Volvo isn’t bringing its entry-level electric SUV, the EX30, to the United States market anytime soon. The manufacturer has blamed “changes in the global automotive landscape” (read: tariffs on Chinese-built EVs) for forcing it to delay sales on our shores until it can ramp up production at its Belgium plant. Unfortunately, the situation’s even worse in Europe where Volvo has already launched the EX30, though it’s perhaps wishing it hadn’t. Owners of the new compact electric SUV are reportedly facing so many issues that they’re returning their cars for full refunds, according to Autocar.
Most of the EX30’s problems are software-related, mainly pertaining to its central infotainment screen. Since the dashboard-mounted panel controls almost every aspect of the car, like in Tesla’s vehicles, many of the car’s functions stop when it decides to go black and stop responding. You can’t even open the EX30’s glove box without tapping an icon on the touchscreen. It’s unfortunately a common story for EVs, which tend to rely heavily on software-based functions. Similar issues plagued a few of GM’s newer Ultium vehicles, for example.
However, the EX30’s issues weren’t simply limited to its touchscreen. Customers were also reporting charging failures and random emergency braking system activations. While the former can leave you stranded, the latter can be flat-out dangerous.
“We recognize that this is not what they expect from their Volvo car, and we are working to remedy this as swiftly as possible with the minimum of inconvenience to our customers,” a Volvo rep told Autocar. The Drive has reached out to the automaker for comment and will update this story with whatever we may learn.
Volvo hasn’t put a stop-sale on the EX30, as they can still be found on dealership lots. However, it did pull the EX30 from its online configurator in the U.K., so customers can’t spec or order a new one. Volvo is working on software updates that should be able to fix these issues, patches that can likely be delivered over the air. At the moment, the company is set to release 2025 models on July 8, but it’s unclear if those new models will already feature updated software. As for prospective U.S. customers, between the tariff situation and these crippling glitches, it seems unlikely that we’ll see the EX30 arrive in America until the first quarter of 2025 at the earliest. A shame, given the SUV’s very attractive $37,000 base price.
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