Volvo adds Charge-Point EV charging app to Google infotainment system

This is kinda cool and sort of expected. Who would have thunkit that Volvo would be the one to introduce the new ChargePoint app that allows you to not only find a place to charge your EV, but to also handle the payment transaction from inside your car...on the infotainment screen. Yeah, I know you can handle this on your phone, but now you don't even have to do that. Of course the Google Android Auto OS used in new Volvos makes synchronization with your phone extremely easy, but I guess you can take consolation that the screen is bigger and easier to read. Volvo's Recharge EVs will be the first to get the new app starting with the XC40 Recharge (below) that is slowly making its way to dealers. So how does it work?

 "When the high voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge reaches a driver-selected state of charge, the car is shifted into in Park, and available charging stations are within a half-mile radius, a visual alert appears on the 9.1-inch center touch screen, accompanied by an audible notification.

Touching the visual alert displays a list of available charging stations, their locations and pricing. The driver selects the preferred location to begin turn-by-turn navigation. The driver can also use Google Assistant to find and navigate to nearby stations by saying, “Hey Google, find a nearby ChargePoint charging station.”

Upon arrival at the charging station the driver selects the appropriate charger from the on-screen list and touches the green “Start Charging” button. Using GPS location and cellular technology the app communicates with the ChargePoint network to activate the selected charger and release the plug. At that point the driver can get out of the car, remove the plug from the charger and plug in the car.

Payment information is stored in a driver’s ChargePoint account and eliminates the need to use a phone,"

Easy and another reason to check out the new Volvo EVs. Check out the media information and video after the "read more" jump.

Source: Volvo - Media information, pics

Volvo shows its latest EV: the C40 Recharge - Update

This was a surprise on many levels. "Coupe" versions of SUVs/CUVs or whatever-ever-you-call-them utilities are becoming more common and provide consumers with a more stylish alternative to traditional utes, but with the same high ride height. I'm a big fan of Volvo's XC40 Recharge compact SUV EV and the new C40 Recharge (the X denotes crossover/SUV in Volvo model nomenclature) is a looker. With its lowered roof and sleeker roofline, the C40 gives "coupe SUV" buyers everything they want in a right-sized package. The C40 Recharge goes into production later this year in Belgium and will ONLY be available online. Yep, Volvo is switching to all-electric propulsion by 2030 and online only sales. Hasn't hurt Tesla and many dealers refuse to sell EVs, so...their loss is our gain. I guess existing dealerships will become service centers (for some dealers that's where the money is anyway). So expect numbers similar to the XC40 - 400+ hp, 200+ miles of range, fast charging capabilities, efficiency, dual motor set-up for all-wheel drive, Google infotainment, and so on. Maybe a performance version will rear its head at a future date. Volvo also mentions an attempt to simplify online ordering by reducing the options list with more complete packages and models. We shall see. Can't wait to see this one in person. As a six-foot+-tall human, I hope the lowered roofline doesn't restrict headroom. It has been reported that Volvo's XC90 will be the next SUV to switch to Volvo's "skateboard" EV platform. Will that spawn a C90 SUV Coupe since Volvo intends to do away with traditional sedans and wagons? More to come...

Source: Volvo - Media Release, pics, video