The EX30, which will launch June 7 with orders and pre-orders in some regions, will have 25% lower lifespan carbon emissions than the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge EVs, which have enhanced efficiency for the 2024 model year.
The EX30, Volvo’s smallest vehicle, will use less steel and aluminum, the two most significant sources of production-related CO2 emissions, according to the carmaker. Volvo will recycle 25% of aluminum and 17% of steel. The EX30’s interior and bumper plastic is 17% recycled. That’s Volvo’s most recycled plastic in a production car. The interior uses recycled jeans, flax, and a wool blend with 70% recycled polyester.
Volvo is also addressing production energy use. The EX30 will be made in a factory with “high levels of climate-neutral energy, including 100% climate-neutral electricity,” according to the manufacturer. Volvo has also convinced 95% of EX30 Tier 1 suppliers to use 100% renewable energy by 2025. Volvo claims its production process has been optimized to maximize material consumption. The EX30 is 95% recyclable after its lifecycle. Volvo told Autocar that the EX30 would have two battery options—a 51-kwh lithium iron phosphate pack and a 69-kwh nickel manganese cobalt pack—but complete information won’t be revealed until next month. The U.S. may not offer both.
The EX30’s carbon footprint reduction contributes to Volvo’s target of reducing its carbon footprint by 40% by 2025 compared to 2018. That’ll lead to all-electric cars by 2030. All automaker’s U.S. models are electrified, but mild and plug-in hybrids dominate. Volvo and Polestar have established the standard for transparency and carbon footprint disclosure. Overall, EV lifetime CO2 is improving.
