More than 10,000 electric Volvo owners have been stuck for months with family cars that barely manage to cover 150 miles before running out of charge – after the manufacturer imposed strict charging restrictions on safety grounds.
In December, 10,365 UK owners of EX30 SUVs were told not to charge their cars above 70 per cent due to a risk the batteries could overheat – and in rare cases, catch fire.
They were also warned not to leave vehicles unattended while charging in garages or under cover over concerns about temperatures escalating.
The result: cars sold with a claimed range of up to 280 miles are now delivering barely half that in real-world driving.
Volvo issued a recall in February but months on, many cars are still waiting to be fixed.
The brand – which is synonymous with safety – says it is ‘working tirelessly’ to resolve the issue.
But delays sourcing parts from China mean owners have now endured five months of shortened range, rising costs and growing unease.
Furious drivers have told This is Money the problem has become a ‘constant inconvenience’ – with some already considering a return to petrol or diesel.
Over 10,000 Volvo EX30 owners have been restricted to charging to 70% over fire concerns linked to battery overheating since December. Many are growing increasingly frustrated
In the wake of the original warning letters at the end of December, Volvo told us: ‘Volvo Cars has identified a potential issue with high-voltage battery cells manufactured by a particular supplier in certain model year 2024–2026 EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance cars.
‘In rare cases, the battery can overheat when charged to a high level, which could, in a worst-case scenario, lead to a fire.’
A charging cap of 70 per cent ‘significantly reduced’ the threat of blazes, it said.
But doing so dramatically cuts the EX30’s range.
On paper, the Single Motor Extended Range will slip from 295 to 207 miles, while the Twin Motor Performance falls from 280 to only 196 miles.
In reality, owners say they’re getting closer to just 150 miles.
An official recall followed in February, with affected vehicles due to return to dealers for inspection and, if necessary, battery module replacements free of charge.
But by the end of April, Volvo admitted fewer than 10 battery packs had been replaced, with parts still in transit from China.
Now, as the issue drags towards a sixth month, it threatens not just to put a dent in Volvo’s finances but its brand reputation as well as that of the wider EV market.
Stephen Surgeon, 69, from Rochdale told us that a combination of anxiety caused by the repair delays and limited range are making him wish he’s bought a different car entirely
A five-month inconvenience
Stephen Surgeon, 69, from Rochdale, is recently retired, having worked most of his career in the kitchen industry. He says he has been chasing his local Volvo dealership about when his EX30 will be fixed since March, but his emails are being ignored.
With the 70 per cent charging restriction, Stephen says he is effectively limited to 150-mile journeys before needing to stop to recharge.
‘This has been a constant inconvenience,’ he told This is Money.
‘We regularly visit the Lake District but are having to charge once – sometimes twice – to complete journeys that we should be able to do in one go.
‘It’s become so impractical for longer journeys that we’re taking the bus or train instead to avoid the hassle of charging.
‘With the delays in getting the car fixed and the range anxiety I’m suffering, I’m beginning to think I should have bought something else.’
Volvo has offered customers £200 in charging vouchers as compensation towards the high cost of using public chargers rather than filling the battery at home using cheaper electricity.
But this has provided little relief for frustrated owners.
David Mackenzie says he’s received £200 in public charging credits from Volvo to cover the additional cost of having to plug in away from home. But he says he’s almost used these up
David Mackenzie, 64, a retired public servant living in Berkshire, is another disgruntled owner. He said: ‘I’ve received no date or contact from the local dealer about when my EX30 will be repaired.
‘Several journeys have been significantly disrupted by the need to use expensive public chargers far more often than I had originally expected to do so.’
While David is one of the customers to have received charging credits, he says they were quickly exhausted.
‘The £200 has all but been used, with no further compensation offered.
‘This whole experience has sapped any joy I had from owning this car. I’m keen to embrace the EV experience; however, this is testing my resolve, patience and, even more so, my wallet.
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It’s made me want to go back to a petrol car
Jeremy Joiner, 70, a retired solicitor living in the Cotswolds, has taken particular umbrage with the lack of communication he’s been receiving from Volvo.
In April, he approached the local dealer who sold him the EX30.
He wants to terminate his PCP finance agreement with Volvo on the grounds that he was ‘sold a defective car which was not fit for purpose and potentially dangerous’.
However, the dealership has been unable to handle his request.
In 2023, Volvo transitioned its UK retail network to a direct-sales ‘agency model’ with showrooms selling at fixed prices to customers. But it also means dealers cannot get involved in contractual disputes.
‘I hate being ignored. Volvo has had a dismissive attitude from the start,’ he told us.
‘In the old days, when you bought from a dealer, it was a damn sight more straightforward. Now they merely have an agency relationship to sell a quota of cars – and that’s all.
‘To be perfectly frank, I find that difficult to come to terms with.’
He added: ‘When I bought the car, I must admit I was in two minds about going electric.
‘After this experience, I am very tempted to go back to a petrol car. And it won’t be a Volvo.’
Two versions of the EX30 (both with the 69kWh battery) are impacted. Charging to 70% means the Single Motor Extended Range will slip from 295 to 207 miles, while the Twin Motor Performance falls from 280 to only 196 miles. But drivers says the reality is closer to 150 miles
Fire risk means I can’t charge my car for free at work
Gwen Beeken from Anglesey emailed to say her EX30 Extended Range – which, like many EV owners, she acquired through her employer’s salary sacrifice scheme – is affected by the 70 per cent charge restriction and the recall.
‘I was disappointed when I first got the car, as the claimed 295 miles of range is nowhere near achievable.
In summer, it typically shows 220 miles when fully charged, and in winter it’s closer to 200.
‘Now, with the 70 per cent charging restriction, range is reduced to around 150 miles in colder weather and is only slowly increasing into the 160s as it gets warmer.
‘I live on Anglesey and my office is in Manchester. I had planned to drive there occasionally and I chose the Extended Range version so I could make the return journey without charging.
‘The restriction is causing not only financial cost but, more importantly, extra time.
‘Despite contacting my fleet management company, the lease firm and Volvo, I still have no idea when the car will be repaired.’
Janet Daly said the guidance not to charge under cover means she can no longer use free chargers provided by her workplace.
‘Although I have been offered a £200 voucher, this does not resolve the issue. I requested a cheque to cover the extra electricity costs I’m having to incur, but this was refused.
‘This is totally unacceptable. I chose this Extended Range model for reassurance and practicality when travelling longer distances. I hope Volvo provides appropriate compensation.’
Fiona Evans said it has become ‘very frustrating’ dealing with limited charging.
‘Previously, I needed to charge once or twice a week depending on my journeys. Now it’s four or five times.
‘The vehicle’s range was already below what was promised before this restriction.’
Volvo tells us that delays receiving replacement parts from China is slowing down the recall process but says it is ‘working tirelessly’ to resolve the issue for customers
Volvo’s reputation at stake
A Volvo spokesman said this week: ‘Volvo Car UK has been working tirelessly to source replacement parts from around the world. These are now beginning to arrive in the UK, with repairs well underway.
‘Availability will initially be limited, but we expect the repair rate to increase in the coming weeks.
‘Retailers will contact customers as soon as parts are available.
‘Safety is a top priority for Volvo Cars, and we are taking this issue extremely seriously. We appreciate customers’ patience and understanding.’
Reuters has reported that new replacement battery modules could cost Volvo $195million (approximately £144million), excluding logistics and repair costs at a time when its Chinese owner Geely has ordered a $1.9billion savings drive.
Volvo said the calculations were ‘speculative in nature’, and that the auto maker was in talks with its official battery supplier, Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery Company, which is part of a joint venture with the parent group.
Sam Fiorani, vice president for global vehicle forecasting at research firm AutoForecast Solutions, said the importance of the EX30 to Volvo – which was launched to go head-to-head with new Chinese EV rivals launching across Europe – means the car maker ‘has to get it [the recall] right’ to protect its long-standing reputation for safety.
Andy Palmer, an industry veteran as former boss at Aston Martin and Nissan and now operates his own businesses in the electric car space, said Volvo has less room for missteps than rivals as its reputation for safety is central to its identity.
‘Volvo can’t afford a safety issue because that strikes at the heart of their brand.’
Have you been hit by the charging restrictions? editor@thisismoney.co.uk
