Volvo rolls out Plug & Charge across EV range for 2025

Volvo will introduce the contactless Plug & Charge system to its all-electric EC30, EX30, and EX40 later this year.

Plug & Charge is an authentication and billing system that simplifies the charging experience by removing the need for a payment card. Until now, the Swedish brand’s only EV to come with the system was its flagship EX90 SUV.

Plug & Charge is set up and activated via the car, and compatible charging stations can be found using Google Maps in the car’s centre display or the Volvo Cars app.

These stations identify the car and its associated payment method as soon as it is connected to the car’s charging cable. The charging starts automatically with no need for additional cards or authentication.

“With Plug & Charge, you just drive up to a compatible charging station, hop out, plug in and go about your day,” said Volvo’s chief product and strategy officer, Erik Severinson.

“When you’re back, it’s the same approach, as everything has already been sorted by the system.”

The introduction of Plug & Charge was part of Volvo’s announcement that later in 2025, it will be rolling out an ultra-fast Qualcomm Snapdragon-based version of its infotainment to 2.5 million customers around the globe.

The updated system is called Volvo Car UX, and already exists on the EX30, EX90, and XC90. When introduced, it will be available on XC40, EX40, EC40, V60 and V90 models built from 2020 onwards.

Volvo Car UX places the driver’s most-used apps on the home screen for quicker access. A ‘contextual bar’ is updated depending on the car’s surrounding situation.

The driver display located behind the steering wheel has also been updated with a larger and clearer navigation view.