Public charging for electric cars
Top up your battery while shopping or at work. Stop at a fast charging station and power up your battery to 80% while you stretch your legs and have a snack. Charging on the go is quick, easy, and convenient. Use the Volvo Cars app or the Google built-in vehicle navigation system to locate nearby charging stations en route to your destination.
Public charging methods
Easy options to charge your drive.
DC Fast chargers
Fast chargers, often referred to as DC chargers, are available at select public charging stations and offer the fastest way to charge your fully electric car. Depending on model, these chargers can power up your battery from 10% to 80% in around a half hour or less. Typically found on highways, they’re convenient on road trips when you quickly want to get back on the road with additional miles of driving range. Fast chargers will charge a battery quickly up to 80%, but slow down after this point to help protect the car’s battery. The charging cable is always attached to the charging unit and is compatible with most Volvo fully electric cars. Some chargers may require an adapter, depending on your model.
AC Destination chargers
Destination chargers, often referred to as AC chargers, are typically used for longer charging sessions. They can effectively charge your electric car and are often located where you park for extended periods, such as outside workplaces, shopping centers or residential areas. All you need to do is park your car, connect to the unit and start charging. This setup allows you to seamlessly integrate charging into your daily routine, powering up your car while you shop, train at the gym or work. Destination chargers are compatible with most Volvo fully electric cars and Volvo plug-in hybrids.
Public charging service
Volvo Public Charging Service
Charge across North America with ease
Enjoy the convenience of only needing one app to seamlessly find, track, and pay for charging at more than 120,000 public charging stations across North America.
One app. Full control.
With Volvo Public Charging Service, access to charging is convenient. Most charging sessions for your fully electric car can be started directly with the Volvo Public Charging Service within the Volvo Cars app. Your receipts will be stored digitally, and there is always full price transparency, making it easy to keep track of your expenses.
Simple to join. Easy to use.
Joining is simple and can be done in just a few steps—sign up in the Volvo Cars app today and enjoy convenient and accessible charging all over North America.
Public charging routine
With an expanding public charging network, powering your Volvo electric car on the go is simple. Fast charging stations are now common along major highways, and destination chargers are widely available across cities and urban areas.
Public charging costs and payment options
The costs for charging your electric car in public vary depending on the provider, location and charging speed. Some offer fixed rates, while others use flexible pricing based on time or energy used. With the Volvo Cars app you can access a wide network of chargers and find, start, and pay for charging at more than 120,000 charging points across North America.
Unlock additional charging access with NACS
Volvo Car electric vehicles now support the North American Charging Standard, enabling access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. This will complement the wide access of fast chargers currently available via the CCS (Combined Charging System) network available today. With this move, Volvo Cars continues to improve the electric vehicle experience for our consumers by unlocking access to an additional 22,000+ and growing, public fast charging stations nationwide.
Learn moreFAQ on charging
What is the Volvo Cars and Starbucks EV Charging collaboration?
Volvo Cars and Starbucks are collaborating to establish the first public electric-vehicle charging network at the coffee company's U.S. stores, powered by ChargePoint.
What’s the difference between home charging and public charging?
Home charging is a convenient and cost-effective charging option, letting you power up overnight using a wallbox or standard outlet. Public charging, on the other hand, gives you flexibility on the go – with access to a wide network of destination chargers for convenient top ups or DC fast chargers during longer journeys.
Can I charge my car in Canada with the Volvo Cars app?
Yes, you can. When driving abroad, simply open the Volvo Cars app to locate compatible public chargers along your journey. You can start and stop charging sessions directly in the app, view real-time availability and pay using your linked Volvo Cars account, no additional apps or cards needed.
What factors affect charging time?
Charging time depends on several factors, including charger type, battery size, current charge level, and temperature conditions. Charging is fastest up to around 80% – after that, the process slows to protect the battery. For optimal efficiency, pre-condition the battery by navigating to the charger via Google Maps, and turn off climate control systems while charging. Planning your stops to align with breaks and choosing chargers without another car connected can also help reduce overall charging time.
What types of public charging stations are compatible with Volvo electric cars?
Volvo fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars are compatible with most public charging stations in the United States. For plug-in hybrids, this includes Level 2 AC destination charging stations for regular top-ups. Fully electric models are compatible with both Level 2 AC chargers, as well as most DC fast chargers for quicker charging on longer journeys. Volvo fully electric vehicles now support the North American Charging Standard, enabling access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. This will complement the wide access of fast chargers currently available via the CCS (Combined Charging System) network available today. With this move, Volvo Cars continues to improve the electric vehicle experience for our consumers by unlocking access to an additional 22,000+ and growing, public fast charging stations nationwide.