In a significant safety announcement affecting the UK's electric vehicle market, Volvo has issued a critical warning to drivers of specific EX30 models. The automotive manufacturer is advising owners to refrain from charging their vehicle's battery beyond 70% of its total capacity due to an identified fire risk.
Specific Models Under Scrutiny
The advisory specifically concerns the Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance variants of the popular Volvo EX30. This guidance emerges from ongoing discussions between Volvo and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), highlighting a collaborative approach to consumer safety.
Immediate Safety Instructions
Owners of the affected vehicles have received direct communication from Volvo with clear instructions. They are being asked to utilise the car's infotainment system to access the charge settings menu, where they can manually set a maximum charge limit of 70%. Furthermore, drivers have been strongly advised not to leave their vehicles unattended during charging sessions, particularly when indoors or in covered parking areas, to further minimise any potential hazard.
A spokesperson for Volvo provided context to Autocar, stating, "The risk of this rare issue happening is significantly reduced below this level of charge." The company has confirmed that a formal recall is in the planning stages to implement a permanent technical solution for the implicated cars.
Scope of the Issue and Market Impact
Volvo has moved to clarify the scale of the problem, noting that the issue is isolated and does not affect any of its other vehicle models. Even within the EX30 range, not all variants are subject to this warning. Initial estimates suggest that approximately 0.02% of the 33,777 EX30 models currently on UK roads are believed to be impacted.
This development is notable given the EX30's strong market performance. The model secured its position as the tenth best-selling electric vehicle in the UK last year, with 10,289 units sold, underscoring the importance of this safety communication to a substantial number of drivers.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
The DVSA has acknowledged that the investigation remains active. A notice from the agency confirmed, "Currently the investigation is still ongoing with the final service solution being developed." Volvo has assured affected owners that they will be contacted again as soon as a definitive repair is available, emphasising that the 70% charge limit is a temporary, precautionary measure.
