Charging the hybrid battery

Updated 06/08/2023

In addition to the fuel tank, as in a conventional car, the car is equipped with a rechargeable battery - a so-called hybrid battery of the lithium-ion type.

The hybrid battery is charged using a charging cable with control unit which is located in a storage compartment in the cargo area.

Note

Volvo recommends a charging cable in accordance with IEC 62196 and IEC 61851 which supports temperature monitoring.

The time it takes for the hybrid battery to be charged is dependent on the charging current that is used.

Note

The capacity of the hybrid battery decreases slightly with age and use, which may result in increased use of the petrol engine and thereby slightly increased fuel consumption.

Warning

Replacing the hybrid battery must only be performed by a workshop - an authorised Volvo workshop is recommended.

P5-1519-XC90 Hybrid - Charging — Charging cable handle and charging input socket.

Charging status is indicated in three ways:

Different indicators on the charging cable's control unit.
Indicator lamp in the car's charging input socket.
Illustration and text in the driver display.

While the hybrid battery is being charged, charging is also in progress for the car's starter battery.

If the hybrid battery's temperature is below -10 ºC (14 ºF) or above 40 ºC (104 ºF) then it may mean that some of the car's functions are changed or unavailable because the capacity of the hybrid batteries is reduced outside this temperature range.

Electric operation is not possible if the temperature of the battery is too low or too high. If drive mode PURE is then selected, the combustion engine starts.

Charging with fixed control unit in accordance with mode 31

In certain markets the control unit is installed within a charging station connected to the mains power circuit. In which case, the charging cable has no control unit of its own. Instead, it has a special connector to be used to connect the charging cable to the charging station. Follow the instructions at the charging station.

Charging with the petrol engine

P5-1717-ALL hybrid-Hybrid meter charging change values — The car generates current to the battery and the battery is charged, e.g. when the brake pedal is pressed gently or during engine braking down a hill.

The car can also generate power for the hybrid battery and the battery is charged.

The hybrid battery is recharged during gentle braking with the brake pedal. The car's kinetic energy is then converted to electrical energy, which is used to charge the hybrid battery.
In gear position B, the car undergoes electric motor braking when the accelerator pedal is released and the hybrid battery is recharged at the same time.
The hybrid battery can also be charged by the car's engine.