Image: Volvo
The compact Volvo EX30 is finally arriving in the US — and with it comes some more clarity about its price.
When it was first announced in 2023, the EX30 was positioned as a smaller, more affordable electric vehicle in a market overflowing with expensive, luxury models. And it seemed poised to win over a lot of converts, with a starting price of just $34,950.
At that time, the only other EVs available for a similar price were the utilitarian Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf. You could also find a few used EVs, or even a stripped down Tesla Model 3, but the idea of a luxuriously appointed (if bare bones) European model for just under $35,000 was unheard of.
But politics intervened, and Volvo was forced to delay the EX30’s arrival in the US until 2025, citing newly leveled tariffs against vehicles built in China. Volvo is a subsidiary of Geely, and many of its models, including the EX30, are built there. Volvo said it was moving the EX30’s production to its factory in Belgium to address the new restrictions.
Today, Volvo announced that the most popular trim of the EX30 is finally coming to the US. That would be the EX30 Twin Motor Performance with 422 horsepower, starting at $44,900 for the Plus equipment package (not including delivery charges). Upgrading to the Ultra package will cost $46,600.
That’s decidedly more than $34,950 — and unfortunately Volvo didn’t say when we can expect that more affordable version to arrive stateside. Given the political situation here, I can hardly blame Volvo for playing it close to the vest when it comes to EV sales in the US. The Trump administration is promising fewer incentives and more tariffs — both of which likely add up to higher prices for car shoppers.
Still, the EX30 has been a runaway hit in Europe, with Volvo recording over 100,000 sales of the pint-sized SUV. In August, that was only bested by the Tesla Model Y. It stands to reason that US customers will react similarly — once they get their hands on it.
Volvo has two other EVs in the US: the mid-sized EX40, which starts at $52,500 for the single-motor variant and goes all the way up $60,750 with all the bells and whistles; and the full-sized, three-row EX90, which starts at $79,995 and tops out at $89.845. Delivery charges bring these prices up by at least $1,000.