Volvo Cars presents the Volvo EX30, a small, fully electric SUV designed to meet the demands of the modern era, prioritizing safety and sustainability while leaving a smaller carbon footprint than any previous Volvo car.
At Volvo Cars, we understand that addressing emissions is not limited to the vehicle's operational phase alone. To significantly reduce the overall carbon footprint of the Volvo EX30 over a driving distance of 200,000 kilometres, we have implemented comprehensive measures across the entire production and lifecycle of the car.
As a result, the total carbon footprint of the EX30 has been reduced to below 30 tonnes, marking a 25 per cent reduction compared to our fully electric C40 and XC40 models. This achievement is a significant step towards our goal of reducing our overall CO2 emissions per car by 40 per cent in 2025 from 2018 levels...
The transition to a fully electric vehicle has enabled the Volvo EX30 to have zero tailpipe emissions, making a positive impact on both CO2 footprint and air quality.
Going further than making cars electric
However, achieving sustainability goes beyond electrification. Every step of a car's life cycle, from design to production and transportation, presents opportunities to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Anders Kärrberg, our global head of sustainability, expresses his optimism, stating, "Our new EX30 is a big step in the right direction for our sustainability ambitions.
By 2025, we aim to reduce our overall CO2 emissions per car by 40 per cent from 2018 levels through a 50 percent reduction in overall tailpipe emissions and a 25 percent reduction in emissions from our operations, raw material sourcing, and supply chain. These efforts align with our ultimate vision of becoming a climate-neutral company by 2040."
To create a more sustainable vehicle, we have focused on minimizing material usage. The compact design of the EX30 requires less material, especially aluminium and steel, which are major contributors to production-related CO2 emissions.
Moreover, a significant proportion of these materials used in the EX30 are recycled. Around a quarter of the aluminium and approximately 17% of the steel used in the car's construction are sourced from recycled content, further reducing the environmental impact.
Internally, our designers have adopted an optimization-driven sustainable design principle, enabling the combination of multiple functions within a single component. This approach reduces the number of parts required without compromising functionality.
Additionally, the materials used in the Volvo EX30 contribute to a more sustainable manufacturing process. About 17% of the car's plastics, including interior components and exterior bumpers, are made from recycled materials, marking the highest percentage in any Volvo car to date.
Addressing emissions in the manufacturing and supply chain stages is vital. The Volvo EX30 will be produced in a factory powered by high levels of climate-neutral energy, including 100 per cent climate-neutral electricity.
Our Tier 1 suppliers, responsible for key components, are committed to using 100 per cent renewable energy in their production by 2025, with many already achieving this target. This collaborative effort ensures that emission reduction extends beyond our own operations, influencing our wider supply chain.
In terms of production efficiency, the manufacturing process for the Volvo EX30 has been streamlined in multiple ways, resulting in one of the highest rates of material utilization in stamped body parts. Additionally, we have implemented blockchain technology to enhance material traceability, particularly for battery pack production, ensuring responsible sourcing of critical raw materials such as lithium, manganese, cobalt, graphite, and nickel.
Sustainability inside and out
Inside the Volvo EX30, a wide array of recycled and renewable materials is utilized for the seats, dashboard, and doors. Innovative choices such as denim, flax, and a wool-blend containing around 70% recycled polyester contribute to a smarter and more sustainable approach to material usage.
Our use of denim demonstrates a creative solution to material waste. Fibres that would otherwise be discarded during the denim recycling process are repurposed and incorporated into the Volvo EX30's interior decoration.
The Volvo EX30 has a cradle-to-gate CO2 impact estimated at 18 tonnes, encompassing the entire lifecycle from raw material extraction to the vehicle's arrival at the dealership, prior to being driven. Furthermore, the car is designed for end-of-life recovery, with 95% of materials being recyclable, and any remaining waste used to generate energy.
Setting a new benchmark
In conclusion, the Volvo EX30 empowers customers to downsize their carbon footprint without compromising on safety, driving comfort, or convenience. This exceptional vehicle embodies Volvo Cars’ commitment to sustainability and signifies a significant step toward our mission of creating a safer and cleaner future.
The Volvo EX30 was unveiled on June 7th and is available for ordering or pre-ordering in select markets (see below for more information)
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44 w
A small step in the right direction, but still too expensive and far from the small cheap electric cars people in general can and will buy! Such vehicles are produced and sold in millions in China and Japan. Why not in Europe?
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45 w
Interesting, and it's great to see that you are looking at the whole lifecycle of the product. Will you also promote leasing and renting the SUV instead of owning it? Which are way more sustainable practices :)
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45 w
Vouching for volvo al the way
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45 w
Volvo's R&D departament are doing well on EVs
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45 w
This is great to hear about Volvo Cars' sustainable journey. But in my opinion, SUVs (even electric ones) are still an ecological aberration: big cars, using lots of space (on the road and when parked), using a lot of materials to product. Wouldn't it be better to just promote smaller vehicles?
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45 w
@marine_stephan great question! Would love to see what Volvo has to say :)
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@marine_stephan Not as profitable per unit sold (that’s why all car manufacturers are forced to produce bigger products) 😉. And yes (as a battery professional working with sustainability) electric SUVs are obviously not sustainable. Even when its weight is 1.8t. Its consumption will be higher than a Tesla long range (roughly same weight better aerodynamism). So yes more electricity more materials more minerals. Volvo makes us believe that more is green(washing).
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44 w
@thomas_grdr Smaller and much cheaper electric cars are built and sold in millions in China and Japan. Why not in Europe?