Volvo EX90 Charging at Lidl Charging

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.

Pricing confusion at the charger

Lidl charging policies vary by country and store. Some locations have promotional rates, while others charge standard per-kWh fees. The rules can change without much notice.

Symptoms

• Charging session costs more than expected
• Different Lidl stores seem to have different pricing
• Session stops after a time limit you did not expect
• App shows different terms than what you experienced last time

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the pricing terms at the specific store

   Pricing varies by location and country. Look at the signage near the charger or check the app before you start. Do not assume the same terms apply at all Lidl stores.

2. 2

   Set a timer on your phone

   If the location has a time limit, start a timer when you begin charging so you know when to return to your car.

3. 3

   Check if idle fees apply

   Some Lidl locations charge idle fees if your car remains plugged in after charging completes. Move your car promptly when the session ends.

4. 4

   Do not rely on supermarket chargers for a full charge

   Supermarket charging is best for a quick top-up while shopping. If you need to charge from low battery to 80%, plan for a dedicated fast charging station where you can stay longer without restrictions.

Charger occupied by ICE vehicles

Non-electric cars park in the EV charging spots because they are close to the store entrance. This is a persistent problem at supermarket locations.

Symptoms

• Petrol or diesel car parked in the marked EV charging bay
• Car parked so close to the charger that you cannot access the cable
• All EV spots taken by non-electric vehicles
• Shopping cart corral or delivery truck blocking access to the charger

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check if the parking is enforced

   Some Lidl locations have clear EV-only signage with towing warnings. Others just have painted markings that are easy to ignore. If there is a parking management company sign, you can report the ICE vehicle.

2. 2

   Ask at the Lidl store

   Store staff may be willing to make an announcement. They deal with parking issues regularly and some stores have processes for this.

3. 3

   Wait or shop first

   Supermarket parking turns over quickly. A 20-minute shopping trip may be enough for the spot to clear.

4. 4

   Find the nearest alternative

   Check for another Lidl or a nearby public charger. In urban areas, there is often another option within a few minutes.

Charging power reduced during peak store hours

The charger delivers noticeably less power during busy shopping times. The station may share its electrical supply with the store itself, reducing available power for EV charging.

Symptoms

• Charging speed is significantly slower during Saturday morning or lunch rush
• Dashboard shows 30 to 50 kW at a charger rated for 150 kW
• Speed improves noticeably during quieter hours
• Two cars charging simultaneously both receive low power

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check your battery level and temperature first

   Before blaming the charger, confirm your battery is not above 80% (where speed drops naturally) and not cold. These are the most common reasons for slow charging regardless of location.

2. 2

   Try charging during off-peak hours

   If your schedule allows, charge early morning or in the evening when the store is less busy. Power allocation to the charger may increase when store demand drops.

3. 3

   Check if another vehicle is sharing the power unit

   Some Lidl chargers share power between two connectors. If both are in use, each vehicle gets roughly half the rated power. If one car finishes, your speed may increase.

4. 4

   Accept the lower speed if you are shopping anyway

   Even at 50 kW, you gain about 50 km of range every 10 minutes. If you are shopping for 30 minutes, that is still a meaningful top-up.

App needed for troubleshooting but not normally required

Lidl chargers generally work with contactless payment or a charging card. But when something goes wrong, you may need the operator's app to diagnose the problem or start a session manually.

Symptoms

• Contactless payment failed and there is no other way to start
• Charger shows an error code you do not understand
• You want to check real-time status but the charger screen is unhelpful
• QR code on the charger leads to an app you do not have installed

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Scan the QR code on the charger

   This usually opens the operator's web interface or app store page. Lidl chargers are operated by different companies depending on the country (Compleo, Allego, E.ON, and others).

2. 2

   Note the operator name on the charger

   The charging operator is printed on the charger unit, usually near the base or on the payment terminal. Search for their app if you need to start a session or report a fault.

3. 3

   Try a roaming app

   Apps like Chargemap, Shell Recharge, or Plugsurfing often have roaming access to Lidl chargers. If the contactless reader is broken, starting through a roaming app may work.

4. 4

   Call the support number on the charger

   There is almost always a phone number on the charger unit for the operator's helpline. They can sometimes start or reset a session remotely.

Charger placement blocks adjacent parking spots

Some Lidl charger installations make it difficult to park in adjacent spots when a car is plugged in. The cable or the charger unit itself can obstruct neighboring bays.

Symptoms

• Your charging cable stretches across the next parking spot
• Parked car at the charger blocks you from entering the adjacent bay
• Cable does not reach your charge port without parking at an awkward angle
• Other shoppers complain about the cable crossing the walkway

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Park with your charge port closest to the charger

   Know which side of your car the charge port is on. If possible, pull in from the direction that puts the port nearest to the cable. This keeps the cable short and out of the way.

2. 2

   Route the cable over your car if needed

   If the cable must cross to the opposite side, drape it over the hood or roof rather than across the ground where people walk. Most DC cables are long enough for this.

3. 3

   Use the spot that causes the least obstruction

   If multiple charging spots are available, choose the one where your charge port alignment minimizes cable stretch across other bays.

4. 4

   Be mindful of the time limit

   Do not leave your car plugged in longer than necessary. In a tight parking lot, a plugged-in car blocking adjacent spots is more frustrating than one that is simply parked.