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Volvo EC40 vs Volvo EX30
Selected trimSingle MotorChange trim300 mi · 70 kWh · £46,860
At a glance
In this comparison, Volvo EC40 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Volvo EX30 leads on value for money and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Volvo EC40 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Volvo EX30 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Volvo EC40 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueEX30
EC40
5.4
EX30
5.9
Motorway RangeEC40
EC40
3.7
EX30
2.7
FamilyEC40
EC40
6.8
EX30
5
ChargingEC40
EC40
7.1
EX30
5.7
Cost Per Mile
EC40
3.3
EX30
3
Too close to call
City DrivingEX30
EC40
4.9
EX30
6.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Volvo EC40
Single Motor
- 90 miles more WLTP range
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 1.8s quicker 0-62 mph
- 96 mm more rear legroom
- 500 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Volvo EC40Single Motor | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £46,860 | £33,060 (better) |
| Official range | 300 miles (better) | 209 miles |
| Boot space | 404 L (better) | 400 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 26 min | 26 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 9.1 sec |
Size Comparison
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Volvo EC40
Volvo EX30
Length
Volvo EC404,440mm
Volvo EX304,233mm-207mm
Width
Volvo EC401,873mm
Volvo EX301,838mm-35mm
Height
Volvo EC401,591mm
Volvo EX301,550mm-41mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Volvo EC40Single Motor | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,440 mm | 4,233 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,873 mm | 1,838 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,034 mm | 2,032 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,591 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | 11 m | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 527 mm spare | 562 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Volvo EC40Single Motor | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 917 mm (better) | 821 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 4 (better) | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 404 L (better) | 400 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1310 L (better) | 1000 L |
| Frunk | 31 L (better) | 7 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,500 kg (better) | 1,000 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Volvo EC40 Single Motor |  Volvo EX30 Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.44m | 4.23m-207mm |
| Width | 1.87m | 1.84m-35mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.03m | 2.03m-2mm |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.55m-41mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.65m-52mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 404L (better) | 400L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1310L (better) | 1000L |
| Frunk | 31L (better) | 7L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 917mm (better) | 821mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11m | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,065kg | 1,840kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg (better) | 1,000kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 70kWh (better) | 51kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 300 mi (better) | 209 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 200kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £46,860 | £33,060 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2024+ |
* Volvo EX30: 11 kW AC on Core and Plus; Ultra has a 22 kW on-board charger.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Volvo EC40Single Motor | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 300 miles (better) | 209 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 206 miles (better) | 149 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 200 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 167 Wh/km (better) | 169 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 70 kWh (better) | 51 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Volvo EC40Single Motor | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 9.1 sec |
| Power | 175 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 420 Nm (better) | 343 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Volvo EC40
Single Motor
Volvo EX30
Single Motor
7.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Parkers4.1/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Volvo EC40
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Volvo EC40 Single Motor
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant92%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist89%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Volvo EX30 Single Motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users79%
Safety Assist80%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Volvo EC40Single Motor | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Volvo EC40
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Volvo EX30
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Volvo EC40
No active listings.
Volvo EX30
- £26,1672024Car360View
- £27,5512025Car360View
- £23,4992024Browns of RichmondView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo EC40 worth the extra £13,800 over the Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EC40 costs £13,800 more than the Volvo EX30. For that premium it adds 90 miles more WLTP range, 50 kW faster peak rapid charging and a 1.8s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Volvo EC40 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Volvo EC40 or the Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is £13,800 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £184 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Volvo EX30 comes out roughly £13,800 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Volvo EC40 and Volvo EX30 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 206 miles for the Volvo EC40 and 149 miles for the Volvo EX30 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Volvo EC40 goes roughly 58 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 26-26 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Volvo EC40 or the Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 35 mm narrower than the Volvo EC40. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 562 mm of total clearance for the Volvo EX30 and about 527 mm of total clearance for the Volvo EC40.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Volvo EC40 or the Volvo EX30?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Volvo EC40 and 90% for the Volvo EX30. That gives the Volvo EX30 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Volvo EX30's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Volvo EC40's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Volvo EC40 comparisons
More Volvo EX30 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Volvo EC40 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Volvo EC40 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Volvo EC40 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Volvo EC40 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Volvo EC40 and Volvo EX30 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Volvo EC40 and Volvo EX30 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Volvo EX40 or EC40 (2024-on): Versions, the Braking Recall & What to Pay
A used Volvo EX40 and EC40 buyer’s guide: Single Motor, Extended Range and Twin Motor compared, real-world range, warranty left, the B-mode braking recall, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Volvo EX30 (2024 on): the Battery Recall, Which Version & What to Pay
A used Volvo EX30 buyer’s guide: the high-voltage battery recall and 70% charge cap, Single Motor vs Extended Range vs Twin Motor Performance, warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .