Volvo has just made public charging easier for U.S. owners of its EX90 electric crossovers. The electric crossover now benefits from Plug & Charge capability, which eliminates the need for opening an app, swiping a credit card, or manually starting a charging session at participating public chargers. This capability will also be available on the new EX60 when that model starts arriving at dealerships later this year. It removes a significant pain point for EV owners, especially those transitioning to an EV for the very first time.
How Plug & Charge Capability Works
Volvo
Volvo owners with Plug & Charge capability need only plug in their EVs to effortlessly begin a charging session. After activation, authentication and payment are processed automatically between the vehicle and the relevant charging network. Over 35,000 charging stations in the U.S. offer Plug & Charge capability, and Volvo drivers can easily find the closest station via the built-in Google Automotive System or the Volvo Cars app. More charging partners will expand the network at a later stage.
“The EX60 and EX90 reflect Volvo Cars’ vision for the future of mobility—vehicles that combine safety, sustainability, and human-centric technology,” said Jim Nichols, Head of Product, Technology & Consumer Offer, Volvo Car Americas. “With the addition of Plug & Charge, Volvo drivers can enjoy an even more seamless ownership experience, making public charging as simple as plugging in and walking away.”
Volvo is gradually improving the overall ownership experience for EV owners. Besides the addition of Plug & Charge, the upcoming EX60 is the first Volvo equipped with a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, which will allow it to be easily charged at over 29,000+ Tesla Supercharger stations across the country.
Related: Xiaomi Introduces a Robot Arm That Automatically Plugs Into Your EV
Crucial EX60 Needs Every Competitive Edge It Can Get
Volvo
Volvo needs its new generation of EVs to catch fire with buyers, particularly the new EX60 that went into production in April. Essentially the electric counterpart to the XC60, Volvo’s best-selling vehicle of all time, the EX60 sits in a highly popular price and size bracket for U.S. customers.
An expected starting price of just under $60,000 will undercut the three-row EX90 by almost $20,000. Three variants will be available, ranging from the 369-horsepower P6 to the 670-hp P12. The range is between 290 and 400 miles and it supports charging speeds of up to 400 kW.
These impressive specifications will see the EX60 clash with the new BMW iX3 and electric Mercedes-Benz GLC. As these models also have the latest charging tech, Volvo has made sure the EX60 can match them, as any competitive edge in this aspect could sway buyers one way or another.
What It Means
Volvo
Volvo has doubled down on electric SUVs in recent months. It no longer has combustion engine factories and has promised a new small EV for under $40,000 next year. With so much emphasis placed on electric models in its range, the Swedish brand needs to ensure they’re competitive in performance, range, charging speeds, and charging convenience. The EX60 is expected to become the manufacturer’s top-selling electric vehicle in the months ahead, and there are now no holes in its spec sheet. If the driving experience lives up to expectations and the software proves reliable, it should be one of the segment’s top contenders.
Related: Volvo Admits EX30 And EX90 Software Mistakes, Says EX60 Will Be Different
