Volvo Car UK turns EX30 into electric cargo-mover

Quick look

• Reviving the 1950s Duett concept, Volvo’s UK subsidiary offers an EX30 conversion to a cargo-carrier 2-seat commercial van with a 1,000-litre cargo bay.

• Like the standard EX30, there’s a choice of 3 fully electric drivetrains, including one with AWD.

Volvo Cars are known for their premium passenger vehicles, including SUVs, today but in the 1950s and 1960s, the Swedish automaker also had a car that was designed for personal as well as light commercial use. It was known as the Duett and adapted from the PV 544 sedan but had a ladder chassis frame instead of a monocoque structure.

The Duett was successful in its time, but Volvo didn’t continue with it and instead turned to stationwagons to offer dual-role cars. This saw the development of variants from the Amazon series and later models which made the brand a leader in the stationwagon segment in Europe.

Now it looks like Volvo (at least the UK subsidiary) is looking at the light commercial vehicle sector again and reviving the Duett concept of adapting a passenger car model to a new role as a cargo carrier.

Conversion done in the UK
It has taken the EX30 compact and fully electric SUV and transformed it into a practical cargo-carrier through a second-stage conversion process managed by Volvo Car UK. It is priced about £3,000 (around RM16,000) more than the cheapest version of the EX30.

This new variant is designed to meet the growing demand from business and fleet customers who require a practical cargo-carrier without sacrificing the comfort and technology typically associated with Volvo’s passenger car range.

Rear seats removed
To create a dedicated cargo bay, the rear seats of the standard EX30 have been removed and replaced with a flat load floor. A specially designed payload bulkhead has been installed to separate the cabin from the cargo area, ensuring that goods remain secure during transit while maintaining the high safety standards that are a hallmark of the Volvo brand.

In terms of capability, the EX30 Cargo, as it is called, offers a cargo volume of 1,000 litres (slightly more than the maximum available in a standard EX30). Volvo’s engineers have also modified the rear side panels and doors to increase the available volume and improve accessibility.

To further assist with daily business operations, the rear doors have been engineered to open wider than the standard model, and an additional cargo work light has been integrated into the load area to improve visibility during early morning or late-night deliveries.

Practicality is further enhanced by an underfloor subframe that introduces extra securing and mounting points, allowing business owners to tailor the space to their specific commercial needs.

For those who require more than just urban utility, Volvo is also offering the EX30 Cross Country Cargo. This features increased ground clearance and more rugged styling, making it an ideal choice for fleets that may need to navigate rougher terrain or more demanding worksites.

3 electric drivetrain options
The drivetrain is the same as that in the latest EX30, with P5 200 kW (272 hp) and 315 kW (438 hp) powertrains, the latter having AWD. There is also the option of a P3 110 kW (150hp) Extended Range powertrain for customers who don’t need a high output and prioritise range which can be up to 480 kms.

Despite its commercial role, the EX30 Cargo offers a premium environment for the driver. The cabin retains the same high-quality materials and minimalist design found in the SUV, including the 12.3-inch tablet-style display. Connectivity is also a priority, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ensuring that fleet drivers stay connected while on the move.

Safety remains a non-negotiable priority for Volvo, regardless of whether a vehicle is intended for a family or a business. The EX30 Cargo has undergone comprehensive testing to ensure that all its active and passive safety systems perform as intended following the conversion.

At present, the EX30 Cargo is available only through Volvo Car UK’s fleet sales channels and it is not a model that comes from a Volvo factory. As mentioned earlier, it is a conversion that can be done for newly ordered vehicles and existing stock. This gives Volvo additional flexibility to cater to a wide range of business needs while promoting the transition to zero-emission commercial transport.

Volvo brings back Cross Country concept to EX30