Volvo EX40 Charging at REWE Charging

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.

Charger occupied by non-charging vehicles

You arrive at the REWE charger and a car is parked in the charging spot without being plugged in. This is common at supermarket locations where shoppers treat EV spots as regular parking.

Symptoms

• Charging spot is occupied by a car with no cable connected
• ICE vehicle parked in the EV charging bay
• Car is plugged in but session has clearly ended and the driver is inside shopping
• All charging spots taken despite the app showing the charger as available

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check if the other car is actively charging

   Look at the charger display or connector. If the session has ended and the car is just parked, REWE cannot remotely move it. The app status reflects the charger, not the parking spot.

2. 2

   Ask at the REWE customer service desk

   REWE staff can sometimes make a store announcement asking the vehicle owner to move. This works more often than you would expect.

3. 3

   Wait briefly or shop first

   At supermarket chargers, turnover is high. Most shoppers leave within 30 to 45 minutes. Do your shopping and check again.

4. 4

   Check for additional REWE locations nearby

   Many German cities have multiple REWE stores with chargers within a short drive. Check the app for the next closest option.

Contactless card reader not responding

You tap your debit or credit card on the reader but nothing happens. The reader does not beep, does not show a light, or shows an error briefly before resetting.

Symptoms

• Card reader shows no response when you tap
• Reader beeps but the screen shows an error
• Card works at the REWE checkout inside but not at the charger
• Contactless symbol is visible on the reader but it seems inactive

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Hold your card flat against the reader for 3 to 5 seconds

   Some REWE charger readers are slower than store payment terminals. Hold the card still and wait for the full processing time.

2. 2

   Remove your phone and other cards from the area

   If you hold your wallet with multiple contactless cards near the reader, it may detect interference and reject the transaction.

3. 3

   Try the charging app instead

   If contactless is not working, start the session through the REWE charging partner app. This bypasses the physical card reader entirely.

4. 4

   Check if the reader is physically damaged

   Supermarket chargers are exposed to shopping carts, weather, and heavy foot traffic. If the reader looks cracked or the screen is damaged, report it to REWE staff inside and try another stall if available.

Session ends due to maximum stay time limit

Your charging session stops before the battery is full because REWE enforces a maximum parking time at the charging spot. This exists to keep spots available for other shoppers.

Symptoms

• Charging stops after 60 to 90 minutes even though the battery is not full
• App notification says session ended due to time limit
• You return from shopping to find the charger disconnected
• Charger screen shows session completed despite low battery level

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the posted time limit before you start

   REWE typically allows 60 to 120 minutes depending on the location. Look for signage near the charger or check the app for time restrictions at that specific store.

2. 2

   Plan your charge around your shopping time

   At up to 300 kW, most EVs can gain 150 to 250 km of range in 30 to 45 minutes. A normal grocery run is usually enough time for a meaningful charge.

3. 3

   Move your car if you need more time

   If you need a longer session, move your car to a regular parking spot after the time limit and start a new session if the charger is free when you return.

4. 4

   Use REWE chargers for top-ups, not full charges

   Supermarket chargers work best for adding range while you shop, not for charging from 10% to 100%. If you need a full charge, plan for a dedicated fast charging station.

Poor mobile signal in underground or garage parking

Some REWE stores have chargers in basement or covered parking areas where mobile signal is weak. This can prevent the app from starting a session or processing contactless payments.

Symptoms

• App shows 'No connection' or spins without loading
• Contactless payment times out during processing
• You cannot scan the QR code on the charger because the page will not load
• Session starts but the app loses connection and cannot show charging status

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Connect to REWE store WiFi if available

   Many REWE stores offer free WiFi that may reach the parking area. Check for a REWE network in your phone's WiFi settings.

2. 2

   Walk closer to the garage entrance to start the session

   If you need the app to start the session, walk toward the exit where signal is stronger, start the session remotely, then return to your car.

3. 3

   Use contactless payment instead of the app

   Contactless card payments are processed through the charger's built-in connection, not your phone. If the card reader works, you do not need mobile signal.

4. 4

   Pre-load the app before entering the garage

   Open the app and navigate to the station page while you still have signal. Some apps cache enough data to start a session even with intermittent connectivity.

Charger unavailable outside store hours

You arrive at a REWE charger outside store opening hours and the charger is inaccessible or powered down. Some locations gate their parking areas or shut down chargers when the store closes.

Symptoms

• Parking area gate is locked and you cannot reach the charger
• Charger screen is dark and does not respond
• App shows the charger as available but the physical location is closed
• Barrier arm blocks entry to the parking lot after closing time

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check store hours before planning a charge

   REWE stores in Germany typically close between 20:00 and 22:00 on weekdays and earlier on Saturdays. Most are closed on Sundays. If the charger is behind a gate, you cannot access it outside these hours.

2. 2

   Verify 24/7 access in the app

   Some REWE charging locations offer 24/7 access even when the store is closed. Check the station details in the app. If it does not mention 24-hour access, assume it follows store hours.

3. 3

   Leave the parking area before the store closes

   If you are charging and the store is about to close, make sure you can exit the parking area. Some locations lock the barrier after closing, which could trap your car overnight.

4. 4

   Find an alternative nearby charger

   Use a multi-network app like Chargemap or the EVcourse charger finder to locate a 24/7 charger nearby. Dedicated charging stations along main roads usually operate around the clock.