Volvo EX40 Charging at EnergyVision

Volvo EX40 Plugged In but the Charger Will Not Start

You plugged the cable into your Volvo EX40 and nothing happens. No charging animation on the center screen, no LED on the charger, or the charger shows an error. This is one of the most common frustrations at public chargers and is usually caused by authentication, the charge port, or the charger itself.

Symptoms

• Charger displays an error code or flashing red light after plugging in
• Charge port LED on the EX40 does not turn on or stays amber
• Google Built-In display shows no active charging session
• Charger screen says 'waiting for vehicle' or 'authentication failed'
• Cable is plugged in but the connector does not lock into the charge port

What to Do

1. 1

   Check if authentication is required

   Look at the charger's screen. Most public chargers need you to tap an RFID card, scan a QR code, or start the session through an app before charging begins. Plug & Charge works on some networks but not all.

2. 2

   Open the charge port fully

   Make sure the charge port door on the left rear of your EX40 is fully open. Press the edge of the door to release it if it is stuck. Clear any ice or debris in cold weather.

3. 3

   Push the connector in firmly

   Insert the CCS connector straight into the port and push until you hear a click. The connector should lock in place. If it will not lock, do not force it. Check for debris in the port.

4. 4

   Disable scheduled charging

   On the center display, go to Settings, then Charging. Check if a charging schedule is active. Turn it off or set it to 'charge immediately' to start charging at a public charger.

5. 5

   Unplug and try again

   Disconnect the cable, wait 10 seconds, and plug in again. Sometimes the communication handshake between car and charger fails on the first attempt and a retry resolves it.

6. 6

   Try a different charger or connector

   If the charger still will not start, move to a different stall or station. The charger may have an internal fault even if no error is displayed.

Volvo EX40 Charger Payment Failed or Card Declined

You are standing at a charger with your Volvo EX40, ready to charge, and the payment does not go through. Your card is declined, the app shows an error, or you cannot figure out how to pay at all. Payment problems at public chargers are one of the most common frustrations and usually have nothing to do with your car.

Symptoms

• Charger screen shows 'payment failed' or 'card declined'
• Charging app shows an error when trying to start a session
• No visible way to pay at the charger
• Contactless payment terminal does not respond to your card or phone
• Plug & Charge does not activate and the charger waits for payment

What to Do

1. 1

   Check if Plug & Charge is active

   Open the Volvo Cars app and check if Plug & Charge is enabled and linked to a payment method. If it is active, try unplugging and replugging the connector. Plug & Charge works only on supported networks.

2. 2

   Try a different payment method

   If your card was declined, try a different card, your phone's mobile wallet, or the charger network's app. Many chargers accept multiple payment options.

3. 3

   Check your card for pre-authorization holds

   Open your banking app and check for pending charges. If there are multiple holds from earlier charging attempts, your available balance may be too low. Call your bank to release them if needed.

4. 4

   Download the charger network's app

   Look at the charger for the network name or logo. Download their app, create an account, add a payment method, and start the session through the app instead of the charger's payment terminal.

5. 5

   Use an RFID charging card

   If you have an RFID card from a charging provider, tap it on the charger's reader. RFID cards work even when apps and contactless terminals fail. They are a reliable backup.

Volvo EX40 Charging Slower Than Expected at DC or AC

You plugged in your Volvo EX40 expecting 150 kW and the center screen shows 30 kW. Or your home wallbox is stuck at 3 kW instead of 11 kW. Slow charging on the EX40 is almost never a defect. It is usually the battery temperature, the charger itself, or a setting in the Volvo Cars app you can fix quickly.

Symptoms

• DC fast charging speed well below the 150 kW maximum
• AC home charging stuck at 3-4 kW instead of 11 kW
• Charging speed drops sharply after reaching 50-60%
• Google Built-In display shows lower power than the charger's rating
• Charging session starts at a reasonable speed but slows within minutes

What to Do

1. 1

   Check the battery temperature on the display

   Look at the charging screen on the EX40's center display (Google Built-In). If the battery is cold, drive for 15-20 minutes before charging or use the Volvo Cars app to start preconditioning before you arrive.

2. 2

   Use navigation to precondition the battery

   Set the charger as your destination in Google Maps on the center screen. The EX40 will automatically precondition the battery during the drive so it reaches optimal temperature for fast charging.

3. 3

   Check your state of charge

   If you are above 80%, the slower speed is normal. For fastest DC charging, arrive between 10-20% and charge to 80%. The last 20% takes as long as the first 80%.

4. 4

   Verify the charger is not sharing power

   Look at the charging unit. If there are two cables and someone is using the other one, you are likely sharing power. Move to a charger where both stalls are free.

5. 5

   Check the AC charge current setting

   In the EX40's settings menu, check that the charge current limiter is set to maximum. A reduced setting limits AC charging speed and is sometimes changed accidentally.

6. 6

   Try a different charger

   If the speed is still low, the charger itself may be degraded. Try a different connector at the same station, or drive to another charging location.

Session won't start or authentication fails

You try to start a session through the EnergyVision app or charge card, but the charger does not respond or shows an error.

Symptoms

• The app will not connect to the charger or keeps loading
• Your RFID charge card is not recognized
• You have no mobile data at the station location
• The charger screen shows an error after authentication

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Install and set up the EnergyVision app before you travel

   Create your account and add a payment method at home, on a reliable internet connection. Do not try to set up the app for the first time at a station with weak signal.

2. 2

   Try a different authentication method

   If the app is not working, try your EnergyVision charge card (RFID) instead, or vice versa. Having both options available increases your chances of starting a session.

3. 3

   Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data

   Some apps struggle with certain network configurations. Toggle your phone's Wi-Fi off (or on, if a nearby network is available) and try again. Sometimes a network switch forces the app to reconnect.

4. 4

   Restart the app and your phone

   Close the app completely (not just minimize), reopen it, and try again. If that fails, restart your phone.

5. 5

   Have a backup charging app ready

   Always carry a second charging app from a larger network. If EnergyVision is not working, you need to find an alternative charger from another operator.

Limited station coverage

EnergyVision has fewer stations than major networks. This means longer distances between chargers and fewer alternatives if a station is broken or occupied.

Symptoms

• The app shows very few stations along your route
• The nearest EnergyVision station is 50 km or more away
• You arrived at the only EnergyVision station in the area and it is out of order
• There is no second EnergyVision charger to fall back to

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Never rely on EnergyVision as your only charging option

   Plan your route with at least one alternative network at each stop. EnergyVision stations are a bonus when they work, but their spacing means you cannot depend on them exclusively.

2. 2

   Install apps for larger networks in the same region

   Identify which major networks operate near EnergyVision stations (Ionity, Shell Recharge, Fastned, or regional operators). Install their apps so you can switch quickly if needed.

3. 3

   Use a multi-network route planner

   A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) or similar tools show chargers from all operators. Plan your stops based on all available chargers, not just one network. EnergyVision stations will appear where they exist.

4. 4

   Charge a little extra at reliable stations before entering sparse areas

   If your next stop is an EnergyVision station in an area with few alternatives, charge to 90% at the station before it instead of the usual 80%. The extra buffer gives you range to reach a different charger if the EnergyVision station is down.

Different charger hardware at different locations

EnergyVision uses charger units from different manufacturers at different stations. This means the physical interface, cable handling, and screen layout vary from one station to the next.

Symptoms

• The charger at this station looks completely different from the last EnergyVision station you used
• The connector release mechanism works differently than expected
• The charger screen layout does not match what you see in the app
• Error codes or messages are in a different format than at other EnergyVision stations

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the charger unit for basic instructions

   Most charger manufacturers print basic instructions on the unit itself: where to plug in, how to release the connector, and where the emergency stop button is. Take a moment to read these, as they vary between manufacturers.

2. 2

   Start the session through the app, not the charger screen

   Regardless of the charger hardware, the EnergyVision app is the consistent interface. Start and stop sessions through the app. The charger screen is secondary.

3. 3

   If the connector release is different, check for a button or lever

   Some charger manufacturers use a push-button release, others use a lever, and some release automatically when the session ends. Look at the connector handle and the charger unit for release instructions.

4. 4

   Report hardware-specific problems in the app

   If a charger unit from a specific manufacturer is repeatedly problematic, report it through the EnergyVision app. Include details about what happened so the support team can pass it to the hardware vendor.

App not available in all app stores or regions

Smaller networks sometimes have app availability issues. The EnergyVision app may not appear in your app store if your account is set to a country where EnergyVision does not operate.

Symptoms

• You search for 'EnergyVision' in your app store and no results appear
• The app is listed but marked as 'not available in your country'
• You found the app but it will not install on your phone model
• A link to the app store listing leads to a 'not found' page

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the EnergyVision website for the correct app name and link

   The app may be listed under a slightly different name in some app stores. Visit the EnergyVision website on your phone and look for a direct download link that opens the correct store listing.

2. 2

   Check your app store country setting

   If your App Store or Google Play account is set to a country where EnergyVision does not operate, the app may be hidden. You can check this in your store account settings.

3. 3

   Check if a roaming app supports EnergyVision stations

   Some roaming platforms include smaller networks. Search for the station location in a roaming app (like Chargemap or Octopus Electroverse) to see if you can start a session through a third-party app instead.

4. 4

   Contact EnergyVision support for alternative access

   If you cannot install the app, contact EnergyVision through their website. They may have a web-based session starter or be able to suggest a roaming provider that includes their stations.

Slower support response times

As a smaller operator, EnergyVision may have fewer support staff than major networks. Response times for non-urgent issues can be longer, and phone support may have limited hours.

Symptoms

• You reported an issue through the app and have not heard back
• The support phone number goes to voicemail or has limited hours
• You need help at a station but cannot reach anyone
• Your email to support has not been answered after several days

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Use the app's support feature for the fastest response

   In-app support requests typically get prioritized over emails sent to a general address. If the app has a help, chat, or report issue option, use that first.

2. 2

   Include all relevant details in your first message

   To avoid back-and-forth that stretches across days, include: station location, charger ID (printed on the unit), time of the issue, what happened, and any error messages. Screenshots help.

3. 3

   Do not wait at a broken charger for support to respond

   If a charger is not working and support is not answering, move on. Report the issue through the app and drive to the next available charger from any network. Waiting at a broken charger hoping for a callback is not practical.

4. 4

   For billing disputes, document everything

   Screenshot your charging session details (from the app), note the charger ID and time, and save any error messages. If you were charged for a failed session, this documentation helps you get a refund when support responds.