Volvo is pulling the plug on its smallest and least expensive EV this week. The automaker is winding down US-bound manufacturing and imports of the EX30 and EX30 Cross Country over the approaching weeks, with the final examples wrapping up the 2026 mannequin yr on the finish of this summer time because of monetary and market issues. In different phrases, tariffs are up, and gross sales are down.
It is a powerful time to be promoting EVs within the US proper now. Volvo joins a rising checklist of automakers reassessing or outright canceling their electrical automobile ambitions within the US because of market and political circumstances over the past yr. Earlier this yr, Chevrolet introduced that it will be ending manufacturing of its highly anticipated Chevrolet Bolt revival after only one mannequin yr. Final week, Honda introduced the cancellation of its upcoming 0-Series of US-built electrical automobiles 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 announced in 2023, billed as an reasonably priced electrical choice beginning beneath $35,000. I used to be impressed by the EX30 throughout my first drive review, calling it my most anticipated reasonably priced EV of 2024. Volvo initially deliberate to maintain manufacturing prices down by constructing the EX30 in China, however Biden administration tariffs compelled the automaker to move production of US-bound examples to its plant in Ghent, Belgium.
By the point the EX30 arrived within the US, it was hundreds 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 this moment, the EX30 begins at $40,344 within the US, then climbs to simply shy of $50,000 for the dual-motor mannequin with one of the best tech — a tricky promote for a subcompact SUV even at one of the best of occasions. In 2025, Volvo reported solely 5,409 EX30s offered within the US and a 60.5% lower in general electrified automobile gross sales versus 2024.
When reached for remark, a consultant from Volvo confirmed that, “Volvo Automobile 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 international markets and can proceed to be imported and offered in Mexico and Canada. 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 advised CNET that the corporate’s aim of a completely electrified international lineup by 2030 stays unchanged.
Volvo solely offered 5,409 EX30s in 2025.
“Volvo Vehicles’ dedication to electrification and our prospects stays unchanged,” the consultant advised CNET, “and we stay up for persevering with to carry thrilling new electrified choices to our prospects 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.
