Solving BEV issues and challenging further possibilities

A new BEV has been released from Volvo. BEV is an abbreviation for “battery EV” and refers to a car that runs 100% on electricity. They have previously released similar models such as the C40 Recharge and the XC40 Recharge, so this is their third model. As the manufacturer aims to make all models BEV by 2030, it is obvious that the lineup will further expand in the future.
However, the EX30 is definitely different from the previous two models. The point is that it uses a BEV-specific platform. The platform is the foundation of the car. The C2 Recharge and XC40 Recharge share this with the gasoline engine, so the difference is huge. In other words, the upcoming EX40 is the core of the new generation of Volvo, and it is thought that BEVs using this car's platform will be widely deployed from now on.

The reason why Volvo is so particular about BEVs is because of the country's characteristics of Sweden. This is a Nordic way of thinking where nature and humans coexist. We have no choice but to be cautious because carbon dioxide emissions directly lead to the destruction of our own country's environment. Moreover, it has recently been pointed out that BEVs use a lot of fossil fuel in the manufacturing process, and Volvo is paying close attention to this as well. The company is partnering with a steel manufacturer in the country to jointly develop high-quality steel that does not use fossil fuels. Efforts are also being made to increase the use of recycled materials and reduce water consumption per vehicle. As a result, the EX30 has achieved the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of any Volvo car to date.

Attracted by the compact, simple and modern design

Although the EX30 has such a background, we must not forget that the design is also a characteristic of this car. The so-called "Scandinavian design" has a simple yet warm form. The iconic Thor Hammer LED and grillless front mask also look like this. Personally, I liked the frameless door mirrors. It gives the impression of modern furniture while maintaining functionality. It looks stylish together with the frameless room mirror that was adopted earlier.

The interior also follows this trend. The center monitor and dashboard, which look like gadgets propped up, have a minimalist finish with no unnecessary elements. It shows good taste in its simplicity. The same goes for the seats, both of which have a warm feel to them both in shape and material. The material is a clever combination of natural and recycled materials, making it breathable. Summers are cool and winters are warm. It's also good that there is a little trick in the center console. It is movable and can be used in several storage patterns.

There is only one grade, and it is a RWD model with 272ps that drives the rear tires. The price is 559 million yen. It varies depending on the local government, but with subsidies, you can buy it for hundreds of thousands of yen. However, there is a possibility that new grades will be introduced in the future. We may see an entry-level version with a little less power, or a high-power AWD version with front and rear motors.

In any case, it is certainly relatively reasonable among imported cars and its size is easy to handle. If you are thinking of purchasing BEV in that sense, there is a high possibility that it will be high on your shopping list. When I actually drove it, the ride was comfortable and I had no complaints about the acceleration. In addition, the parking in the service area allows for tight turns, so I was able to park without stress. It will be a smooth transition from a domestically produced compact car.

That's my impression of the new EX30. This is true of environmental protection, but since Sweden promotes the design industry as a national policy, its quality is high. I'm sure there will be a good response from people involved in the design industry and creative work in Japan as well. The image that comes to mind is a gentle user who is also interested in environmental issues.

Tatsuya Kushima

Motor journalist and columnist. Currently, he is the media site editor-in-chief and media business producer for the surfing magazine "NALU." She has previously served as editor-in-chief of many men's magazines, golf magazines, car magazines, airline in-flight magazines, etc. In addition to media activities, he is a member of the Japan Car of the Year selection committee, a member of the Japan Cigar Association, a Japan Boat of the Year selection committee, and the creative director of men's golf wear ``The Duke's Golf.''