Volvo EX30 to Hit Indian Roads in 2025; Local Assembly Under Review

Volvo has made the announcement that it would bring its EX30 electric SUV to India by 2025. The model would be Volvo's most affordable electric SUV and targeted towards the budget segment in the luxury car space. Volvo also plans to produce the EX30 locally in India, something which might curb expenses and keep costs down for the consumers. The decision is in accordance with Volvo's plans to increase its electric vehicle offerings in India and compete within the emerging luxury EV market. Local assembly would also back India's efforts to see more electric vehicles on the road.

EX30 India Launch Plans

Volvo Cars India has announced that it plans to launch a new electric vehicle (EV) every year in India. The EX30 will be 2025 launch car. It would be the least expensive electric Volvo SUV, and it would also be their lowest-cost EV. Jyoti Malhotra, the Managing Director of Volvo Cars India, says the company is also examining the possibility of local assembly in India of the EX30. They are contemplating if it would make economic sense to produce it locally.

Why Local Assemble Matter?

Volvo is already producing other electric cars such as the C40 Recharge and EX40 in India. It also produces all its diesel and petrol models in India. Based on this experience, the company can also produce the EX30 in India. If the EX30 is produced by Volvo in India, it can reduce the cost of the SUV, and it would be more affordable. This would put the company in a better position to compete with other luxury EVs that are being sold in India.

What EX30 Will Look Like?

The EX30 will share the same design identity as other SUVs from Volvo. It will sport a shut grille and "Thor's Hammer" headlights, which are the most prominent company design features. The rear tail lamps will have a distinctive shape, similar to the recently unveiled ES90 sedan. The look is expected to give the EX30 a sporting and modern vibe.

Technology will take center stage in the EX30. The dashboard will be overwhelmed by the 12.3-inch touchscreen monitor, with the latter standing upright. Infotainment will be via Google software but also have the ability to receive Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. What this implies is that the EX30 will carry all the technology car drivers ever want in an electric vehicle.

Multiple Battery Options

The EX30 in other nations will feature other motor and battery capacities. The standard model will be equipped with a 271hp engine, along with a 51kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery. The range on full charge of the model will be 342km. The second higher-end model will have a 69kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery. The 69kWh will also be offered both as a single motor and as a dual motor. The single-motor variant will have a 474km range, and the dual-motor variant will produce more power (427hp).

We don't know yet what versions of the EX30 will be sold in India. But offering several different powertrains could make the EX30 an attractive option for many different kinds of customers.

Competition in the Luxury EV Segment

Competition in India's luxury electric vehicle market is increasing. There are already established players like BMW, Hyundai, and BYD in the Indian market with their electric vehicles such as the BMW iX1 LWB, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and BYD Seal. These vehicles come in the same segment as the EX30. If Volvo brings the EX30 to India as a locally made vehicle, then it can offer the vehicle competitively against such imported vehicles. Local assembly would cut costs, making the EX30 more affordable for Indian customers.

The Emerging EV Market in India

Indian government is encouraging more electric vehicles onto the roads with a vision of full electrification in the near future. That is to say, more and more people are seeking electric cars. Volvo is driving efforts to supply more EVs to India to meet that demand. The EX30, as a mass luxury EV, will appeal to the youth, green-conscious customers who will be upgrading to electric vehicles. These customers, otherwise known as "Gen-Y," will make up a large section of future automobile consumers in India.

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