Charging your Volvo
Everything you need to know about charging your car
How to charge your car is a key part of electrified car ownership. Discover how a Volvo Recharge car could fit into your lifestyle.
Sometimes quiet is the most powerful way to go, with zero tailpipe emissions and less noise at all speeds. Powered by a high-voltage battery and dual electric motors, our XC40 Recharge pure electric is pure progress for the road ahead.
Less petrol, more purpose. In our Recharge plug-in hybrids, an electric motor and combustion engine team together for a choice of pure electric mode, power mode and hybrid mode, giving you total driving control and lower tailpipe emissions.
Our electrified Recharge powertrains
We offer two types of Recharge electrified powertrains, designed to accommodate a wide range of driving needs.
Where can I charge? Availability of charging plays a big role in the daily experience of owning an electric car.
Steady access to charging
If you park in a garage or driveway at home, or a spot with steady access to charging at work, it’s easy to integrate charging into your daily routine. Our pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars are both great options.
Occasional access to charging
With occasional dedicated access to charging, a plug-in hybrid car – which runs on fuel when you’re unable to charge – may offer greater flexibility. A pure electric car may also be great fit, depending on driving pattern.
Reliant on public charging
When relying on short-term public charging – like at your gym or a mall – a plug-in hybrid may be a great option. Alternatively, a mild hybrid - which captures braking energy, but doesn't need to be plugged in - could be an excellent fit.
How often would I need to charge? Frequency of charging depends on how far you usually drive in a day and the range of your car.
Short distances
With a pure electric, you should have enough range for your daily trips, and will likely only need to charge a few times per week. With a plug-in hybrid, you can drive each way in electric mode, but you may need to charge after each trip in order to minimize fuel usage.
Moderate distances
With a pure electric, you should have enough range for your daily trips, but may need to charge at each end-point. With a plug-in hybrid, you will be using a combination of electricity and fuel.
Longer distances
A pure electric can offer enough range for a long commute or weekend getaway, though you will need to coordinate charging opportunities. A plug-in hybrid will use a combination of electricity and fuel.
How long does it take to charge?
Charging times vary with charging format and vehicle type.*
* Charging times are also dependent on factors such as outdoor temperature, current battery temperature, charging equipment, battery condition and car condition.
Charging a pure electric car
To make the most of the battery life in a pure electric car, we recommend AC charging the battery up to 90 percent capacity for typical daily driving, and preferably not letting the charge fall below 20 percent. The car can offer plenty of range for daily trips, and you'll likely only need to top up the charge throughout the week.
With DC fast charging (50–150kW)
With 11kW AC fast charging/wallbox
Charging a plug-in hybrid car
Regularly charging the battery to 100% is a great way to make the most of a plug-in hybrid’s electric range. With the fuel engine present, charge can get low without concern.
With 3.6kW AC fast charging/wallbox
With AC charging 220V household connector
Cost of ownership of an electrified car can be significantly lower than that of an equivalent fuel car.
In many places, the cost of purchasing an electric vehicle is offset by tax incentives. Such benefits vary in different countries.
With fewer moving mechanical parts and fluids, service and maintenance often costs less for an electric car.
For many people, charging is done mainly at home or at work. If you can do most of your charging at these places, the electricity to charge your car can cost significantly less than the fuel to drive the equivalent mileage.
Explore our electric models
What else do you want to know about charging?
Which kind of battery is used in plug-in hybrid cars?
Plug-in hybrid cars use a lithium-ion battery, similar to, but smaller than, those used in pure electric cars.
What is the range in pure electric mode of a plug-in hybrid car?
Depending on the model, a plug-in hybrid can travel up to around 55km/34 miles in pure electric mode, giving you the ability to commute around town with zero tailpipe emissions. If you can coordinate charging opportunities at work or other destinations, you can likely make most of your shorter trips entirely electric.
How long will it take to charge my car?
Normal pace charging - With a 7.4 kW AC wall box charger: 8 to 9 hours for up to 80% charge Rapid charging - With a 50 kW DC charger: 2 hours for up to 80% charge Fastest charging - With a 150 kW DC charger: 40 minutes for up to 80% charge
Please note: Charging times will vary and are dependent on factors such as outdoor temperature, current battery temperature, charging equipment, battery condition and car condition.
What kind of charging cables can I use for plug-in hybrid cars?
Our plug-in hybrids come with a charging cable which you can use to connect to household power for lightweight charging duty. The car can also be connected to the charging cables present at AC charging points and charging stations. For AC charging points without charging cables, you can complement with a separate cable for that purpose.
How long can I drive before I need to recharge the battery?
As per WLTP and EPA driving cycles under controlled conditions for a new vehicle, a fully-charged battery gives a projected range of up to 418 kms*. However, actual range may vary based on driving conditions and other factors such as outdoor temperature, weather, wind, topography and roads.
How long will it take to charge the vehicle when I do it at home?
The rate of charge at home depends on the specifications of your electric system and the type of charging you use. A 220V household outlet provides 7–14km of range per hour and takes between 36 and 60 hours to fully charge a pure electric Volvo. An 11kW 3-phase home wallbox provides 50–60km of range per hour and takes about 8 hours to fully charge a pure electric Volvo.
How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle?
The cost of electricity varies depending on location, but can often be lower than the cost of fuel to drive the equivalent distance. If you are able to charge at home or at work – especially at night when electricity tariffs can be lower – your cost-per-distance can be even less.