Volvo EX30 Now Built in Europe: What You Need to Know

Volvo Cars has officially kicked off production of the fully electric EX30 small sport utility vehicle at its Ghent manufacturing facility in Belgium. This moment is a major step forward, especially since the EX30 has quickly become one of the best-selling electric vehicles in Europe during 2024. After announcing plans to expand EX30 production to Ghent, Volvo is now preparing to add the EX30 Cross Country to the production schedule later this year, a move that shows how serious they are about growing their presence in Europe’s premium electric vehicle market.

The Ghent plant expansion is bringing real change, too. Volvo Cars has created about 350 new jobs, pushing the total workforce at the facility to nearly 6600 people. This is more than just a numbers game — it shows that Volvo is investing in people, innovation, and the future of electric vehicles in Europe.

To get the EX30 ready for production, Volvo invested around 200 million euros in the Ghent facility. The upgrades were significant, including a new car platform, almost 600 new or upgraded robots, an expanded battery hall, a brand-new door production line, and a new battery pack assembly line. It is not just about building more cars; it is about building smarter and greener ones.

This production move also supports the European Union’s broader goals around sustainability and competitiveness. By producing the EX30 locally, Volvo strengthens the local economy, creates jobs, and helps push innovation in electrification. Today, between the Ghent plant in Belgium and the Torslanda plant in Sweden, Volvo is now building 10 different electric and hybrid models across Europe.

What really stands out is how quickly Volvo made this happen. The decision to produce the EX30 in Ghent was made in autumn 2023, and within months, the factory was up and running. Thanks to the hard work and collaboration of the entire Ghent team, the time it took to industrialize the new model was cut in half.

The Ghent factory is an important part of Volvo’s story. Opened in 1965 and located near Belgium’s North Sea port area, it remains the only fully developed car manufacturing facility in the country. Alongside the EX30, the plant also produces other electrified models like the EX40, EC40, XC40, and V60 hybrids. In 2024, the Ghent team built a little over 186000 vehicles, further proving their importance to Volvo’s global strategy.