Thailand's Electric Vehicle Market is Growing Rapidly, with the Volvo EX30 Making a Strong Debut.

Kevin WongMar 14, 2024, 05:44 PM

The Bangkok International Motor Show will be held from March 29 to April 7, 2024, at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Thailand. Volvo will exhibit several models including the XC90, XC60, XC40, S90, S60, S40, and C40 Recharge. Among them, the highlight will be the EX30, a fully electric vehicle and Volvo's smallest SUV model to date.

(Volvo's Car)

According to data from the Thai Electric Vehicle Association, as of October 1, 2023, the new car registration volume of pure electric vehicles (BEV) has increased from 20,816 in 2022 to 77,741 in 2023, which surpassed the 72,036 of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), making BEV the model with the highest increment in the Thai EV market.

(Growth in car registration)

However, due to the early market share of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), HEVs still rank first in the Thai electric vehicle registration volume with 330,771 units, followed by BEVs with 109,494 units, and lastly, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) with 52,677 units.

(Thailand's electric vehicle market distribution)

The Volvo EX 30 is priced at 1,590,000 Thai Baht in Thailand, and customers can place their orders through Volvo's Thai dealerships and Volvo's official website.

I. Introduction to Volvo EX 30

The car offers five color choices for the exterior: Cloud Blue, Onyx Black, Moss Yellow, Crystal White, and Vapour Grey, customers can choose their favorite color combinations.

(Car exterior colors)

Volvo's interior design adopts renewable and recyclable materials to express an environmentally friendly and energy-saving concept. Three styles are available: Breeze, Mist, and Indigo.

(Car interior colors)

In addition, this model is equipped with a square-designed steering wheel to enhance the driving experience. There are hidden compartments under the load floor and the hood, which can fold part or all of the backrest to increase loading capacity. The seats are ergonomically designed to reduce stress, hunchback, and shoulder injuries for passengers.

(Interior design)

The Volvo EX 30 is a high-performance electric vehicle, with a maximum range of up to 540 kilometers and a fast recharge time of 28 minutes from 10% to 80% of the battery capacity, which helps customers alleviate range anxiety. With only 15.7 kilowatt-hours of electricity per 100 kilometers, it saves travel costs. The acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds provides customers with a unique driving experience.

(Performance of the Car)

II. Charging issues

The Volvo EX 30 is a pure electric vehicle, and the most significant concern is its charging-related issues. According to official data, the estimated range of the Volvo EX 30 is 480 kilometers. However, the driving range will depend on various factors, such as the driving style, outdoor temperature, weather, wind, terrain, and road conditions. Power consumption for car functions such as heating and cooling also affects the driving range. By pre-treating the battery during charging to achieve the optimal temperature at the start of the journey, the driving range can be extended.

This model needs to be charged at a DC fast-charging station. Owners can use Google Maps on the central display screen or the Volvo EX30 app to find charging stations along their chosen routes.

(Charging stations on Google Maps)

As of September 30, 2023, the situation of charging stations in Thailand is as shown in the picture. (It does not include public charging stations that only serve specific electric car owners, such as Tesla Supercharger, MG Supercharger, etc.).