Plugging your electric car into an ordinary single-phase 230 V household outlet gives a charging time of 8-10 hours, depending on the available current. That’s fine for overnight charging, but way too long if you need a quick charge between your daily commute.

Volvo is currently testing a new fast-charger for electric cars that cuts recharging time to 1.5 hours. The fast-charger operates six times faster than today’s on-board devices.

“We know that short recharging times and extensive operating range are a necessity for potential electric car consumers. The fast-charging unit helps cure what is known as ‘range anxiety’ since the car can be more easily recharged during the day. And even if you don’t have enough time for a 1.5-hour charge, plugging in for just 30 minutes will give you enough power for another 80 kilometres of driving,” says Lennart Stegland, Vice President Electric Propulsion Systems, Volvo Car Corporation.

There are different fast chargers on the market, but this is world’s first three-phase on-board charger.

The new charger will be installed and evaluated in a number of Volvo C30 Electric cars. Using a three-phase outlet with 32A gives an 80 km range in 30 minutes. A full charge takes 1.5 hours.