The small but mighty Volvo EX30 has added another award to its growing list of accolades, acclaimed as ‘Eco Warrior of the Year’ in the TopGear.com Awards 2023.
Announced at a presentation in London yesterday evening, the honour recognises the far-reaching efforts invested in giving the EX30 compact SUV the smallest carbon footprint of any Volvo car to date.
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Jack Rix, Top Gear Editor in Chief, said: “This award isn’t simply because the EX30 is a handsome, compact electric car that’s well priced with decent range. That’s not enough these days. The hard part in reducing your carbon footprint is tackling it at source – manufacturing – and Volvo has done that better than anyone else. So by the time your three-year PCP runs out, it’s in the clear versus a petrol XC40, and that advantage will accelerate as the grid gets more renewable. It’s not glamourous, but it’s the stuff that counts.”
Going far beyond the issue of tailpipe emissions, Volvo has scrutinised every aspect of the car’s lifecycle to achieve carbon savings, from materials sourcing, supply chain and manufacturing processes to ultimate end-of-life disposal. The EX30 makes unprecedented and widespread use of recycled and renewable materials in its construction, from aluminium for the bodywork to plastics from sources as diverse as window frames and drinks bottles. Interior textiles feature woven flax, a fibre derived from linseed plants, and recycled denim and polyester to create upholsteries and trims that lack none of the premium quality or sensory appeal expected of a Volvo. Intelligent design plays its part, too, with multiple functions provided by single components, reducing the amount of material and wiring required.
Nicole Melillo Shaw, Volvo Car UK Managing Director, said: “We recognise the critical importance of taking the widest view possible when it comes to cutting carbon and maximising sustainability. This award is great recognition of the value of our approach and our commitment as a global business to securing genuine carbon neutrality, and of the EX30’s fantastic sustainable design.”
The EX30 is a key model in Volvo Cars’ ambitious electrification strategy for 50% of its global new car sales to be fully electric by the middle of the decade, en route to 100% by 2030. Available to order now, it offers a driving range of up to 296 miles and a DC fast-charging time of just 26 minutes (10 to 80% battery charge). Customers can choose from multiple ownership options – leasing, PCP, subscription and outright purchase.
