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Volvo’s smallest and most affordable electric SUV just got the Cross Country treatment. The rugged new EX30 model is Volvo’s first EV to earn the rugged Cross Country upgrade. Check out the upgraded model below.

Volvo unveils new EX30 Cross Country electric SUV

We knew it was coming soon after Volvo teased the off-road variant model with a Steve Jobs-like “One More Thing” surprise during the EX30 launch in 2023. Now, it’s officially here.

Volvo revealed the EX30 Cross Country during a fireside chat in a secluded cabin in snowy Sweden. The new model has several added features and even more ground clearance for those who want to go off the beaten path.

The EX30 is already a top seller in Europe and is now rolling out in North America. Although it’s already a perfect electric SUV for getting around town, the Cross Country variant unlocks its full potential or, as Volvo says, “enables a seamless switch from one natural EX30 habitat to another.”

Volvo lifted the standard EX30, giving it more ground clearance. The Cross Country variant has 7.7″ of ground clearance compared to the standard model’s 7″.

Volvo-EX30-Cross-Country
Volvo EX30 Cross Country (Source: Volvo)

For a smaller electric SUV, that’s not too bad. In comparison, the Subaru Solterra has 8.3″ of ground clearance.

Small size, but built for big adventures

You can see a few differences right off the bat from the standard model, including an embossed blacked-out grille, skid plates, and wheel arches. It also added bigger 19″ wheels with an optional 18″ all-terrain accessory tire.

Inside, the new model still includes the EX30’s clever tech and storage, but Volvo upgraded it for off-road adventures.

Volvo-EX30-Cross-Country-interior
Volvo EX30 Cross Country interior (Source: Volvo)

Volvo removed the door speakers and replaced them with large storage bins. The speakers are now found on the dashboard in a soundbar.

Like all EX30 models, the Cross Country variant includes a 12.3″ tablet-style infotainment system with Google built-in.

Volvo-EX30-Cross-Country
Volvo EX30 Cross Country (Source: Volvo)

Powered by its dual-motor AWD system, the rugged new variant is “more than capable of handling the tough and slippery conditions” outside the city. The Cross Country model uses the same AWD powertrain as the EX30 Twin Motor Performance with up to 422 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque.

It’s also equipped with the same 65 kWh battery pack, which provides an EPA-estimated range of up to 253 miles with fast charging (10% to 80%) in 26.5 minutes. However, the lifted model will likely see a slight drop in range.

At 167″ long, 72″ wide, and 61″ tall with a wheelbase of 104″, the EX30 is about the size of a Chevy Bolt EV (163″ long x 70″ wide x 62″ tall).

The 2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance model starts at $44,900 in the US. Later this year, Volvo will launch the lower-priced Single Motor variant, starting at $34,950. Prices for the Cross Country model will be revealed closer to launch, but it’s expected to start at around $48,000 to $50,000, or slightly more than the Ultra upgrade ($46,600).

2025 Volvo EX30 trim Starting Price Driving Range
Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance, Plus $44,900 253 miles
Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance, Ultra $46,600 253 miles
2025 Volvo EX30 prices and range by trim in the US

After the first models were delivered in late 2023, the Volvo EX30 was the third-best-selling EV in Europe, behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.

What do you think of the new Cross Country model? Would you buy the rugged electric SUV for around $50,000? Drop us a comment below and let us know your thoughts.

Ready to check out Volvo’’ new electric SUV for yourself? We’ve got you covered. You can use our link to find deals on the 2025 Volvo EX30 models at a dealer near you today.

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Democratic senators blame White House, AI data centers for rising electricity prices

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Democratic senators blame White House, AI data centers for rising electricity prices

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) speaks to reporters outside the Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol Building on Oct. 1, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Andrew Harnik | Getty Images

Democratic senators on Monday blamed the White House push to fast track artificial intelligence data centers and its attacks on renewable energy for rising electricity prices in certain parts of the U.S.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and others demanded that the White House and Commerce Department detail what actions they have taken to shield consumers from the impact of massive data centers in a letter sent Monday.

Voters are increasingly feeling the pinch of rising electricity prices. Democrats Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger campaigned on the issue in the New Jersey and Virgina governors’ races, which they won in landslides last week.

The senators took aim at the White House’s relationship with companies like Meta, Alphabet, Oracle, and OpenAI, and the support the administration has shown for the companies’ data center plans.

The Trump administration “has already failed to prevent those new data centers from driving up electricity prices from a surge of new commercial demand,” the senators wrote. They accused the White House of making the problem worse by opposing the expansion of solar and wind power.

The White House blamed the Biden administration and its renewable energy policies for driving up electricity prices in a statement.

President Donald Trump “declared an energy emergency to reverse four years of Biden’s disastrous policies, accelerate large-scale grid infrastructure projects, and expedite the expansion of coal, natural gas, and nuclear power generation,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said.

The tech sector’s AI plans have ballooned in size. OpenAI and Nvidia, for example, struck a deal in September to build 10 gigawatts of data centers to train and run AI applications. This is equivalent to New York City’s peak baseline summer demand in 2024.

The scale of these plans have raised questions about whether enough power is available to meet the demand and who will pay for the new generation that is needed. Renewable energy, particularly solar and energy storage, is the power source that can be deployed the quickest right now to meet demand.

Retail electricity prices in the U.S. increased about 6% on average through August 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, according to the Energy Information Administration. Prices, however, can vary widely by region.

Download the full letter here. 

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Europe’s largest battery storage project is being built in Germany

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Europe's largest battery storage project is being built in Germany

Germany is about to become home to Europe’s largest battery storage system – a massive 1 gigawatt (GW) / 4 gigawatt-hour (GWh) project in Jänschwalde, Brandenburg.

LEAG Clean Power GmbH and Fluence Energy GmbH, a subsidiary of US-based Fluence Energy (NASDAQ: FLNC), are teaming up to build the “GigaBattery Jänschwalde 1000.” The four-hour system will use Fluence’s Smartstack technology, its latest large-scale energy storage solution.

Once complete, Europe’s largest battery storage project will play a key role in stabilizing Germany’s grid and storing renewable power for when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. It’s designed to deliver essential grid services, support energy trading, and boost energy security as the country phases out fossil fuels.

LEAG’s broader “GigawattFactory” plan combines solar and wind farms with flexible power plants and large-scale batteries across Germany’s Lusatian energy region. “By constructing gigascale storage facilities, we’re addressing one of the biggest challenges of the energy transition: ensuring constant power regardless of the availability of renewable energies,” said Adi Roesch, CEO of the LEAG Group.

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Fluence CEO Julian Nebreda described the project as a “milestone for the energy future of Germany and Europe,” adding that it demonstrates how collaboration and cutting-edge technology can “transform the foundation of our economy and our everyday lives.”

The German government recently reaffirmed the importance of storage in building a secure and affordable clean power system. With this 4 GWh giant, LEAG and Fluence are implementing that priority in one of Europe’s most coal-heavy regions.

Read more: Battery boom: 5.6 GW of US energy storage added in Q2


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The Genesis GV90 is shaping up to be a real stunner [Video]

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The Genesis GV90 is shaping up to be a real stunner [Video]

The GV90 will be the brand’s largest, most luxurious SUV yet. With its official debut coming up, a production version of the Genesis GV90 was spotted in public for the first time, offering a closer look at the stunning SUV.

The Genesis GV90 is a stunning flagship SUV

Genesis vehicles already have a unique design that’s hard to miss. The big Creste Grille, Two-Line Quad Lamps, and smooth character lines offer a refined, luxurious look, but Genesis is planning to take it to the next level with the GV90.

The GV90 is an “ultra-luxe, state-of-the-art SUV,” according to Genesis. It will be the luxury brand’s new flagship vehicle and first full-size electric SUV.

We got our first look at the flagship SUV last March after Genesis unveiled the Neolun concept at the New York Auto Show.

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The GV90 has been spotted out in public several times now, even flashing high-end features like coach doors and adaptive air suspension, but now, we are finally getting our first look at the production version in real life.

Genesis-GV90-stunner
Genesis Neolun ultra-luxury electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)

A new video from HealerTV shows the production version of the Genesis GV90 in action. Although it’s still covered in camo, you can see a few slight design changes from the concept shown last year.

The headlights and grille appear closer in design to its current vehicles, but other than that, the GV90 looks essentially the same up front as the Neolun concept.

Since it’s still covered, it’s hard to see where the headlights are connected at this point. From the side and rear, the GV90 looks identical to the concept.

Genesis has yet to announce an official launch date, but the GV90 could debut by the end of the year with sales expected to kick off in mid-2026.

Genesis-GV90-coach-doors
Genesis Neolum electric SUV concept interior (Source: Hyundai Motor)

The flagship SUV is rumoured to be the first vehicle to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which it claims will “provide 50% improvement in driving range” compared to its current EVs. It will also serve as a tech beacon, featuring Hyundai’s most advanced connectivity and safety tech.

We will learn official prices and final specs soon, but one thing is for sure: it won’t be cheap. The Genesis GV90 is expected to start at around $100,000, but higher trims could cost significantly more with added features and options.

Genesis is also introducing its first hybrid, the GV80, next year, followed by its first extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) based on the GV70. The EREV is expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027. There’s also an off-road SUV in the works, which will likely arrive as a 2027 model.

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