EXCLUSIVE: Volvo EX30 Coming To India At The Start Of 2025

The challenge for Volvo will be how to position and price the EX30 in India.

By Siddharth Vinayak Patankar

Last updated: June 21, 2024 | 4 min read

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The challenge for Volvo will be how to position and price the EX30 in India.

The smallest model and EV in Volvo’s global portfolio is now confirmed as coming to India. The Volvo EX30 is the latest model from the Swedish carmaker and has become quite the hit for the Geely-owned company. The car is also the reigning World Urban Car, awarded at the 2024 World Car Awards in March this year. The EX30 is based on the Geely SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform that’s developed to spawn a range of subcompact electric car models across the group’s brands. The Volvo EX30 is marketed as a subcompact crossover here in Europe, and sits below the EX40/EC40 (formally known as the XC40 Recharge/C40 Recharge) in the lineup. And the consensus at the brand’s Gothenburg HQ is that the EX30 has been received much better than the company had initially expected.

Also Read: Volvo EC40 To Launch In India In Q3 2024

This is one reason why some markets are going to get the car later, as demand from regions where it’s already launched is higher than anticipated. The other reason - and this one will not be confirmed on the record by the company - is that the EX30 is only made in China at present. Given the geopolitics of the day, a second production is likely to begin later this year at Volvo’s plant in Ghent, Belgium. This is also where the EC40 and EX40 are made - though those models use the slightly larger CMA (Common Modular Architecture) platform. This way any restrictions on imports from China in to certain countries, will not create roadblocks to launch plans for the EX30 in that market. Volvo is looking to introduce the EX30 in over 90 countries by the year end.

The EX30 shares a lot in common with the Zeekr X and Smart #1 electric compacts. [While Zeekr is a Geely group Chinese brand dedicated to premium NEV (new energy vehicle) models, Smart is now a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely.] But both those models are slightly larger than the EX30 and use different battery pack options. The EX30 primarily uses a 69 kWh battery, though there is a smaller 51 kWh variant for limited markets. The former has a single motor RWD or rear-wheel-drive, extended range RWD, and twin motor AWD or all-wheel-drive variants. India is likely to get the AWD model at the start, though the final strategy is yet to be cemented.

Volvo EX30 vs Volvo XC40 Recharge: Dimensions

Dimensions	Volvo EX30	Volvo XC40 Recharge
Length	4233 mm	4440 mm
Wheelbase	2650 mm	2702 mm
Width	1838 mm	1873 mm
Height	1550 mm	1647 mm

The challenge for Volvo will be how to position and price the EX30 in India. Given it is a smaller car than the XC40/EX40, it would need to be cheaper. The XC40 starts at ₹46.40 lakh, ex-showroom; while its electric or Recharge alter-ego (soon to be rebranded at EX40 in India too) starts at ₹54.95 lakh. Potential rivals will include the smaller MINI Cooper SE (starts at ₹53.5 lakh) and the much larger Hyundai IONIQ5 (starts at ₹46.05 lakh), and BYD Atto 3 (starts at ₹33.99 lakh). The EX30 is also one of the smallest (read limited cabin room) crossovers of this lot, and has spartan, minimalist interiors. The pricing of its own range, global positioning of the EX30, and those other models puts pressure on getting pricing right.

Volvo EX30 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BYD Atto 3: Dimensions

Dimensions	Volvo EX30	Hyundai IONIQ5	BYD Atto 3
Length	4233 mm	4635 mm	4455 mm
Wheelbase	2650 mm	3000 mm	2720 mm
Width	1838 mm	1890 mm	1875 mm
Height	1550 mm	1625 mm	1615 mm

And the car drives very well, its twin motor variant can do 0-100 kmph in 3.6 seconds, and is really catching on popularity and reputation. It is great that Volvo has decided to bring the car to India. And this reporter certainly hopes it gets that positioning right. The car has immense potential. And could help secure the individual owner-driven premium EV market in conjunction with the 40 duo. The EX30 is pretty well loaded with safety, tech – in line with what buyers want these days. Like other Volvos, the EX30 uses the built-in Google / Android Auto suite in its infotainment interface, but also offers options like wireless Apple CarPlay. The 2025 Volvo EX30 has a starting price pegged at around $35,000 in the United States. That makes it one of the most affordable electrics. In simple conversion terms that equates to ₹29 lakh. If Volvo can keep the price in ₹30-35 lakh range we would have a great proposition on our hands!

About the author

Siddharth Vinayak Patankar

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Siddharth is one of the best-known faces of Indian journalism. He has set up a new media entity at Acko Tech, with the Acko Drive channel as its first platform. It focuses on bringing consumers content relevant to them from the automobile industry. Siddharth began his career as a news journalist and features producer at the prolific NDTV network. He spent many years reporting from the field from around the world, and also was one of the country's top primetime news anchors for several years. As the anchor and editor of the country's most-watched and longest-running automobile based programme - The Car and Bike Show, on the NDTV network, Siddharth helped evolve a new niche of auto-based viewing and programming for Indian television and on the Internet. He is a well-respected name, not just as an automobile journalist, but also as a former financial correspondent who specialises in the automobile industry. He also conceived and began the annual carandbike Awards, and now subsequently the Acko Drive Awards, which hold the reputation of being the most non-controversial and sought-after awards for the Indian auto industry. In 2014 Siddharth helped create the digital automobile entity carandbike which now commands a massive traffic of 22 million visitors per month, and leads all digital automobile media in India on content. He routinely travels to all parts of the world to test new cars and cover the latest in automobile design and technology. When he gets the time, he loves to cook and try new food! Siddharth holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Studies from the prestigious Pune University. He has also studied in Australia and the United States. He has represented India on the World Car jury since 2011 and has served as Director - the first Asian to hold the post - since 2014. He also became the first Asian to be Vice Chair (2021-23), and now Chair (2024-present).