Is the Volvo EX30 capable of galvanising motorists, especially among the younger demographic, to switch to electric vehicles (EVs)?
This is a pertinent question, especially given the lukewarm local market reception for predecessors such as the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3.
The EX30 is a strong contender in the sub-R1m EV category, alongside rivals such as the Mini Cooper SE Hatch, BYD Atto 3, GWM Ora 03 and EVA City Blitz.
The number of EVs coming to South Africa is steadily increasing. At least eight new models are expected in 2024. According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), EV sales in South Africa more than doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year. Sales of new-energy vehicles from 18 industry brands increased by 100.7% between the first quarter of 2023 and the second quarter.
With its sleek Scandinavian design and petite dimensions, the EX30 promises to capture the hearts of younger South Africans, especially those who are drawn to urban living.
As I witnessed first-hand during a visit to the Thaba Echo Village Lifestyle Centre incJohannesburg South, the EX30 attracted a lot of attention from young couples and professionals. They appeared intrigued by its modern aesthetics and 100% electric drive.
A common concern for potential buyers was the availability of the charging infrastructure. A young professional was overheard asking: “Where can I charge the car in my neighbourhood in Joburg South?”
That concern is being addressed, EV experts say. With initiatives such as GridCars’ nationwide network of over 350 charging points for EVs, the accessibility of charging facilities is steadily improving. EV manufacturers such as Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz are building more charging stations.
Besides, there is a dual GridCars’ charging station at Mall of the South, only 1.9km from Thaba Eco Village where potential buyers were marvelling at the EX30.
Given the load-shedding issues South Africa faces, building a charging infrastructure that is aligned with renewable energy sources is imperative.
As I left the Thaba Eco Village to drive home, I wondered if the EX30 would appeal to a younger clientele, the Gen Z and millennials.
When I took delivery of the EX30, it had about 320km on the odometer. I was curious about its capabilities and undertook a five-day test drive, simulating a daily drive from Thaba Eco Village to Sandton City, covering a distance of 29km each way. Remarkably, after a week of driving, the car had only used up 290km of its range, leaving me with 30km to go. I then drove to Mall of the South to fully charge the car, which increased the range to close to 460km.
It seems that with an entry-level price of just less than R1m, the EX30 represents a paradigm shift in the South African electric car market, offering an appealing blend of affordability, style and practicality
During my five-day test drive, the EX30 demonstrated impressive efficiency with minimal battery drain.
There is no doubt the EX30 is a compact luxury car designed for today’s urban lifestyle. Many young people, especially millennials and Gen Z, are attracted to urban living.
I believe the EX30's compact dimensions make it ideal for manoeuvring through city streets and finding a parking space in densely populated urban areas. In addition, Volvo’s reputation for prioritising safety increases its appeal, particularly to safety-conscious individuals and parents considering it for transporting their children. The car comes with a state-of-the-art driver alert system as standard, prioritising your safety even when you're not in your optimum alert state.
In addition to the traditional hands-on detection in the steering wheel, the vehicle has a special sensor behind the steering wheel. This sensor uses advanced algorithms that monitor eye and facial movements at a remarkable rate of about 13 times per second. In this way, the EX30 can recognise signs of distraction, drowsiness or other forms of inattention, and proactively assist the driver before they even realise the need for it.
It seems that with an entry-level price of just less than R1m, the EX30 represents a paradigm shift in the South African electric car market, offering an appealing blend of affordability, style and practicality.
Ultimately, car manufacturers are addressing the challenge of load-shedding in the country by installing EV charging stations in shopping centres equipped with power backup systems such as solar panels and generators.
With initiatives like these, EVs such as the EX30 are likely to become a permanent fixture on our roads.
However, the EX30 may encounter strong competition from Chinese carmakers aiming at the South African market with budget-friendly EVs. I anticipate they will arrive sooner to invigorate competition in the industry.
• Lourie is the founder and editor of Tech Financials. The vehicle he test-drove was sponsored by Volvo
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