the new EX30 model will be truly special

The small electric SUV’s total carbon footprint over 200,000 km of driving will be less than 30 metric tons.

Volvo’s first small SUV will also be the greenest electric vehicle to date.

Since announcing in 2019 that it wants to become a climate-neutral company by 2040, Volvo Cars has been looking for ways to reduce its life-cycle carbon footprint.

By tackling emissions throughout the EX30’s entire production and life cycle, Volvo has reduced the small SUV’s total carbon footprint over 200,000km of driving to less than 30 metric tonnes.

This is 25% below the carbon footprint of the C40 and XC40 electric vehicles.

Volvo aims to reduce total CO2 emissions per car by 40% to 31.8 tonnes of CO2 per car by 2025, from 53 tonnes in 2018.

“Our new EX30 is a big step in the right direction for our sustainability ambitions,” said Anders Kärrberg, Volvo’s Global Head of Sustainability.

Volvo has reduced the EX30’s CO2 footprint by using less steel and aluminum – this came naturally as it is the smallest car in the range – however, to maximize the reductions, around a quarter of the EX30’s aluminum is recycled, while that approximately 17% of aluminum steel is recycled.

Volvo is reducing its CO2 footprint

In addition, approximately 17% of all plastics in the car, from interior components to exterior bumpers, are recycled – the highest percentage of any Volvo car to date.

The Volvo EX30 will be built in Zhangjiakou, China, in a factory powered primarily by climate-neutral energy, including 100 percent climate-neutral electricity, Volvo said, adding that 95 percent of Tier 1 suppliers of the SUV have committed to using 100% renewable energy in their production by 2025.

Volvo also said the EX30’s so-called CO2 impact is estimated at 18 metric tons, compared to 26.5 tons for the C40.

Cradle-to-gate describes the CO2 impact from the extraction of raw materials to the finished car arriving at the dealer, i.e. before it is driven.

Volvo said last week its entry-level electric SUV will be the Swedish automaker’s first model to offer a safety solution aimed at preventing fatal crashes with cyclists.

The EX30, which will make its world debut on June 7 in Milan, Italy, will give a door open alert, warning people inside the car with visual and audio signals if they are about to open the door in front of a passing cyclist or another user traffic.

The system will be part of the EX30’s standard safety equipment.