CHIC CARGO (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Volvo's first van is the EX30 Cargo. Jonathan Crouch takes a look...

Ten Second Reviewword count: 35

For the first time, Volvo brings us a van - in the shape of this EX30 Cargo. Changes over the ordinary electric passenger hatch model are slight but just enough to justify the LCV tag.

Backgroundword count: 114

We've not seen too many stranger things than a Volvo van but that's what's on offer here in the shape of the EX30 Cargo. It is of course merely a version of the EX30 electric hatch with the rear seats removed. And it's been created very much as an exploratory exercise by Volvo to see what the appetite might be for a small electric LCV bearing the Gothenburg maker's famous badge. Lots of more mainstream marques have recently tried this trick with their strongest selling EVs, including Dacia, BYD, Skoda and Ford. But this is the first time a more premium maker has seen fit to bring us an LCV. Let's take a look.

Driving Experienceword count: 215

Predictably, the Cargo uses the same powertrains as the passenger model. So there's an entry-level single motor P3 powertrain that develops 150hp. Or a 272hp single motor P5 powertrain, which takes just 5.3s to dispatch the 0-62mph sprint. Rarer will be the powerful Twin Motor P8 AWD version with 428hp, enough to storm a P8 EX30 Cargo to 62mph in just 3.6s. You'll want to know about driving range. There's a base 51kWh battery available with the P5, but most will want the larger Extended Range 69kWh Long Range battery, offering up to 295 miles between charges and available with all three powertrains. Volvo also offers the EX30 Cargo in rugged-ised 'Cross Country' form with a higher ride height. Whatever kind of EX30 Cargo you choose, under the skin lies the most compact version of the Geely Group's 'SEA' 'Scalable Experience Architecture' platform, engineered here to produce a well-judged standard of ride. Body roll's well resisted too, which might have made for an engaging confection were it not for the rather lifeless steering. There aren't any provided drive modes, nor are there the steering wheel paddleshifters to control brake regeneration that some other competitors offer. Just a 'One Pedal Drive' setting activated via the centre screen - and even that doesn't slow you particularly fiercely.

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