Striking a neat balance between pleasingly brisk performance and useful operating range, the middle child of the EX30 range is the one to go for…
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Volvo EX30 Plus Single Motor Fast Facts
- Price: R968 400
- 0-100 km/h: 5.74 seconds
- Top speed: 180 km/h
- Power: 200 kW
- Torque: 373 N.m
- Claimed range: 478 km
When we tested the EX30 Twin Motor in our June 2024 issue, we walked away duly impressed by its combination of decent operating range (460 km) and off-the-line acceleration capable of rearranging one’s internal anatomy. But while such shenanigans were fun, it was the Single Motor models – more specifically, the extended range variant – that we were especially keen to sample. And it’s been worth the wait.
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On the surface there’s little to discern the ‘lesser’ EX30 from its Twin Motor sibling; the styling is still suitably futuristic and the cabin – with its 12.3-inch central infotainment screen and swathes of tactile recycled materials – retains its sense of occasion. We’re still not talking about the most practical car on the market. While the cabin’s minimalistic aesthetics and glass roof do lend it a welcome airiness, the EX30 is still a little bigger than a B-segment crossover with limited rear legroom and a modest boot (192 litres) worth of luggage space. On a positive note, the tailgate (electrically operated on Plus and Ultra derivatives) opens tall, the luggage floor is adjustable between two levels, and the 60:40-split rear passenger backrest frees up some handy utility space. In all, though, we appreciate the EX30’s approach to EV motoring: going for the whole ‘driving something from the future’ experience instead of disguising an EV as something more familiar to most drivers. Yes, there are aspects that require some getting used to; the central infotainment system initially appears dauntingly function-packed, but its Google-based operating system means it’s akin to operating a giant smartphone, and the driver monitoring system, although ready to chastise any distractedness, isn’t as pernickety as some of the systems we’ve encountered of late.
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Performance-wise, it obviously can’t hold a candle to the outrageously quick Twin Motor model, but it’s still far brisker than most cars in its bracket. Here, the rear axle-mounted synchronous electric motor develops 200 kW and a more-than-ample 373 N.m of torque, the latter available from just 118 r/min. Coupled with a 69-kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese battery, Volvo claims that this unit is good for 476 km. Our index figure showed a decidedly more modest range of just over 323 km, taking into account an average energy consumption figure of 21 kWh/100 km, but our testing unearthed a far more respectable 16.7 kWh/100 km: lower than Volvo’s 17.5 claim and translating to an overall driving range of just over 380 km. Further time spent with the test unit, appreciating the ease of single-pedal driving (and resisting the ever-present urge to indulge in the burst of instant acceleration that’s only two seconds off that of the Twin Motor’s 0-100 km/h dash time and even closer in our increment-phased acceleration testing) saw a figure of more than 400 km flash up on the trip computer on more than one occasion. Operating range aside, the questions most often asked of the EX30 often regard the time and costs involved in charging its battery. In the case of the former, opting for DC fast charging can see you go from 10 to 80% charge from a 150-kW point in around half an hour. That convenience does come at a price, though, as at R7 per kW a full charge will set you back about R450 compared with the 8 hours at around R3.50 (around R240 for a full charge) when using a three-phase home charger, or arduous 21 hours from a standard wall socket.
In the face of governments worldwide paring back, or altogether withdrawing, EV ownership incentives, Volvo’s South African arm is running an initiative that will add a great deal of appeal to its all-electric models such as the EX30, XC40 Recharge and C40. It includes a R12 000 voucher for use at Gridcars charging facilities that’s valid for 24 months, a R7 500 allowance towards a Gridcars wallbox home installation and a Vodacom MiFi router with 10 GB of data per month for 36 months (a boon that allows you to make full use of the functions within those EVs’ Google-based infotainment systems.
While the novelty of the Twin Motor’s performance car-shaming straight-line pace has its appeal, the Single Motor Extended Range model’s entirely achievable 400 km operating range and performance that’s more than brisk enough for most folks’ requirements makes it the pick of the EX30 litter.
Find the full feature in the May 2025 issue of CAR Magazine.
