Battery Problems Haunt, Volvo Withdraws 40 Thousand EX30 Units Globally

Volvo EX30. (Photo: Volvo)

JAKARTA - Volvo announced a global recall of its EX30 electric SUV unit due to a potential overheating of the battery, which could lead to a fire. Quoting from the Carnewschina website, Tuesday, February 24, a total of 40,323 vehicles are affected, with details of the EX30 Single-Motor Extended Range and Twin-Motor Performance equipped with high-voltage battery cells produced by Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery Co, a joint venture supported by Volvo's parent company, Geely. "We are now contacting the owners of all affected cars to inform them of the next steps," Volvo said in a statement. Battery problems have become a public concern after an EX30 caught fire at a dealer in Maceió, Brazil, in November 2025, which could certainly make the brand's safety reputation go down. Industry analysts, as quoted by Reuters, estimate that replacing the battery module can cost quite expensive, not including logistics and repair costs.

Since December, Volvo has instructed owners of the EX30 in more than a dozen countries including the United States, Australia, and Brazil to limit charging to 70 percent of capacity and park the vehicles away from buildings to reduce the risk of fire. This temporary measure has reduced the effective range of the vehicle, which of course frustrates many customers. Volvo is committed to replacing the problematic battery pack for free, stating that suppliers have overcome manufacturing problems and will provide new battery cells. This product recall follows a significant legal dispute between Geely's subsidiary, Viridi E-Mobility Technology, and battery manufacturer Sunwoda.