First impressions
It was the presidential inauguration, and everyone was glued to their screens. There was hope in the GNU, and South Africa hadn’t experienced load shedding in weeks. Excitement filled the air, and the country was buzzing with expectation. I was eager as I set off in Volvo’s electric baby, the EX30. It’s marketed as Volvo’s best-selling EV, and judging by the number of EX30s I’ve seen on Joburg’s roads, South Africans are definitely voting with their wallets. I’ve developed a curiosity for electric cars. I find them fascinating, and each one offers a chance to learn something new. You can’t blame my fellow South Africans for their fascination with the EX30 – it’s a real head- turner. Most importantly, it’s unmistakably a Volvo – modern and futuristic, yet still giving off that trustworthy feel. The baby blue exterior was particularly appealing. While I was excited, I also felt nervous – range anxiety always sets in when I have to drive an EV, especially for longer trips, like this one-hour drive from the farm to my home.
Interior
As soon as I got inside, I was struck by the clean design and grey interior. I have to admit, I wasn’t immediately impressed. In this compact SUV, technology is seamlessly integrated with design and functionality. The tablet-like screen houses most of the functions, now in digital form. Instead of feeling excited by the technology, I felt overwhelmed trying to find the familiar buttons. Worse, I couldn’t figure out how to start the car. After almost a minute of guessing, I turned to YouTube for help, where a video showed me exactly where the start button was.
The drive
In no time, I was on the road and impressed by the quality of the drive. On gravel roads, it glided smoothly, absorbing all the bumps. It handled the uneven tar roads and potholes just as easily, allowing me to enjoy a playlist of Makhadzi, courtesy of whoever had the car before me. On the road, it felt quick, with acceleration similar to a small sports car. The range was over 270km, so I had no concerns. Even the recycled grey fabric was growing on me – I finally understood what Volvo was aiming for. Over the next few days, I looked forward to driving, whether for the usual school run or something out of the ordinary.
My friend, a diehard Volvo fan who once owned the C30, was smitten with the EX30, even though she’s not into EVs yet. As we drove to Cyrildene on Johannesburg’s eastern side in search of a popular Chinese restaurant, she gave hilarious commentary on things she didn’t like, such as the grey ‘kitchen backsplash’ on the doors. Despite that, she loved the spacious interior and thoroughly enjoyed the drive. Aside from a few small criticisms, she adored the vehicle and was already calculating if she could afford to have it in her garage.
Despite the growing number of EVs on South Africa’s urban roads, the charging infrastructure is still lacking. On Sunday afternoon, I needed to recharge the EX30 for the next day. I went to the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, deliberately avoiding Melrose Arch as I didn’t want to spend four hours in a basement parking lot waiting for a full charge. Unfortunately, there was an issue at the hotel, and I was directed to an Audi dealership on Rivonia Road, which was already closed. After several phone calls, I was left with two options, both in shopping centre basement parking areas.
The options were slow charging at Melrose Arch or fast charging at Mall of Africa in Midrand. I had to choose between distance and time, and with a decent range left, I decided to drive to Midrand and spent the hour catching up with a friend. Overall, it was a memorable experience with the EX30, and I was sad to see it go.
Price: from R791 900
