WeeklySA_AdminDriven: Caution is advised: the addictive Volvo EX30 can be as slippery as fish in the water…
By Ali Mphaki
Shhh… I have to say this. Take me to a rehab facility if you must. I am fast becoming a junkie for electric mobility. No longer is the vrrrphah of an V8 engine ear-gasmic. Lately the sonorous grunt emanating from a four pipped auto sounds has begun to sound more like an out-of-tune Barry White.
Noise pollution, if you like. As for those Arab toxic waters ( petrol and diesel), I long stopped trying to keep up with their yoyo-like prices. Its become an exercise in futility, akin to the mythical Sisyphian pushing a boulder uphill only for it to roll down.
The smell of fuel nauseates as it hits my nostrils acutely making want to puke. Apart from it being the most expensive place to visit lately, the sight of a filling station just depresses me.
Thing is living with electricity and driving an EV is like reaching a personal Damascus. Everything and anything less seems archaic and “back to the future”.
The power of electricity has the effect of that beer advert which goes: “Once you go black, you can never go back” Briefly consider my personal journey for a moment; I sleep with an electric blanket (when so and so is rarely away). I drive an electric vehicle. My brother is an electrician. My “favourite’ minister is Kgosientsho the one giving his weekly briefings about the state of our unstable grid.
I also happen to live in an area zoned for what is called ‘load reduction’ despite the much publicised 150 days without loadshedding.
My world and yours revolves around ugesi. I just can’t help it! I am a victim of circumstance.
Pity electricity rather EVs inequality is a reality. Many are called to join the global drive towards a carbon-free mobility globally, but only a few in Africa (for a considerable time) will be chosen!
These and other thoughts criss-crossed my mind as I sat behind the wheel of the 2024 Volvo EX30 which we had for test recently. Our test vehicle with rear-drive hardware was received with its added panoramic sunroof, additional driver assistance features (rear AEB, and automatic parking), a 360-degree camera and more interior goodies (power and heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and tinted rear windows) in the mix.
Keyless entry and pleasantly welcoming you on board is a commanding 12.3-inch LCD touch screen – the only item on the dashboard. Warm and welcoming fabric seats and an upcycled plastic helps keep the EX30’s cabin interesting and multi-dimensional. Drive is by using the column shift and things like wipers, high-beam and basic driver assistance and audio functions (features a Harman Kardon system) from the steering wheel.
Nearly every function is controlled via the screen. Forget for a moment its cheetah-like speed prowess, but what impressed us further was its safety driving habits. For instance in a 60km zone, it informs you by flashing the area’s speed limit on the top of the infotainment display.
When you reach the 100km/h speed, if you holding the steering wheel with one hand it vibrates vigorously, a wake up call to alert you to be more cautious. On the screen you can also see car mojis showing the number of vehicles behind and those approaching on the other lane. Lane assist helps keep the vehicle firmly on the road, though with some oversteer.
Volvo says the EX30 is capable of a 400km range when fully charged. My experience however was a tad less than 350km (most probably because of my driving style). I also did not want the vehicle’s battery to reach the 0-level before charging.
Full charging takes almost 45 minutes, but be prepared for an hour. If charging from home using the Eskom grid (no prepaid this time) Volvo says it could take up to eight hours to be fully charged.
Volvo is on record to be a carbon-free automaker by 2030, and with the EX30 their aim to make electric mobility more accessible and appealing to a wider audience seems to be on the right course.
The Volvo EX30’s compact size, attractive design, and range of options works for it, even though with a starting price of around R779 000 I could detect some grinding noises about its affordability.
Shhhh… What Volvo SA, however, hopes you forget in a hurry and not be reminded is that the pocket rocket Volvo EX30 holds the dubious record of being the first electric vehicle to be involved in an accident in South Africa.- just less than three months in the country.
Incongruous, you may say, since Volvo is reputed to be one of the safest cars in the world… Since there were no fatalities one can perhaps safely say the crash was Volvo EX30 signifying its entry into the South African market with a loud bang!
No doubt the EX30 is definitely is an exciting electric proposition, although I personally would advice for an advanced driving course before you buy one.
Many have begun opening their wallets to snatch the Volvo EX30 from shopfloors, sales of the last quarter showing the EX30 as the highest sold EV in the country.
Think of it as an iron fist in a velvet glove. And like a gun, it is not the weapon but the person behind it.
VITAL STATISTICS
2024 Volvo EX30 Single Motor Ultra
Seats Five
Boot volume 318L seats up
904L seats folded
71L under bonnet
Length 4233mm
Width 1836mm
Height 1549mm
Wheelbase 2650mm
