Volvo EX30 vs EC40 vs EX40: Which Small Volvo EV Wins?
All images in this article have been sourced from Volvo’s Press & Media site unless stated otherwise
If you’re in the market for a Volvo, you may have found yourself a tad confused by the EX30, EX40 and the EC40. “What’s the difference?!” … you may be wondering. All three are small electric Volvos, built to solve different problems: the EX30 is the cheapest way into the brand, the EX40 is the practical family SUV, and the EC40 is its coupe-roofed sibling. Plus, the 2024 rebrand that swapped the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge for new names hasn't helped.
This guide from The Electric Car Scheme compares the Volvo EX30, EC40 and EX40 on size, range, price and what each one costs through electric car salary sacrifice. If you've already ruled out the bigger Volvo EVs, our guide to every electric Volvo you can salary sacrifice covers the EX90 and ES90 too.
The Three Small Volvos Explained
You’ll be glad to know we can confirm the Volvo EX30, EC40 and EX40 are indeed different. All three models sit at different points in Volvo's electric range.
Three Different Cars For Three Different Jobs
Volvo EX30 (left): Volvo's smallest and most affordable EV, built as an electric car from the ground up
Volvo EX40 (middle): the boxier, practical SUV, sharing its platform and battery options with the EC40
Volvo EC40 (right): the same car as the EX40 underneath, with a sloping, coupe-style roofline in exchange for boot space
Size and Practicality Compared
Is the EX30 smaller than the XC40? Yes, noticeably. At 4,233mm long, it's the smallest of the three and has the tightest boot, a trade-off that suits city driving and tighter parking.
Boot Space, Side By Side
Volvo EX30 (left): 318 litres, rising to around 1,000 litres with the rear seats folded
Volvo EC40 (middle): around 404 litres, reduced by the sloping coupe roofline
Volvo EX40 (right): around 410 litres, the roomiest of the three
The EX40's tall, upright body gives noticeably better rear headroom and legroom than the EX30. The EC40 shares its interior and underpinnings, but the roofline eats into headroom for taller passengers, so buyers are largely trading practicality for styling. You can see other rivals in our best small electric cars guide.
How Do Range and Charging Compare Between The Three Models?
Volvo EX30 range varies more than the other two by trim, from around 209 miles on the entry Single Motor Core to up to 304 miles on longer-range versions, all WLTP combined.
WLTP Range By Model
Volvo EX30: up to 304 miles, trim-dependent
Volvo EC40: up to 354 miles
Volvo EX40: up to 356 miles, the longest of the three
Charging Speeds
EX40 and EC40: rapid DC charging up to 205kW, depending on trim
EX30: tops out lower, at around 150kW
All three comfortably cover a week of typical commuting between charges. The range gap only really matters for buyers doing regular long motorway runs.
What About Price And Specs?
The Volvo EX30’s price starts from ~£31,560, making it comfortably the cheapest of the three, while the EX40 starts from around £44,500 and the EC40 from around £50,000. Trim, battery size and options shift the final figure considerably, so make sure to always check current pricing directly with Volvo before ordering.
| Spec | Volvo EX30 | Volvo EC40 | Volvo EX40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| From (RRP) | £31,560 | £50,000 | £44,500 |
| Boot space | 318 litres | 404 litres | 410 litres |
| WLTP range | Up to 304 miles | Up to 354 miles | Up to 356 miles |
| Battery options | 51kWh / 69kWh | 69kWh / 82kWh | 69kWh / 82kWh |
| Body style | Compact SUV | Coupe-SUV | SUV |
These figures are correct at the time of writing but can move through the year. What they don't show is the real cost once tax and salary sacrifice savings are applied, which is where the picture changes.
How Much Do The Volvo EX30, EC40 And EX40 Cost To Salary Sacrifice?
This is where the comparison matters most: salary sacrifice changes the real monthly cost far more than list price alone suggests. Using The Electric Car Scheme's pricing engine for a higher-rate taxpayer on £60,000, over a three-year term at 10,000 miles a year with a flat payment profile, the Volvo EX30 (Single Motor Core, 51kWh) comes out at £729 a month gross, dropping to £491 net once income tax, National Insurance savings and Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) are applied.
| Salary Sacrifice | Volvo EX30 | Volvo EC40 | Volvo EX40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trim quoted | Single Motor Core, 51kWh | Plus, 69kWh | Extended Range Core, 82kWh |
| Gross monthly sacrifice | £729 | £897 | £713 |
| Income tax saving | -£292 | -£359 | -£285 |
| National Insurance saving | -£15 | -£18 | -£14 |
| Benefit-in-Kind over term | £68 | £97 | £91 |
| Net cost, you pay | £491 | £617 | £504 |
Looking Closely At The Numbers
Volvo EX40 has the lowest gross monthly sacrifice at £713, reflecting its position within Volvo's range
Volvo EX30 ends up cheapest overall at £491 a month once tax savings and Benefit-in-Kind are worked through, since its lower list price keeps Benefit-in-Kind tax down even at the same 4% rate
Volvo EC40 carries the highest net cost at £617, reflecting the higher-spec Plus trim and larger battery used here rather than the coupe body itself
These figures are quoted for a specific trim on each model; a different trim, battery or term will change the number, so treat this as like-for-like rather than a universal price. Employees typically save 20 to 50% compared with a personal lease through this structure, and every quote is subject to individual circumstances.
The Electric Car Scheme is rated Excellent on Trustpilot with a 4.8 TrustScore, and we hold a B Corp certification. You can run your own numbers, on your own salary and mileage, through our savings calculator.
Which Volvo Suits You Best?
There isn't a single winner among the three because each suits a different priority.
Volvo EX30: Best For Affordability And Footprint
Wins on affordability and footprint, the strongest option for city driving or the lowest net monthly cost. It's also the smallest of the three, so families needing rear-seat room may find it tight.
Volvo EX40: Best For Space And Range
The practical all-rounder, with the longest range, the biggest boot and, on these figures, a net cost that undercuts the EC40 by well over £100 a month. Suits buyers who want SUV space without SUV money on salary sacrifice.
Volvo EC40: Best For Styling-Led Buyers
Makes sense for buyers who prioritise the coupe-SUV look and are willing to pay a premium for it. On cost and practicality alone, it's a harder case against its own sibling, but for buyers who value the styling, that's a deliberate trade-off rather than a mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The EX30 Smaller Than The XC40?
Yes. The Volvo EX30 has a smaller footprint and less boot space than both the petrol XC40 and its electric sibling, the EX40. At 318 litres, its boot is the smallest of Volvo's current small electric SUVs
Is The EX40 Any Good?
The Volvo EX40 is well regarded by UK reviewers for its blend of range, practicality and Volvo's usual safety credentials. It offers the longest WLTP range of the small Volvo EVs and the most boot space.
Is The Volvo EX30 Worth Buying?
The Volvo EX30 is well reviewed for its value, compact footprint and driving feel, though reviewers note it isn't the roomiest option in the back seats. It suits buyers prioritising affordability, and its lower list price keeps salary sacrifice costs competitive.
What Is The Difference Between The EX30, EC40 And EX40?
The EX30 is Volvo's smallest and cheapest electric SUV, built as a dedicated EV. The EX40 and EC40 share the same underlying car and battery options, with the EX40 using a boxier SUV body and the EC40 a sloping, coupe-style roofline.
Are The EC40 And EX40 Still Available In The UK?
Yes, both remain on sale in the UK today. Some confusion stems from the US market, where the EC40 paused for a single model year during its rename and the EX30 has been earmarked for eventual replacement, but neither applies to current UK availability.
Why Did Volvo Rename The XC40 And C40 To EX40 And EC40?
Volvo renamed the XC40 Recharge to EX40 and the C40 Recharge to EC40 in 2024 to bring its early electric models in line with the naming used by the EX30 and EX90, making its fully electric models easier to identify.
Choosing between the Volvo EX30, EC40 and EX40 comes down to what you're optimising for rather than which is objectively "best." The EX30 is the cheapest to buy and the cheapest net cost on salary sacrifice; the EX40 offers the most space and range for a strongly competitive price, and the EC40 trades some practicality for styling at a premium over its sibling. All three sit in the same 4% Benefit-in-Kind band for 2026/27, so the real differences come down to size, range and what each model costs once tax and National Insurance savings are applied, not badge or body style alone.
Compare your own take-home cost across the Volvo EX30, EC40 and EX40 with The Electric Car Scheme's savings calculator. If you're new to the scheme, our guide explaining how salary sacrifice works covers the basics before you order.
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Last updated: 21.08.26
Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms; 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme’s terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions; England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
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