Slow T8 charging

[Forg]

Did you only ask Volvo about the power capacity of the onboard charger, or did you also ask with help to get it working properly? 'Cos if it were me I'd be asking their Tech Support people first (eg. in case there's some annoying setting inside a hard-to-find menu in the car's config) & then back to the dealer next (because it could even be something as silly as them having forgotten to update to the latest firmware(++) & it may be that firmware throttling the charge rate ).

Being such a new car, it's possible you're the first forum-member to experience this. Have you tried in the XC90 specific forum? There are a few people who don't bother with general topics & are only interested in those more technical/specific areas of the forum.

Aaand ... I'm totally out of any more "I don't know anything about XC90's" ideas I can throw out there.


*edit*
(++) Ah wait ... these things have "over the air" software updartes according to the US-based stuff I've seen, is the UK market the same & is yours on the latest & if you go to Settings / System / Software update is there a new version available?

[Mattyfocus]

Hi Forg, I’ve spoken to Volvo, who’ve been in touch with the tech team. And yes, it should be charging at 6.4, it’s booked into Volvo in a few weeks..

[Xian79]

Hi,
I have a similar question as well.
I am a new XC90 owner. The car was delivered end of Feb, built during the month of Jan'23.
I realized about this "new" on-board charger on the website but all manuals are still talking about a max recharge capability of 3.7kW ==> 5hrs vs the 3hrs published.

From some other websites I read this new charger will be installed only "during" 2023.. no clear info to be honest!

I tried to ask the dealer but my feeling is that he has no clue...
Maybe also a problem of communication as I am in Zurich, I do not speak german and both the dealer and myself are not English native speakers..

Anyway, how did you contact Volvo ?
If I check on the swiss Volvo website they just redirect you to the car dealers..


BTW - my XC90 pulls to the right.. they made the wheels alignment last week but still pulls to right.. they said they will write to "Volvo"...

BTW2 - Not sure if this can help but on the website it says the following if you want to benefit from the new recharger:
AC charging 3-phase 16A.*
* To benefit from the shorter charging times our new onboard charger can provide, you need to charge with a 3-phase charger.

[Mattyfocus]

I just went into the dealership, spoke to the sales manager. I looked it up, and agreed that it should be 6.4. He then followed it up with a call to technical, who agreed. I’ll know more in a few weeks when I drop it off for them to look at. The Autocar review clearly states it’s 6.4, as does the Top Gear one. As does the Volvo website.

[SSmith86]

Matty I'm in the same boat as you here 1st March delivery and same issue
I've also raised with Volvo and got nowhere can you let us know how you fare as we need answers.
They should be charging at 6.4kw and neither is mine tried on both a 7.2 and 22kw charger we have at work which I know charge quicker on other vehicles we own

[Mattyfocus]

Will do SS Smith, it’s going to be a few weeks before I get to drop the car off at the dealer. But my local dealer (Bristol) has confirmed that it should be charging at 6.4. Sales manager was helpful at least..

[Forg]

If it's a bug in the software & everyone's complaining about it, it may "magically" fix itself the next time you install a software update. Assuming it's already up-to-date.

[EasyTiger75]

I have a theory about this, the official information on the Volvo website describes the XC60 as having a 'new 6.4kW 2-phase onboard charger'. My understanding is that to take advantage of this you will need a 3 phase charger (11 or 22kW) which most home chargers don't aren't because the property lacks a 3 phase power supply. The onboard charger can use 2 phases to neutral (2 x 3.2kW) but in the case of single phase 7kW charger will just use a single phase (3.2kW).

To make matters worse I have just checked the charging cable that is included with the 2023 XC60 demonstrator I currently have on loan, and that is marked as a single phase cable so even if you were to connect this to a 3 phase 11 or 22kW charger then your charge rate would still be limited to 3.2kW.

I have access to a 3 phase cable and a 22kW charger at work so will try and test this theory if I get a chance before I have to return the vehicle.

[Mattyfocus]

Thanks Easy Tiger. That would make sense, although I’ve tried it at a Shell Re-charge, and a motorway charge point, both capable of 22kw, so I assume 3 phase built in cable coming from charger, and still only getting a low charge. Do let me know what happens with the phase you have at work though. Can you buy a 3phase cable? It’s a good thought..

[GMcL]

Have you looked on the inverter ? There should be a sticker on it telling you what it is capable of.
Plugging into a DC fast charger the BMS handles the load direct to the battery, for AC the inverter determines the load speed. I've never come across an EV rated higher than 11kW for AC charging. My home charger can run up to 22kW the car has an 11kW inverter, the charger usually shows around 10.68kW when charging. I'm not aware of the load speed ramping up and down on AC like the BMS does on DC.