Volvo Postpones US Arrival of Highly Anticipated EX30 EV… Again [CNET]

US deliveries of the affordable electric SUV will be delayed again while Volvo shifts production to avoid rising tariffs on Chinese-built EVs.

After my glowing first drive, Volvo’s upcoming EX30 became my most anticipated new EV for 2024. In my own words, it’s “an EV value that’s worth the wait.” Unfortunately, it looks like prospective owners and reservation holders will have to wait a bit longer to get their turn behind the wheel. Deliveries have been delayed into 2025 as the automaker shifts production of the affordable compact electric SUV from China to its plant in Ghent, Belgium, in reaction to rising tariffs on Chinese-built EVs.

The EX30 impressed me during my early pre-production drive with its excellent performance and its clever use of sustainable materials to create a premium feeling, yet minimalist interior. Plus, I was eager to see how Volvo’s estimates of up to 275-ish miles of range at a starting price below $40k translated into reality. Back in January, the EX30 hit its first stumbling block when the automaker pushed expected deliveries to late 2024 while it ironed out software issues. 

On Wednesday, the automaker informed retailers and EX30 preorder customers that “the US introduction of the EX30 will be delayed with a 2025 target delivery date to be announced,” according to a spokesperson from Volvo. Volvo’s original plan was to begin global EX30 production in China before adding additional production starting in 2025 at its Belgian facility to meet the needs of European buyers. However, the Biden administration’s new 100% tariff on Chinese-built electric cars has made the EX30’s low price tag unrealistic and forced Volvo to scramble that roadmap, bringing the Ghent factory online earlier than anticipated and ramping up production estimates for that plant to accommodate US-bound vehicles.

The EX30 was poised to pounce on the affordable EV throne recently abdicated by the late Chevrolet Bolt EV. The delays mean that by the time Volvo’s contender reaches US buyers, it may have to compete with the next-generation Bolt and affordable newcomers like Kia’s EV3.

Despite the setbacks, Volvo says the EX30 is still extremely important to the brand’s EV roadmap for North America. “Importantly, we remain committed to bringing EX30 to the US and are working hard to get it into customer hands,” a Volvo representative told CNET in an email. “The EX30 remains a cornerstone of Volvo Cars’ ongoing strategic transformation and reflects our ambition to build cars where we sell them as much as possible.”

Speaking of building cars where you sell ’em, Volvo’s larger EX90 electric flagship SUV has also seen its share of roadblocks and delays but finally began production earlier this month at the automaker’s Charleston, South Carolina factory with the first example expected to reach American drivers later this year.