Volvo Car South Africa has confirmed that the new fully electric EX30 is well on its way to local shores, with the country’s first allocation of units already on the water.
Scheduled to launch locally in the opening quarter of 2024, the highly anticipated EX30 will touch down as one of the most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) on the market, with the five-strong line-up bearing a starting price of R775 900. As of September 2023, more than 150 pre-orders for the small Swedish luxury SUV had already been placed.
Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, says the fact that South Africa will be among the first countries in the world to receive its initial allocation clearly illustrates this versatile new model’s broader importance to the local market, as well as robust early demand from consumers.
“Typically, South Africa is not in the first wave of a new model’s global launch. But that’s changed with the EX30, as our initial allocation is already inbound. This means we’ll see the first examples on local roads at the same time as they arrive in major markets in Europe, North America and Asia,” said Maruszewski, adding that he expects the EX30 to be one of the best sellers in South Africa’s burgeoning EV segment next year.
Volvo EX30 exterior
Ahead of its arrival in South Africa, the new EX30 has been shortlisted as one of seven contenders in the running for the 2024 iteration of the prestigious European Car of the Year Award, a title won by the XC40 back in 2018. This comes after the XC40 Recharge – a model that has dominated SA’s fully electric premium C-SUV segment – triumphed in the New Energy Vehicle category at the 2023 Old Mutual Insure South African Car of the Year competition.
The all-new EX30 represents the cornerstone of Volvo’s global electrification growth ambitions, excelling in areas as varied as performance, efficiency, sustainability and safety. In 315 kW Twin Motor Performance guise, for instance, the newcomer is the fastest-accelerating Volvo ever, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in a mere 3.6 seconds. The extended-range version of the Single Motor (rear-wheel drive) powertrain, meanwhile, is capable of covering up to 480 km on the WLTP cycle.
The EX30’s imminent arrival will help to cement Volvo Car South Africa’s already formidable presence in the fast-growing new-energy vehicle space, while also significantly enhancing accessibility to electric cars for many South Africans. Local orders can be placed on the MyVolvo website.
