How to charge your Volvo
Charge a fully electric or plug-in hybrid Volvo at home on a wallbox, or on the road at public chargers. Volvo Public Charging Service gives you access to more than 380 charging stations across South Africa, and the Volvo Cars app shows your charge level, schedules home charging and finds chargers on your route.
Charging at home
A wallbox at home makes charging simple: plug in when you get home, and your Volvo is ready in the morning. Have it installed by a qualified electrician.
Charging at home often costs less than public charging, especially when you schedule it for off-peak hours. Warming or cooling the cabin while your Volvo is still plugged in saves range for the drive.
A standard household socket works as a back-up, but it is slow, and Volvo does not recommend it for regular charging. Ask our sales team about home charging when you buy, and see the current offers for any that include a wallbox.
Charging on the road
Rapid (DC) chargers, usually on main routes, are the fastest way to charge a fully electric Volvo, to about 80% while you take a break; charging then slows to protect the battery. Destination (AC) chargers at workplaces, shopping centres and residential areas top up electric and plug-in hybrid Volvo cars while they are parked.
Volvo Public Charging Service gives you access to a growing network of more than 380 charging stations in South Africa. Most charging sessions on a fully electric Volvo can be started with the Volvo Public Charging Service card, and your invoice is in rand, with full price transparency.
With Plug & Charge, selected fully electric Volvo cars, including the EX90, EX30 and EC40, start charging and paying as soon as you plug in.
Charging a plug-in hybrid
The XC60 and XC90 Plug-in Hybrids charge from AC: a home wallbox or a destination charger. Rapid chargers are meant only for fully electric cars.
About 3 hours from empty to full on a 2-phase 16 A supply for the XC60 and XC90 Plug-in Hybrids, each with a 19 kWh battery. That gives up to 81 km of electric driving in the XC60 and 84 km in the XC90 (WLTP).
Charging with the Volvo Cars app
The Volvo Cars app shows your charge level and range, and whether charging is under way, finished or has a fault. Set a home charging schedule, find public chargers within range and pay for charging from your phone.
In a fully electric Volvo, Google Maps finds chargers on your route by speed and plug type. When the battery falls to 20% it suggests chargers nearby and shows your charge on arrival.
Charging times for every Volvo
Volvo Car South Africa’s figures. AC times run from empty to full on a 3-phase 16 A supply for fully electric cars and a 2-phase 16 A supply for plug-in hybrids; DC times run from 10 to 80% on a rapid charger.
| Model | Battery (nominal) | AC, 0 to 100% | DC rapid, 10 to 80% |
|---|---|---|---|
| EX90 Single Motor | 92 kWh | 9 h | 22 min (250 kW charger) |
| EX90 Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance | 106 kWh | 10 h | 22 min (250 kW charger) |
| EX60 P6 Electric, coming soon | 83 kWh | 8 h | 16 min (unrestricted charger) |
| EX60 P10 AWD Electric, coming soon | 95 kWh | 9 h | 16 min (unrestricted charger) |
| XC40 Recharge Single Motor | 69 kWh | About 7 to 8 h | 34 min (150 kW charger) |
| XC40 Recharge Twin Motor | 82 kWh | About 7 to 8 h | 28 min (200 kW charger) |
| EX30 Single Motor | 51 kWh | 6 h | 26 min (175 kW charger) |
| EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance | 69 kWh | 8 h | 28 min (175 kW charger) |
| EC40 | 82 kWh | 8 h | 28 min (200 kW charger) |
| ES90 | 92 kWh | 10 h | 22 min (350 kW charger) |
| XC90 Plug-in Hybrid | 19 kWh | 3 h | AC only |
| XC60 Plug-in Hybrid | 19 kWh | 3 h | AC only |
Volvo’s figures are preliminary estimates and are not guaranteed. Real charging times depend on the charger, the temperature and the condition of the battery and the car. Ask an electrician what your home supply allows.
Using a public charger
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Park within reach
Park so that your car’s charging port is within reach of the charger’s cable.
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Connect the cable
Plug the charging cable into your car’s charging port.
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Start charging
Follow the instructions in your charging app, or on the charger itself.
Charging questions
How long does it take to charge a Volvo electric car?
On a rapid (DC) charger, the fully electric Volvo cars on sale now charge from 10 to 80% in 22 to 34 minutes, depending on the model and the charger’s power, by Volvo Car South Africa’s preliminary figures. On a home wallbox, from empty to full takes 6 to 10 hours on a 3-phase 16 A supply. The table on this page gives every model and the charger each figure assumes.
Can I charge my Volvo from a normal plug at home?
Yes, as a back-up, but it is slow, and Volvo does not recommend it for regular charging. A wallbox installed by a qualified electrician is faster and the better choice.
Can I use a rapid charger with a plug-in hybrid?
No. Rapid (DC) chargers are meant only for fully electric cars. Plug-in hybrids charge from AC, on a home wallbox or a destination charger.
How long does a plug-in hybrid take to charge?
About 3 hours from empty to full on a 2-phase 16 A supply for the XC60 and XC90 Plug-in Hybrids, each with a 19 kWh battery.
What is Volvo Public Charging Service?
Volvo’s public charging service, with a growing network of more than 380 charging stations in South Africa. Most charging sessions on a fully electric Volvo can be started with the Volvo Public Charging Service card, and your invoice is in rand.
Is it cheaper to charge at home?
It often is, especially at off-peak hours, which you can schedule in the Volvo Cars app.
How long is the battery warranty on an electric Volvo?
The high-voltage battery in a fully electric or plug-in hybrid Volvo is covered for 8 years or up to 160 000 km if its efficiency falls below 70%. See the maintenance plan and warranty.
What happens when my electric Volvo runs out of charge?
Call Volvo Roadside Assistance on 0800 698 6586. It arranges to take your car to the nearest charge point, at your cost. About Volvo Roadside Assistance.