GoKawiilDid you know the average new vehicle in the US grew an inch (25 mm) wider and 22 inches (558 mm) longer between 2013 and 2023? That’s probably obvious to anyone who steps foot outside these days, and it’s a trend that we ought to reverse. Bigger cars might make their occupants feel more secure, but they invariably need more energy to get where they’re going. And with f=ma being what it is, bigger vehicles tend to leave a lasting and deleterious effect on anything unlucky enough to be the other party in a collision. That makes today’s tale a rather bittersweet one, because the Volvo EX30 could be the perfect antidote.
It’s a compact and efficient electric crossover with a tiny carbon footprint but no compromises on safety, and it would be perfect for the current moment, except that Volvo recently decided to stop importing the car to the US. With the order books now closed, once the ~1,200-odd cars left in inventory are gone, they’re gone.
After teasing us for a while, Volvo finally showed off the EX30 for real in 2023. At the time, the headline news was its price: $34,950 for the rear-wheel drive version before any tax credit. That would have made it one of the cheaper EVs available for sale in the US, but with Volvo’s premium badge attached. That was before geopolitics got involved.
Jonathan Gitlin Among the changes from the regular EX30 is this black fascia with embossed topology. Among the changes from the regular EX30 is this black fascia with embossed topology. Jonathan Gitlin Jonathan Gitlin By anyone’s standards this is a compact EV. By anyone’s standards this is a compact EV. Jonathan Gitlin Jonathan Gitlin Its small size makes it simple to live with. Its small size makes it simple to live with. Jonathan Gitlin By anyone’s standards this is a compact EV. Jonathan Gitlin Its small size makes it simple to live with. Jonathan Gitlin
Its diminutive purchase price was predicated on being cheap to manufacture in Zhangjiakou, China. However, heavy tariffs on Chinese-made cars were levied by the Biden administration in 2024, then by the Trump administration the following year, causing Volvo to delay imports while it instead shifted production of US-destined cars to its factory in Ghent, Belgium.
However, European-made cars are still subject to a 25 percent tariff, which jacked up the starting price of the EX30 to $40,345 (including destination charge) for the rear-wheel drive version, or $46,345 for the twin-motor all-wheel drive version.