An EV road trip was calling. Volvo had handed me the keys to its new EX30 Cross Country for an extended test, and it hit me: I’d never taken an electric vehicle on a proper road trip.
Polokwane gave me the perfect excuse to leave Johannesburg behind. For the first time in five years, I was finally heading to Capricorn FM to do my Friday motoring segment in person instead of over the phone. The strange part? I’d never met my producer, Chris Chuene, or Kabelo Motswi, who goes by the pseudonym King Bash, the presenter who hosts my segment, the Capricorn FM Adventure Motoring Experience, every Friday at 12:30.
Yet when I finally met them, it felt like we’d known each other for years. With a reason to travel and a capable set of wheels beneath me, I packed my bags, charged the battery and pointed the EX30 Cross Country north.
What should have been a three-hour drive turned into almost six. For the first stretch I cruised at around 80km/h, partly because I was enjoying the Harman Kardon soundbar and partly because range anxiety had the better of me. My conservative driving paid off, with the EX30 averaging an impressive 12.8kWh/100km.
My first stop was Euphoria Golf Estate, roughly halfway to Polokwane. The charging facilities were excellent, and while the car topped up, I stretched my legs, grabbed a bite to eat and admired the wildlife roaming the estate. Ostriches and buck wandered freely, making it a relaxing place to recharge both myself and the car.
I had left Johannesburg with the battery at 98%, showing an estimated range of 350km. By the time I reached Euphoria, after about 170km, I still had enough charge left, thanks to my relaxed driving style. After a quick recharge, the display now showed an estimated 490km. That certainly boosted my confidence. Back on the road, darkness quickly settled in. Traffic became more demanding, with impatient drivers, trucks pulling out to overtake and unpredictable traffic flow.
This time I settled into a cruising speed of around 100-120km/h. The EX30 Cross Country is seriously quick, sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 3.7 seconds, and overtaking slower traffic was effortless. Power comes from a twin-motor all-wheel-drive electric drivetrain, delivering a staggering 315kw and 543 Nm of torque. To put that into perspective, a base-spec Porsche 911 Carrera 992.2 can do a 0- 100 km/h sprint in 4.1 seconds, but of course, at the top end this EV is no match for the mighty Porsche. The EX30 Cross Country is governed to 180km/h
On the road, it’s important to note that with an EV, the harder you drive, the faster the battery drops. A couple of hours later, I arrived at my Airbnb with around 150km of range remaining. After a long day behind the wheel, sleep came easily. The next morning was crisp and cold as I made my way to Capricorn FM. The team gave the EX30 Cross Country plenty of attention, admiring its rugged styling and futuristic design before I finally met King Bash in person.
We even took the Volvo for a short drive before heading into the studio, where we spoke about the realities of taking an EV on a road trip. The EX30 Cross Country certainly stands out. Compared with the standard EX30, it gets tougher-looking body cladding, raised ground clearance, 19-inch matte black wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres and Volvo’s Vapour Grey paintwork. It looks purposeful without trying too hard.
Inside, the cabin still smelled factory fresh. When I collected the vehicle, it had covered just 250km, and by the time I handed it back, the odometer read 1,476km. Needless to say, we covered plenty of ground together.
That said, the cabin won’t appeal to everyone. Volvo has built its reputation on creating some of the most comfortable interiors in the business, but the EX30 takes a different approach. Sustainable materials replace traditional leather, giving the cabin a more minimalist feel. It looks modern, but it doesn’t have the warm, lounge-like atmosphere many people associate with the brand.
The biggest adjustment is the infotainment system. Almost every function is controlled through the central touchscreen, including mirror adjustments. Once you learn the menus, it becomes easier to live with, but there is a learning curve. I also found the constant driver monitoring system overly sensitive. Combined with the need to navigate touchscreen menus while driving, the constant beeps can become frustrating. It’s one of those cars where you’ll want your playlist sorted before setting off.
Storage, however, is well thought out. There are generous door bins, a hidden glovebox, useful centre storage and USB-C ports for both front and rear passengers. Rear legroom is adequate for a small family, although taller passengers may find it tight on longer journeys. The boot is practical, but don’t expect class-leading luggage space.
Safety is where the EX30 Cross Country shines. It comes loaded with technology including Adaptive Cruise Control, Pilot Assist, Lane Keeping Aid, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Traffic Jam Assist, a Driver Alert System, Forward Collision Warning, Cross Traffic Alert, Collision Avoidance and One Pedal Drive. Parking is equally straightforward thanks to a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors and Park Pilot Assist.
After spending more than 1,200km behind the wheel, the EX30 Cross Country proved that an EV road trip is entirely possible with a little planning. Yes, charging stops take longer than filling up with petrol, and yes, you become more conscious of your speed and energy use.
But the quiet cabin, strong performance and low running costs made the journey surprisingly enjoyable. For me, though, the biggest highlight wasn’t the destination or even the car. It was finally meeting the voices I’d spoken to every Friday for the past five years. The EX30 Cross Country gave me the perfect reason to make the trip.