Volvo EX90 Charging at Iberdrola

Volvo EX90 Plugged In but the Charger Will Not Start

You connected the cable to your Volvo EX90 and nothing happens. No charging indicator on the screen, no confirmation from the charger. The EX90 supports Plug & Charge and multiple authentication methods, but when none of them work, you need to troubleshoot step by step.

Symptoms

• Charger displays an error after plugging in the EX90
• Charge port LED does not light up or stays amber
• 14.5-inch center screen shows no active charging session
• Charger screen says 'waiting for vehicle' or shows a timeout
• CCS connector plugs in but does not lock into the charge port

What to Do

1. 1

   Authenticate with the charger

   Check the charger's screen for payment instructions. Tap your RFID card, open the charging network's app, or use contactless payment. Plug & Charge should activate automatically on supported networks, but if it does not, use manual authentication.

2. 2

   Check the charge port on the left rear

   Open the charge port door fully. Check for ice, snow, or debris. In winter, gently clear any obstructions. Make sure the port cover is not partially blocking the connector.

3. 3

   Seat the connector firmly

   Push the CCS2 connector straight into the port until it clicks and locks. If it will not lock, pull it out and try again. Check that the connector pins are clean and undamaged.

4. 4

   Turn off scheduled charging

   On the center screen, go to Settings, then Charging. If a charging schedule is active, disable it or switch to 'charge immediately.' This is a common reason charging will not start at public chargers.

5. 5

   Restart the charging process

   Unplug the connector, lock and unlock the car using the Volvo Cars app or key, wait 15 seconds, then plug in again. This resets the charging communication.

Volvo EX90 Charger Payment Failed or Card Declined

You are at a public charger with your Volvo EX90 and the payment will not go through. The card reader rejects your card, the app throws an error, or Plug & Charge just does not activate. Payment issues at public chargers are one of the most common frustrations, and they have nothing to do with your car's charging system.

Symptoms

• Charger screen shows 'payment failed' or 'card declined'
• Plug & Charge does not activate when you connect the cable
• Charging app shows a payment error or insufficient balance
• Contactless payment terminal does not respond
• You cannot find any way to pay at the charger

What to Do

1. 1

   Check Plug & Charge status in the Volvo Cars app

   Open the Volvo Cars app and verify that Plug & Charge is enabled with a valid payment method. If the network supports it, try unplugging and reconnecting. If not, proceed to manual payment.

2. 2

   Try a different payment method

   Use a different credit or debit card, your phone's mobile wallet, or the charging network's app. Having multiple options avoids being stuck when one fails.

3. 3

   Check for pre-authorization holds

   Open your banking app and look for pending charges from the charging network. Multiple failed attempts may have placed several holds, reducing your available balance. Contact your bank if needed.

4. 4

   Use the charging network's app instead

   Find the network name on the charger. Download their app, create an account, add a payment method, and start the session through the app. This bypasses the physical payment terminal entirely.

5. 5

   Tap your RFID charging card

   If you carry an RFID card from a charging provider or roaming service, tap it on the charger's card reader. RFID cards are often more reliable than apps or contactless terminals.

Volvo EX90 Charging Slower Than Expected at DC or AC

You plugged in your Volvo EX90 expecting 250 kW and the 14.5-inch screen shows 60 kW. Or your wallbox is only delivering 3 kW instead of 11 kW. The EX90 has one of the fastest charging speeds in its class, but reaching that peak depends on battery temperature, state of charge, and the charger itself.

Symptoms

• DC fast charging speed well below the 250 kW maximum
• AC home charging stuck at 3-4 kW instead of 11 kW
• Charging speed drops sharply after reaching 40-50%
• Center screen shows lower power than the charger's rated output
• Charging session starts strong but slows down within 10 minutes

What to Do

1. 1

   Set the charger as your navigation destination

   Use Google Maps on the 14.5-inch center screen to navigate to the charging station. The EX90 will start preconditioning the battery automatically during the drive, preparing it for peak charging speed.

2. 2

   Check the charger's rated power

   Before plugging in, check the charger's label or the app for its maximum output. If the charger is rated at 150 kW, your EX90 cannot charge faster than 150 kW regardless of its 250 kW capability.

3. 3

   Check your state of charge

   For the fastest charging, arrive between 10-20%. The EX90's peak speeds are available at lower states of charge. Above 80%, charging will slow significantly.

4. 4

   Verify the charger is not sharing power

   Many chargers split power between two connectors. If someone is using the adjacent stall, both cars get reduced speeds. Move to a charger with both stalls free.

5. 5

   Check AC charge current settings

   If charging slowly on AC, check the EX90's settings to ensure the charge current limiter is set to maximum. Also verify your wallbox is properly wired for 3-phase.

6. 6

   Try a higher-powered charger

   To take advantage of the EX90's 250 kW capability, look for chargers rated at 300 kW or higher. These are available from networks like Ionity, Fastned, and others.

App defaults to Spanish

The Iberdrola app opens in Spanish regardless of your phone's language setting. Finding the language switch can be confusing if you do not read Spanish.

Symptoms

• All app text is in Spanish after installation
• Language setting is not obvious in the menus
• Error messages and charger instructions appear only in Spanish
• Switching your phone's language does not change the app

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Open the app settings and look for 'Idioma'

   'Idioma' means 'Language' in Spanish. It is usually under the profile or settings menu (gear icon). Tap it and select English or your preferred language.

2. 2

   Check the profile or account section

   Some versions of the Iberdrola app place the language selector inside the user profile rather than in general settings. Look for your name or account icon at the top of the screen.

3. 3

   Update the app to the latest version

   Iberdrola has been improving multi-language support. Older versions may not have your language available. Update from the App Store or Google Play.

4. 4

   Use a roaming app as a backup

   If the language barrier is too frustrating, roaming apps like Chargemap, Shell Recharge, or Electropass work at many Iberdrola stations and offer broader language support.

Contactless payment session timeout

After tapping your card on an Iberdrola charger, there is a short window to plug in the cable and start charging. If you take too long, the session times out and you need to tap again.

Symptoms

• You tapped your card but by the time you connected the cable, nothing happened
• Charger screen shows 'Session expired' or returns to the start screen
• You were charged a pre-authorization but no energy was delivered
• The charger seemed ready but then went back to idle

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Plug in the cable first, then tap your card

   At Iberdrola stations, connect the cable to your vehicle before tapping your contactless card. This gives the charger the best chance to start immediately after authentication.

2. 2

   Tap your card again and act quickly

   After the tap, you typically have 60 to 90 seconds to complete the connection. If you missed the window, tap again. The pre-authorization from the first attempt will be released.

3. 3

   Use the Iberdrola app instead

   The app does not have the same time pressure. You can connect the cable, open the app, select the charger, and start at your own pace.

4. 4

   Check your bank statement for ghost charges

   Failed contactless attempts may show a pre-authorization hold. These are not actual charges and typically release within 3 to 7 business days. Contact your bank if they persist.

Confusing signage at gas station locations

Some Iberdrola chargers are located at gas stations (Repsol, Cepsa, or others). The EV charging area may not be clearly separated from the fuel pumps, and signage can be confusing.

Symptoms

• You cannot find the EV chargers at the gas station
• GPS directs you to the fuel pumps instead of the charging area
• Signage points to 'carga' or 'recarga' but the direction is unclear
• The charging spots are behind the gas station building or in an overflow lot

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Look for the charging area separate from the fuel pumps

   EV chargers at gas stations are almost always in a dedicated area away from the fuel pumps. Look for tall charger cabinets (about 2 meters high) rather than fuel dispensers.

2. 2

   Drive past the fuel pump area

   The charging area is often behind the main building, in a side lot, or at the far end of the property. Drive through the station slowly and look for the Iberdrola or charging network signage.

3. 3

   Ask the gas station attendant

   If the station has staff, ask where the electric charging points are. In Spanish, 'Donde estan los cargadores electricos?' gets the point across.

4. 4

   Check the Iberdrola app for station photos

   The station detail page in the Iberdrola app sometimes includes photos or access instructions that help you find the chargers within a larger gas station complex.

Mix of slow and fast chargers at the same station

Some Iberdrola stations have both AC chargers (7 to 22 kW) and DC fast chargers (50 to 350 kW) next to each other. It is easy to plug into a slow charger by mistake if you are not paying attention.

Symptoms

• You expected fast charging but your dashboard shows only 7 or 22 kW
• The charger you plugged into looks smaller than the others at the station
• You used a Type 2 cable instead of a CCS2 connector
• The charging session is going to take hours instead of minutes

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the charger label for power output

   Iberdrola chargers display their rated power (e.g., 50 kW, 150 kW, 350 kW) on the unit. Look for this label before plugging in. AC chargers (7 to 22 kW) are typically smaller and have Type 2 sockets.

2. 2

   Use the CCS2 connector for fast charging

   The CCS2 connector is the large combined plug for DC fast charging. If you used the smaller Type 2 plug (round with pins), you are on AC and will charge slowly.

3. 3

   Check the Iberdrola app for charger details

   The app shows each charger unit's power level at a station. Before plugging in, confirm which unit is the high-power DC charger.

4. 4

   Unplug and move to the fast charger

   If you accidentally started an AC session, stop the session in the app, unplug, and move to the DC fast charger. You will not be charged a penalty for a short session.

Power delivery varies by time of day

Some Iberdrola stations deliver noticeably less power during peak grid hours (typically early evening). This is due to grid constraints, not a charger fault.

Symptoms

• Charging speed is significantly lower in the evening than the same station delivered in the morning
• Speed starts high but drops during peak hours even at low battery levels
• Other vehicles at the station also show reduced speeds at the same time
• The charger does not reach its rated power despite your vehicle supporting it

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check your battery level first

   The most common reason for reduced charging speed is a battery above 60 to 80% state of charge. Your vehicle limits the charging rate at higher battery levels regardless of the charger's capability.

2. 2

   Try charging during off-peak hours

   If your schedule allows, charge during late evening (after 10 PM) or early morning. Grid demand is lower and the station can deliver its full rated power.

3. 3

   Check for power sharing between chargers

   If multiple chargers are in use at the same station, they may share a grid connection. Charging when fewer vehicles are plugged in can improve your speed.

4. 4

   Try a different station nearby

   Not all Iberdrola stations have the same grid connection. A station a few kilometers away may have a better power supply and deliver higher speeds during peak hours.

5. 5

   Accept the reduced speed if you are above 60%

   If your battery is above 60%, the speed reduction is mostly from your vehicle's battery management, not the grid. This is normal and protects your battery's long-term health.