in Belgium. The European-made model will be exported to the US to avoid tariffs new tariffs on Chinese EV imports.
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Fall is here, and so is Amazon’s Prime Day on October 8-9 – your chance to snag up to 50% off BLUETTI’s portable power solutions! Exclusive Electrekreader discounts are up for grabs, but just like Halloween candy, they’re gone by October 31. Don’t miss out! Keep reading for all the details.
BLUETTI AC50B Portable Power Station
The AC50B power station is a compact powerhouse, weighing just 14.8 pounds and packing a personal-sized 448Wh capacity with 700W output (peaking at 1,000W). With six ports – two AC, two USB-C, one USB-A, and a car port – it’s ready to charge all your essentials.
Built to last, it features an ultra-safe LiFePO4 battery with 3,000+ life cycles, and it’s rated for at least 10 years of continuous use, making it a solid investment for road trips, camping, or any adventure. The Turbo Charging mode gets you back to 80% power in just 45 minutes with a wall outlet or fully charged in three hours using a 200W solar panel. Plus, you can easily monitor and control everything via the BLUETTI app on your smartphone or tablet.
The grab-and-go AC70 Power Station is your budget-friendly energy solution for everything from powering a campsite kitchen to setting up a remote workspace. With 950W Turbo Charging, it powers up fast—hitting 80% in just 45 minutes.
It weighs a mere 22.5 pounds, but the BLUETTI AC70 packs a punch when it comes to power. Its 768Wh capacity and DC, AC, and USB inputs support all your devices, whether it’s a 120W car fridge, a projector, or an induction cooktop.
The AC70 delivers 1,000W of continuous power to connect various appliances simultaneously. It also comes equipped with a “Power Lifting” function you can activate from the BLUETTI App. This feature can handle high-power resistive loads up to 2,000W, allowing you to power energy-intensive devices such as hair dryers, electric kettles, and heaters.
The AC70 also comes with an optional 120W solar panel so you’ll always have access to power if you’re headed off-grid.
BLUETTI AC180 Portable Power Station
Looking for a power solution that can keep up with your adventurous lifestyle? Meet the BLUETTI AC180 portable power station—your go-to energy source for everything from camping trips to home backup. With a robust 1,152Wh (or 1,440Wh for the AC180P) capacity and a powerful 1,800W output (up to 2,700W with Power Lifting Mode), this portable station can handle everything from charging your phone to running high-powered devices like space heaters and kettles. Its compact, grab-and-go design makes it easy to take wherever your adventures lead.
The AC180 is built for versatility. With 11 output ports – including AC, USB-A, USB-C, a 12V DC outlet, and even a wireless charging pad – it’s perfect for off-grid living, road trips, or home use during power outages. And when you’re out in the wild, simply hook it up to 200W solar panels to recharge in just a few hours. Plus, with the BLUETTI app, you can control and monitor everything from your phone.
The AC180 uses ultra-reliable LiFePO4 batteries, giving you over 3,500 life cycles. It even comes with a five-year warranty for that extra peace of mind. And with four flexible recharging options – AC, solar, car, or generator – you’ll never run out of power.
The BLUETTI AC200L is a portable power station that’s built to handle anything. With a powerful 2,400W AC output and a 3,600W Power Lifting Mode, it starts with a 2,048Wh capacity but can expand to a massive 4,096Wh with a B230 battery, or up to 8,192Wh with two B300 batteries (or 6,348Wh with two B210 batteries). Whether you’re prepping for an outage or hitting the road for an off-grid adventure, this portable powerhouse is ready for it all. Pair it with a 200W solar panel for easy, clean energy on the go.
Thanks to its LiFePO4 battery and advanced Battery Management System, you can count on the AC200L for efficient, quiet, and long-lasting performance – perfect for everything from daily electricity needs to outdoor adventures. Its versatility lets you power multiple devices, whether you’re cooking at camp or staying connected during a blackout.
One of the standout features of the AC200L is its solar capabilities. Supporting up to 1,200W of solar input, you can fully charge in just two hours with the right setup. No more stressing about losing power on long road trips or during extended camping stays – this station is designed to keep you powered up and ready for whatever comes next.
Minnesota’s only public school district located within a sovereign tribal nation has added two new electric school buses to its fleet.
This makes Red Lake School District #38 one of the first public school districts in the US with a predominantly Indigenous population (98%) to tap into funding from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which granted the district $790,000 to buy electric school buses and chargers. The school district’s curriculum includes teaching the Ojibwe language, Ojibwemowin, and Ojibwe traditions.
Tim Lutz, superintendent of Red Lake Schools, said, “As an educational institution, our priority is to provide learning opportunities for students and community members in as many ways as we can. We do this not only through our curriculum but also by embracing best practices in energy and sustainability while preparing our students for future careers. We’re proud to have acquired these two electric school buses, and we believe they will serve us well.”
The sovereign tribal nation’s district, which serves 1,560 students, partnered with Highland Electric Fleets, a company that provides Electrification-as-a-Service for school bus fleets in North America, to procure two Blue Bird Type C Vision Electric school buses and two EV chargers for its bus depot. The Vision Electric charges in six to eight hours and has a range of up to 130 miles. It has a Cummins PowerDrive 7000 propulsion system and a 155 kWh Li-ion NMC/ G cell battery.
Each of the new electric buses will transport about 50 students, and with the charging infrastructure in place, the electric buses will have an average range of 110 miles per day with a full midday charge. Together, the two buses are expected to cover around 10,000 miles per year.
Duncan McIntyre, CEO and founder of Highland Electric Fleets, told me in a video call, “School bus transportation is hyperlocal, and this project gave us the opportunity to meet Red Lake Nation where they are and help them further their mission of bringing safe, reliable electric school bus service to their community.”
On today’s episode of Quick Charge, rumors about a new Tesla van join the hype surrounding the Robotaxi reveal, and full self driving might be coming to the Tesla Semi. What’s more, Tesla is bringing back 0% financing on new Model Ys … if you buy FSD, that is.
We also explore BYD’s plans to sell 100,000 new EVs in North America next year, ZEEKR’s Europem [sic] expansion, and Texans’ take on government meddling in their solar rights. Enjoy!
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