Traction battery

Updated 20/11/2023

Your car's traction battery is the central power source for your car. It powers all electric propulsion and indirectly powers the rest of the car by keeping the smaller 12 V battery charged.

The traction battery sits low in the underbody of the car.

Battery level

The battery level, also known as the state of charge, tells you how full the battery is. 100% means that the battery is charged to its maximum capacity and 0% means that no usable energy remains. The displayed battery level takes into consideration the battery's ability to deliver power. This means that limitations caused by certain conditions, such as the battery being cold, result in a lower level as long as any such conditions remain.

Battery care and health

How you use your car affects the traction battery's condition. Over time its capacity decreases. There are recommended user practices that can help extend the battery's service life. These user practices cover events and conditions that can cause battery damage.

Important

Leaving the car with a low battery level can lead to battery damage. Make sure to charge the car as soon as possible if the battery level is near empty.

Flat battery

If the battery level reaches 0%, the battery is considered flat or empty, and you can't drive the car. The car then needs to be charged as soon as possible to reduce the risk of battery damage.

The smaller 12 V battery is also at risk of going flat if the traction battery can't supply it with power. If both batteries have gone flat, the car will have no power at all and no ability to initiate charging.

Tip

There is a separate section with more information about what you can do to recover from a low-power scenario.

Battery service and maintenance

The traction battery is a high-voltage component that only authorised technicians are equipped to service safely.

Warning

Do not handle or modify the car's electrical components. Only perform actions that are clearly described in the user manual.
High-voltage components can produce or conduct lethal currents and must only be handled by authorised technicians.
Do not perform repairs on the car's electrical system or components. Contact an authorised Volvo workshop for any required repairs or servicing.