Imagine buying a new electric SUV and never paying a single electricity bill for an entire year. Sounds too good to be true? Volvo just made it reality with a groundbreaking initiative launching in Sweden this February 2026.
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The Game-Changing Offer
Volvo has partnered with energy giant Vattenfall to provide buyers of new fully electric vehicles with one year of complimentary home charging. This isn’t a small discount—we’re talking about serious driving range covered completely free.
What’s Included?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Electricity | Up to 5,150 kWh annually |
| Driving Range | Approximately 25,000 km (15,500 miles) |
| Launch Date | February 2026 |
| Eligibility | Private buyers (purchase or lease) |
| Requirements | Vattenfall electricity contract + Volvo app |
The programme covers up to 5,150kWh annually, equivalent to approximately 25,000km of driving based on the EX90 WLTP cycle. That’s enough energy to drive from New York to Los Angeles more than five times without spending a cent on fuel.
Smart Charging, Smarter Savings
Here’s where it gets even better. Participants must charge their vehicles using the smart charging feature in the Volvo Cars app, which shifts charging to periods of lower cost and typically lower carbon dioxide.
Think of it like this: your car automatically charges when electricity is cheapest and cleanest—usually late at night when renewable energy is abundant and demand is low. You save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and do absolutely nothing except plug in your vehicle.
The system tracks energy consumption through the app, then deducts the charging costs from your electricity bill. Simple, transparent, and hassle-free.
Beyond Free Charging: The V2X Revolution
Volvo Cars intends to expand the programme in 2026 to include vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, which will allow bi-directionally enabled models such as the EX90 to function as energy storage units that can power homes or return electricity to the grid.
Picture this scenario: You charge your EX90 overnight when electricity is dirt cheap. During peak hours when rates skyrocket, your car feeds power back to your home, reducing your energy bills even after the free year ends. Your electric SUV becomes a giant mobile power bank.
Why This Matters
“We are listening to our customers, and by providing free charging offers we hope to create value for them and accelerate our collective journey to a smarter, greener society,” Alejandro Castro Pérez, Vice President of Energy Solutions at Volvo Cars, said in a statement.
Translation? Volvo understands the biggest barriers to EV adoption: upfront costs and charging anxiety. One year of free charging directly tackles both concerns, giving potential buyers a compelling reason to make the switch.
Sweden First, Then the World
While the program launches in Sweden, this is just the beginning. The automaker plans to use insights from the Swedish pilot phase to develop a broader rollout across Europe and other markets, working with sustainable energy providers in each region.
For European buyers particularly interested in EVs, this news signals that similar programs could arrive in their countries soon. Volvo is essentially beta-testing a model that could revolutionize how automakers incentivize electric vehicle adoption globally.
A Partnership Built on Sustainability
Volvo Cars and Vattenfall have collaborated on electrification initiatives since 2012, including development of the V60 diesel plug-in hybrid and Vattenfall’s supply of fossil-free energy to Volvo Cars’ Torslanda plant in Sweden.
This isn’t a random partnership—it’s a decade-long relationship focused on sustainable mobility. Vattenfall provides fossil-free electricity, ensuring that free charging doesn’t just save money but genuinely reduces environmental impact.
The Bottom Line
Volvo Cars currently offers five fully electric models, with the EX60 scheduled for launch in January 2026. With free charging sweetening the deal, Volvo is positioning itself as not just an EV manufacturer but a complete mobility solution provider.
For buyers on the fence about electric vehicles, this program answers the critical question: “But what about charging costs?” With 15,500 miles of free driving, you’ll have an entire year to experience EV ownership without the usual financial concerns.
The electric revolution just got a lot more affordable—and a lot more tempting.
