Volvo EX30 gains Vehicle-to-Load power software update
The Volvo EX30 is gaining greater versatility through a new over-the-air software update that allows owners to use the electric car’s battery to power external devices.
The update introduces Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, effectively turning the compact electric SUV into a mobile power source when parked. Volvo Cars is also adding Plug & Charge* functionality in certain European markets, simplifying the public charging process by automatically authenticating compatible charging sessions.
The free software update is being rolled out to new and existing EX30 customers globally over the coming weeks, giving owners access to new functionality without having to visit a dealership.
Volvo EX30 becomes a mobile power source
V2L allows the EX30 to supply electricity directly to external equipment, making the vehicle potentially useful well beyond simply providing transport.
For example, the battery could power a coffee machine at a football match, operate tools during a DIY project, keep a fridge running during a power cut or supply cooking equipment while camping.
Using the system is straightforward. Owners connect an adapter** to the car’s external charging port before plugging in the equipment they want to operate. The system then works much like a conventional electrical outlet, drawing power from the EX30’s high-voltage battery.
The system can deliver up to 3kW of power at 16 amps, providing sufficient output for a wide range of everyday electrical equipment. To protect the vehicle’s battery, the EX30 will automatically stop supplying power if its state of charge falls below 20 per cent.
For EV owners, the technology demonstrates how a vehicle’s battery can become a useful energy resource when the car is not being driven.
What is Vehicle-to-Load?
V2L is one application of bidirectional charging, a technology that allows electricity to flow in both directions between an electric vehicle and an external electrical system.
While conventional EV charging involves electricity flowing into the vehicle, V2L reverses that process, allowing stored battery energy to be used to power external equipment.
Volvo says the EX30 is among the early adopters of V2L technology in the premium compact segment. The functionality is also available on the fully electric Volvo EX60 SUV, with the manufacturer indicating that more models will follow.
For businesses and fleet operators, the technology could offer practical benefits in situations where access to mains electricity is limited. Mobile workers could potentially use the vehicle to operate electrical equipment at locations without a conventional power supply, although the suitability of the system will depend on the power requirements and duration of individual applications.
Plug & Charge simplifies public charging
The software update also introduces Plug & Charge functionality in certain European markets.
Compatible charging stations can automatically recognise the vehicle and initiate charging when it is connected, removing the need for drivers to authenticate the session manually using a charging app, RFID card or other additional steps.
For EV drivers covering high annual mileages, reducing the number of steps required at public chargers can make electric vehicle operation more convenient. It can also help simplify charging for drivers who regularly use different locations as part of their working day.
Plug & Charge is becoming an increasingly important feature as public charging networks expand and EV adoption grows, helping to make the charging experience more similar to the simplicity of refuelling a conventional vehicle.
Over-the-air updates extend EX30 capabilities
The latest update also brings changes to the EX30’s user interface, including a customisable contextual bar and redesigned settings menu.
The simplified settings menu is intended to reduce complexity, while the contextual bar can display predictive actions or provide quick access to the functions most relevant to the driver.
According to Volvo Cars, the improvements demonstrate how software can continue to develop an electric vehicle after it has left the factory.
“Through the power of software and over-the-air updates, we can continue to enhance our cars with useful new features long after customers have bought them – including capabilities they may not have expected when they first purchased the car,” says Alwin Bakkenes, head of global software engineering at Volvo Cars.
For existing EX30 owners, the update therefore represents more than a series of interface improvements. The introduction of V2L effectively adds a new capability to the vehicle, potentially changing how owners use the car when it is stationary.
Volvo says customer feedback also helps inform future software developments, allowing the EX30’s user experience and functionality to evolve throughout its lifecycle.
For electric vehicle owners, the ability to add meaningful capabilities through software updates could become increasingly significant. Rather than a vehicle’s specification being fixed when it leaves the factory, connected EVs can gain new functions and improvements throughout their ownership.
With V2L, Plug & Charge and an updated interface, the latest EX30 software update demonstrates how Volvo is looking beyond electric propulsion alone to make its EVs more useful, connected and adaptable in everyday life.
- *The Plug & Charge function is currently only available in Europe and on EX30 cars from model year 2026 onwards. Please speak to your local market representative for more information.
- **The V2L adapter is required to connect external devices and is sold separately. Please speak to your local market representative or retailer for pricing and availability.
- The V2L rollout will take place in markets across EMEA, APAC and Latin America using the CCS2 charging standard. Please speak to your local market representative for exact availability, as compatibility can vary according to vehicle configuration.
- The V2L functionality is not available on EX30 models in the US, Canada, Mexico, Korea, Taiwan and Japan. EX30 customers in those markets will still receive the user experience improvements included in the software update.
