Volvo is pulling the plug on its smallest and least costly EV this week. The automaker is winding down US-bound manufacturing and imports of the EX30 and EX30 Cross Nation over the approaching weeks, with the final examples wrapping up the 2026 mannequin yr on the finish of this summer season as a consequence of monetary and market issues. In different phrases, tariffs are up, and gross sales are down.
It is a robust time to be promoting EVs within the US proper now. Volvo joins a rising checklist of automakers reassessing or outright canceling their electrical automotive ambitions within the US as a consequence of market and political circumstances over the past yr. Earlier this yr, Chevrolet introduced that it might be ending manufacturing of its extremely anticipated Chevrolet Bolt revival after only one mannequin yr. Final week, Honda introduced the cancellation of its upcoming 0-Collection of US-built electrical vehicles earlier than even reaching manufacturing, and that is simply the tip of the iceberg.
The EX30’s arrival and brief keep within the US has been fraught with challenges. The small SUV was first introduced in 2023, billed as an inexpensive electrical choice beginning beneath $35,000. I used to be impressed by the EX30 throughout my first drive evaluation, calling it my most anticipated inexpensive EV of 2024. Volvo initially deliberate to maintain manufacturing prices down by constructing the EX30 in China, however Biden administration tariffs pressured the automaker to transfer manufacturing of US-bound examples to its plant in Ghent, Belgium.
By the point the EX30 arrived within the US, it was 1000’s of {dollars} greater than initially predicted.
Preproduction software program points additional delayed the EV’s restricted arrival to late 2024 with gross sales ramping up in early 2025 — simply in time to get hit by the Trump administration’s unpredictable new tariffs. Right now, the EX30 begins at $40,344 within the US, then climbs to simply shy of $50,000 for the dual-motor mannequin with the perfect tech — a troublesome promote for a subcompact SUV even at the perfect of occasions. In 2025, Volvo reported solely 5,409 EX30s bought within the US and a 60.5% lower in total electrified automobile gross sales versus 2024.
When reached for remark, a consultant from Volvo confirmed that, “Volvo Automotive USA has determined to finish gross sales of the EX30 and EX30 Cross Nation within the US market after the 2026 mannequin yr.”
The automaker tells me that the EX30 will stay accessible in world markets and can proceed to be imported and bought in Mexico and Canada. Just lately, Volvo’s flagship EX90 — which is constructed at Volvo’s South Carolina manufacturing unit — ceased 2026 mannequin yr exports to Canada, a sufferer of retaliatory counter tariffs aimed on the US. When requested how this shakeup will have an effect on its roadmap, a Volvo consultant informed CNET that the corporate’s purpose of a totally electrified world lineup by 2030 stays unchanged.
Volvo solely bought 5,409 EX30s in 2025.
“Volvo Automobiles’ dedication to electrification and our clients stays unchanged,” the consultant informed CNET, “and we stay up for persevering with to convey thrilling new electrified choices to our clients within the US, together with the all-new EX60 and upgraded EX90.”
In January, on the debut of the upcoming Volvo EX60, it was my skilled opinion that the brand new mid-range mannequin could be a make-or-break level for the model’s US ambitions after the tumultuous rollouts of its first two devoted EV fashions. With the EX30 quickly to be gone and in an more and more harmful market the place solely the strongest fashions survive, Volvo now finds itself in an much more perilous place.
