comparison · electric · SUV
Kia EV3 or Volvo EX30: which small electric SUV costs less?
EV3 81.4 kWh versus EX30 Extended Range: true cost over 4 years and 80,000 km through a company, for an employee, a self-employed person and a private individual. The Kia wins everywhere, by €46 to €81 a month.
In short: the Kia EV3 Business 81.4 kWh costs less than the Volvo EX30 Extended Range in every case. Over 4 years and 80,000 km, the gap ranges from €46 a month for a self-employed person to €81 a month for a private individual. Through a company, the EV3 works out at €664 a month all in, against €722 for the EX30. For an employee, on the other hand, it makes no difference: both cars have exactly the same benefit in kind (ATN), the legal minimum.
The two versions compared#
| Kia EV3 Business 81.4 kWh | Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range Core | |
|---|---|---|
| List price | €41,990 | €46,980 |
| Power | 150 kW | 200 kW |
| Battery | 81.4 kWh | Extended Range |
| Consumption | 14.9 kWh/100 km | 17 kWh/100 km |
The EX30 is more powerful and more compact; the EV3 relies on a large battery and lower consumption. Two different takes on the same segment.
The true cost for your situation#
Total cost over 4 years, after tax, net of resale value:
| Profile | Kia EV3 | Volvo EX30 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRL, director's car | €31,879 (€664/month) | €34,638 (€722/month) | €58/month |
| SRL, employee's car (cost to the company) | €30,637 (€638/month) | €33,396 (€696/month) | €58/month |
| Self-employed, 80% business use | €22,637 (€472/month) | €24,844 (€518/month) | €46/month |
| Private individual | €39,013 (€813/month) | €42,896 (€894/month) | €81/month |
For a director's car, the cost includes the tax the director pays on their benefit in kind. For an employee's car, it includes the CO2 solidarity contribution paid to the NSSO: €563 a year for both, the minimum for an electric car in 2026.
Item by item#
Example of the SRL, director's car, over 4 years:
| Item | Kia EV3 | Volvo EX30 |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase | €41,990 | €46,980 |
| Estimated resale value after 4 years | −€20,304 | −€22,716 |
| Charging | €5,922 | €6,757 |
| Servicing and tyres | €3,737 | €3,737 |
| Comprehensive (omnium) insurance | €7,160 | €7,631 |
| Taxes (registration tax and road tax) | €508 | €508 |
| Disallowed expense linked to the benefit in kind (corporate income tax) | €541 | €541 |
| Company tax saving (including recoverable VAT) | −€10,717 | −€11,841 |
| Director's tax on the benefit in kind | €3,042 | €3,042 |
| Consolidated cost | €31,879 | €34,638 |
Amounts rounded to the nearest euro. VAT is included in the purchase price; the recoverable share (50% at most for a car) is included in the company's tax saving.
What makes the difference:
- Depreciation: €21,686 for the EV3, €24,264 for the EX30.
- Charging: the EX30 uses 14% more energy, a difference of €835 over 80,000 km.
- Insurance: €471 more over 4 years for the EX30, in proportion to its value.
- Tax: the more expensive EX30 saves the company €1,124 more in tax. This narrows the gap without closing it.
The employee's case: a free choice#
With list prices of €41,990 and €46,980, both cars have a calculated benefit in kind (4% of 6/7 of the list value) below the legal minimum. Their benefit in kind is therefore identical: €1,690 a year in 2026, i.e. around €760 in tax a year for an employee taxed at 45%.
For the employee, choosing one or the other under a car policy makes no difference to their tax. For the employer, the EV3 saves around €2,800 over 4 years. The benefit-in-kind calculation is explained in our guide Benefit in kind 2026.
Our verdict#
- Cost first: the EV3, in every profile.
- The EX30 holds its own if you prioritise a compact size for town driving, power or the brand. The extra cost remains moderate: under €60 a month through a company.
- Through a company, order before 31 December 2026 to lock in 100% deductibility for life. See why to order before the end of the year.
Our assumptions#
- Use: 4 years, 20,000 km a year, cash purchase at list price with no discount (prices recorded in September 2026), order in October 2026, Brussels, comprehensive (omnium) insurance.
- Charging: half at home (€0.30/kWh), half at public charging points (€0.65/kWh), 3% increase per year.
- Tax: SRL at the 20% SME rate, 80% business use, director taxed at 45% on their benefit in kind, self-employed person at a 45% marginal rate. Tax amounts calculated from the official Belgian scales, checked on 17 September 2026.
- Resale: estimated by our used-car valuation engine, which takes into account age, mileage, powertrain, body style, gearbox, brand and engine reliability, and is calibrated on more than 5,000 real used-car listings published in Belgium.
Tax rules change: check the legislation in force before making any decision.
Frequently asked questions
- Kia EV3 or Volvo EX30: which is cheaper?
- The Kia EV3 Business 81.4 kWh, in every profile. Over 4 years and 80,000 km, it costs €58 less per month through a company (€664 against €722, consolidated cost), €46 less for a self-employed person and €81 less for a private individual.
- What is the benefit in kind of a Kia EV3 and a Volvo EX30 in 2026?
- The same for both: the legal minimum of €1,690 a year in 2026. Their list values (€41,990 and €46,980) give a calculated benefit in kind below that minimum (4% of 6/7 of the list value). For an employee, choosing between the two therefore makes no difference to their tax.
- Why does the Volvo EX30 cost more to run than the Kia EV3?
- It is more expensive to buy (€4,990 more at list price) and uses more energy: 17 kWh/100 km against 14.9 for the EV3, i.e. around €835 more in charging over 80,000 km. Its better resale value only offsets part of the gap.