Volvo has added Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Plug & Charge capabilities to its all-electric EX30 crossover with its latest over-the-air (OTA) software update.

The EX30 debuted in 2023 and is the smallest model in Gothenburg’s electric-only line-up. These latest updates, however, are exclusive to European-spec cars built for the 2026 model year onwards.

V2L means the EX30 can be used as an external battery source capable of delivering up to 3kW of power to external electronic devices such as cooking equipment, selected power tools, and even a television or a refrigerator. The V2L system will cut off when the car’s main battery level drops below 20%.

It is worth noting that a separate V2L adapter will be required to connect to this external equipment and needs to be purchased directly from Volvo. The V2L functionality makes the EX30 the second all-electric Volvo to come with V2L alongside its newest electric-only model, the EX60. V2L is expected to be rolled out across the rest of Volvo’s EV range, which comprises the EX40, EX90, and ES90.

With Volvo’s Plug & Charge functionality, owners plug in their car at compatible charge points, which can be found using the ‘Volvo Cars’ app and begin their charging session without the need for additional apps or charge cards.

The Volvo Cars app also allows owners to pre-condition their car’s cabin temperatures when away from the vehicle, track driving habits and efficiency levels, lock the vehicle, and control how their car charges. While praised for its design and ‘Volvo-ness’ in terms of character, the EX30 has been heavily criticised for its unintuitive infotainment system, which places all vital car functions, including ADAS and climate control, into a screen with no physical switchgear.

With this latest OTA update, Volvo promises that “the settings menu has been simplified with less complexity, while a customisable contextual bar can present predictive actions or the functions most important [for you]”.

When EV Powered contacted Volvo for clarification on what the changes meant for the EX30’s 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a spokesperson from the Swedish firm’s design team explained that it’s a reduction in reliance on sub-menus to access the most-used apps: “The new design simplifies navigation by keeping all optional categories visible in a side menu,” they said. “Instead of returning to the main overview, users can switch between categories directly from the menu bar.”