Volvo EX30 EV Charging Cable

A conventional charger, which is worth saying about a Volvo

If you have read our Volvo plug-in hybrid pages you will know those cars are limited to 3.7 kW at a British house because their 6.4 kW charger needs two phases. The EX30 is not like that. It is a normal 11 kW three phase unit that delivers 7.4 kW on one phase, so a 32A cable is the right buy and nothing is lost to the supply beyond the usual.

On paper 11 kW, in a driveway 7.4 kW, and the difference is the supply rather than the car or the cable. The 69 kWh cars can be ordered with a 22 kW charger; the 51 kWh Single Motor cannot, and Fleet News notes it simply will not charge faster even on a 22 kW post. At home the distinction is irrelevant, because both give you 7.4 kW.

How long a full charge takes

The arithmetic is simple: kWh over kW, 13 per cent on top for losses, rounded to the nearest quarter hour. The miles column uses 3.5 miles per kWh, which holds up in winter as well as summer. Columns are the 51 kWh Single Motor at 49 kWh usable and the 69 kWh cars at 65 usable. Range runs from 209 miles on the Single Motor to 304 on the Extended Range and 280 on the Twin Motor Performance.

DC rapid charging is quick but the exact figure depends who you ask: Volvo quotes 150 kW on the Single Motor and 175 kW on the 69 kWh cars, while independent measurement puts the peaks nearer 134 and 158 kW. Either way a 10 to 80 per cent stop is around 28 minutes.

Which length for an EX30

The inlet is on the rear nearside, the left hand rear flank. Zapmap describes it as the passenger side rear flank, which on a right hand drive car means the left, and the position is fixed to the body.

The EX30 is only 4.23 metres long, which helps a great deal. Reverse onto a drive with the charge point on the left and 5 metres is generous. Nose in and the lead has to come round the car, but there is not much car, so 5 metres often still reaches; buy 10 if the charge point is set back from the bay. The honest way to choose is to measure the real parking position and allow two metres spare.

How these cables are built

The lead is an IEC 62196-2 design, CE marked, IP55 sealed against a British winter and rated from -30C to +50C.

The three pin unit is IEC 62752 compliant, CE marked, IP67 against water and rated -30C to +60C. It carries a two year manufacturer's warranty, ships free on next working day delivery, and can go back inside 30 days.

Also from Volvo: Volvo XC60 Recharge EV Charging Cable. The full range of Volvo charging cables is on one page. For a wall box or public post the lead is the Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable.

Volvo EX30 charging cable questions

What cable does a Volvo EX30 need?

A 32A single phase Type 2 to Type 2 cable. The 11 kW rating is a three phase figure and a British home supply delivers 7.4 kW, which a 32A lead carries.

How long does an EX30 take to charge at home?

From empty at 7.4 kW, about eight and a half hours for the 51 kWh Single Motor and eleven for the 69 kWh cars. An overnight window is worth roughly 180 miles.

Is the 22 kW option worth it?

Only with a three phase supply, and it is not available on the 51 kWh Single Motor at all. At a house every EX30 charges at 7.4 kW regardless.

Where does an EX30 plug in?

The rear nearside, on the left rear flank. That is the kerb side on a UK car, so reversing in with the charge point on the left is the easiest arrangement.