Volvo Ex90 Drivers in the U.S. Can Now Use Plug & Charge

Volvo is rolling out compatibility with Plug & Charge, a system that automates authentication and payment when the vehicle is connected to a compatible charging station. Once activated, the vehicle communicates directly with the charging network, enabling a seamless start to each charging session with no manual input required from the driver.

Volvo EX90 drivers in the United States can now charge at public networks, including Tesla Superchargers and IONNA DC fast chargers, without opening an app or using a credit card.

For existing EX90 owners, the feature is available now. Volvo notes that 2025 model year EX90 vehicles require the updated NVIDIA Orin-based computing architecture to support Plug & Charge functionality.

The company highlights access to more than 35,000 compatible charging stations across supported networks, expanding convenience for EX90 drivers and future Volvo EV owners, including the upcoming EX60.

Charging compatibility depends on connector standards. The EX90 uses a CCS1 port and can access Tesla Superchargers and IONNA stations through NACS-to-CCS1 adapters. The upcoming EX60 will ship with a native NACS port, with CCS1 compatibility available through adapters where needed.

Drivers can locate compatible stations through Google built into the vehicle’s infotainment system or via the Volvo Cars app. Navigation can also automatically add charging stops when planning longer trips, reducing range planning friction.

Volvo’s adoption of Plug & Charge aligns with a broader industry shift toward automated charging experiences. The feature is increasingly seen as a baseline expectation among EV drivers, largely influenced by expansion of interoperable fast charging networks.

The Volvo EX60, positioned as a high-performance electric SUV, offers up to 670 horsepower and an estimated range of up to 400 miles. It is available for order now through Volvo retailers and the company’s online configurator, marking another step in Volvo’s expanding all-electric lineup.

Plug & Charge is an EV charging standard that allows a vehicle to automatically authenticate, authorize, and pay for charging sessions when it is plugged into a compatible charging station. Instead of relying on smartphone apps, QR codes, or credit card readers, the vehicle and charger communicate directly using secure digital certificates based on ISO 15118 standards.

In practice, the experience is simple. A driver pulls up to a compatible fast charger, plugs in, and the session begins automatically. Billing is handled in the background through the driver’s pre-registered charging account. The goal is to make public charging feel closer to refueling a gasoline vehicle, where the interaction is fast, familiar, and frictionless.

The importance of Plug & Charge for EV adoption comes down to reducing friction. Today, public charging can still involve inconsistent user experiences, including multiple apps, membership accounts, payment failures, and varying network interfaces. These small barriers add cognitive load for drivers, especially new EV users, and can negatively influence confidence in long-distance travel.

By standardizing authentication and payment, Plug & Charge removes one of the most common pain points in the charging ecosystem. It also improves interoperability across networks, allowing drivers to use different charging providers without learning separate systems. This is particularly important as networks expand and more automakers adopt access to multiple charging ecosystems.

Security is another key benefit. The system uses encrypted digital certificates tied to the vehicle and charging account, reducing reliance on exposed payment terminals or manual data entry. This improves both reliability and transaction integrity.

For automakers, Plug & Charge also strengthens the in-vehicle software experience. Charging becomes integrated into navigation and route planning, with automatic charger selection and seamless session initiation.

As EV adoption grows, charging convenience is increasingly a determining factor in customer satisfaction. Plug & Charge helps close the usability gap between internal combustion refueling and electric charging, making EV ownership more intuitive, scalable, and accessible for mainstream drivers.