Volvo Cars brings simplicity to public charging with new in-app integration
Drivers of fully electric Volvo cars in Europe now have a wider choice of public EV charging networks at their fingertips following the integration of the Plugsurfing platform directly into the Volvo Cars app.
By enhancing the functionality of the Volvo Cars app, Volvo customers now have access to more than 270,000 charging points across the continent and across borders, while also being able to pay for charging all from a single and seamless gateway.
The Volvo Cars app shows drivers the location of their nearest public charging station along with real-time information on its availability. In simplifying the mobile charging experience, Volvo Cars is making it even easier for drivers to charge their Recharge pure electric car by eliminating countless different charging apps and payment systems, as well as improving access to public charging infrastructure.
Arek Nowinski, Head of EMEA at Volvo Cars, said: “Creating premium fully electric products is only one part of a much wider ecosystem when it comes to enabling consumers to make the switch to a fully electric car. We recognise the frustration that many of our customers have in carrying around multiple cards and having to install different apps to access individual chargepoints. By enhancing the mobile charging experience, we are supporting our customers across Europe in their own fully electric journey, which means access to more networks inside and outside their country of residence all through our digital platform – the Volvo Cars app.”
This experience is enabled by Plugsurfing’s Developer Platform and Drive API, which directly integrates charging information into the Volvo Cars app, thereby creating a seamless and convenient experience.
“Drive API is the evolution of our commitment to our partners,” said Tatu Kulla, Plugsurfing CEO. "With this integration, Volvo Cars can evolve its own products and services to meet its goal of becoming a purely electric company by 2030. We're proud to be the partner that helps make this a reality.”
Following the initial introduction in Switzerland and Italy, Volvo Cars will continue to roll-out the updated functionality to the majority of its European markets between now and the end of 2022.
Volvo Cars is outlining its ambition to offer its customers of Recharge cars comprehensive and easy access to public charging. Through the new functionality in the Volvo Cars app, drivers of pure electric Volvos benefit from special rates when charging at IONITY stations around Europe. In Sweden and Norway, Volvo Cars has also teamed up with charging operator Mer to offer preferential rates in those countries, with the ambition to continually enhance the consumer offer with more providers in the future.
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Volvo Cars in 2021
Volvo Car Group recorded an operating profit of 20.3 BSEK. Revenue in 2021 amounted to 282.0 BSEK, while global sales reached 698,700 cars.
About Volvo Car Group
Volvo Cars was founded in 1927. Today, it is one of the most well-known and respected car brands in the world, with sales to customers in more than 100 countries. Volvo Cars is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange, where it is traded under the ticker “VOLCAR B”.
Volvo Cars aims to provide customers with the Freedom to Move in a personal, sustainable and safe way. This is reflected in its ambition to become a fully electric car maker by 2030 and in its commitment to an ongoing reduction of its carbon footprint, with the ambition to be a climate-neutral company by 2040.
As of December 2020, Volvo Cars employed approximately 40,000 full-time employees. Volvo Cars' head office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars' production plants are located in Gothenburg (Sweden), Ghent (Belgium), South Carolina (US), Chengdu, Daqing and Taizhou (China). The company also has R&D and design centres in Gothenburg, Camarillo (US), Sunnyvale (US) and Shanghai (China).
For further information, please contact:
Ian Tonkin – PR and Communications, EMEA at Volvo Cars
+44 7510 399053
Volvo Cars Investor Relations
+46 31-793 94 00