T8 Charging Question

[allycat]

I have just taken delivery of a new T8 Hybrid XC90 and wondered if someone can clear up a charging question for me. I am planning on getting a charging point installed at home with a tethered cable so it is easy to just drive in, connect and forget.

I know that the max current the XC90 will charge on is 16A, but I have the option of putting in a 16A or 32A charging point. I am thinking ahead in case I change in the future to a 32A capable vehicle which I will want to charge at home. The installer is telling me that I can use either since the car will only draw 16A even if 32A is available, but i was hoping someone here can confirm that view for me. I want to make sure I won't damage my new magic blue baby !

thanks for your views

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by allycat

I have just taken delivery of a new T8 Hybrid XC90 and wondered if someone can clear up a charging question for me. I am planning on getting a charging point installed at home with a tethered cable so it is easy to just drive in, connect and forget.

I know that the max current the XC90 will charge on is 16A, but I have the option of putting in a 16A or 32A charging point. I am thinking ahead in case I change in the future to a 32A capable vehicle which I will want to charge at home. The installer is telling me that I can use either since the car will only draw 16A even if 32A is available, but i was hoping someone here can confirm that view for me. I want to make sure I won't damage my new magic blue baby !

thanks for your views

The POD point is available in various capacities, as you rightly point out. There was a 3.7kw one (16amp), then 7kw (32amp), 11kw and I think 22kw.

My understanding is that a bigger one will be more expensive, and will have an element of future proofing, but will be fine to charge a car like the T8. it won't damage it, it just wont charge any faster.

BUT - I would save your money. The car comes with a charger and lead in the boot which will charge almost as fast as it will on the POD point. The POD point will do a full charge in about 2.5 hours the lead in the boot will do it in about 3.5 hours. And the lead in the boot only needs a standard 3 pin 13a plug. Just spend a tenner on a couple of hooks to tidy up the cable and the charging box and you are good to go.

And the charging tech will advance like anything else so who knows if your uprated charger will be compatible with a future purchase.

[allycat]

Thanks Philip, I have the car already and am charging it using the included cable already through an extension lead which is not a long term solution as it has to be unwound to prevent overheating. The included cable is pretty short also, not even the full length of the car, which is restrictive and the price of a longer 13A plugged cable and control unit is more than a proper installed 16A charger !

Unfortunately I don't have room to park the beast in our garage and I don't already have an external power supply near the drive so do need something putting in externally and so I might as well put the proper kit in, especially as work will pay for it ! I do charge it at work most of the time so it's on the company bill, but do need the ability to charge at home also.

[shortword]

I put a 32a charger at home and 2 x 32a chargers in work for good measure. The 'granny' cable that you got is fine, but I'd have thought it'd take longer than 3.5h to charge at 10a tbh. But then again maybe not.

The car will only draw what it needs so you won't be able to damage it.

Paul