But what has stung these car manufacturers eager to stand out in the electric car market? If we take the case of Volvo, which is not strictly speaking a compact car specialist, it reveals a 4.23 m urban SUV whose powers are staged, hold on tight, from 272 horsepower to 428 horsepower. To cross the city and go shopping, it seems very overrated.

This fork is reminiscent of another, that of the Smart

This new model unveiled in advance is already announcing breathtaking prices that will cause trouble in the staffs of its urban rivals. They may still have the advantage of the bonus that it is a question of calling into question on Chinese-built cars. But Volvo is attacking with an entry-level price of 37,500 euros, of which, let’s remember, the engine delivers a whopping 272 hp to the rear axle alone… as much as a Porsche 911 type 993! This is the same configuration as the Smart which can be read here, allowing a range of 344 km with a 51 kWh battery. It will be possible to climb to 69 kWh with a more sophisticated battery technology which will increase the range to 480 km.

But there is also this extravagant 4-wheel drive version obtained by the addition of a motor on the front axle and which delivers no less than 428 hp and 543 Nm of torque. Or, this time, the power of a 911 GT3 RS from 2010. We had seen what it looked like on a Smart and we pinch ourselves at the idea that a so-called “city” car is so oversized. To justify it perhaps, these three versions of EX30 capped at 180 km / h, but we will have understood that this is an alibi. This future queen of starting at the green light will indeed reach 100 km / h in just 3.6 s. Practically supercar time. For her, you will have to pay 52,200 euros, with no bonus deducted, but this remains relatively accessible to a novice driver.

The hallmark of Volvo is of course in the design immediately identifiable by clean lines and very balanced. The designers have managed to dress the front face devoid of grille with the singular shape of the headlights under a domed bonnet. The contrasting colored roof falls on a tailgate with typical Volvo lights. Only the protruding door handles swear a little in this harmonious whole.

The “Volvo Touch”, an “AOC” feature that can be found, as in an Ikea store, in the atmosphere of the cabin, is there. A 12.3-inch vertical touch screen with an interface developed by Google sits in the middle of the dashboard while the instrument console…. disappears in favor of an attention sensor behind the three-spoke steering wheel. As on the Austin Allegro of the 1970s, this one is slightly flattened to approach a square and it includes, as it should, some remote functions.

Volvo has paid particular attention to the detection of urban dangers and in particular bicycles by the presence of new mirrors capable of signaling any unexpected presence. The relatively premium atmosphere on board, despite the use of recycled materials, still fishes out with access to the cramped rear seat and just as much roominess.

The first deliveries should take place towards the end of the year for this car which, if it also benefits from the bonus and this remains to be demonstrated, should sow disorder in the established order of the best electric cars. A question remains, however, why do manufacturers not offer much more compliant electric power – Renault ZOE style which was a precursor – for urban use? Are they waiting for the Chinese to do it? The Greens, willingly shocked by the presence in town of large heavy cars and SUVs, do not seem, so far, to be moved by it.