VOLVO CAR

SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS

Technical Journal
TITLE:

Driving distance in Pure mode / Hybrid mode
REF NO:

ISSUING DEPARTMENT:

CAR MARKET:

TJ 29815.5.0

Technical Service

United States and Canada

PARTNER:

ISSUE DATE:

STATUS DATE:

3 US 7510 Volvo Car USA

2020-03-04

2020-03-11

FUNC GROUP:

FUNC DESC:

3113

Battery, high voltage

Page 1 of 8

“Right first time in Time”
Attachment
File Name
FAQ State Of Health Hybrid Batteries WITH Answers
Rev6_en.pdf
VIDA_instruction.pdf

File Size
0.5621 MB
0.2077 MB

Vehicle Type
Type

Eng

224
224
225
238
238
238
246
246
256
256

BK
BR
BK
BC
BC
BR
BK
BR
BC
BR

Eng
Desc
B1FPHEV
B1BPHEV
B1BPHEV
B1FPHEV
B1FPHEV
B1BPHEV
B1FPHEV

Sales

Body

Gear

Steer

Model Year
2019-2099
2019-2099
2019-2099
2017-2099
2017-2099
2018-2099
2018-2099
2018-2099
2016-2099
2018-2099

Plant

Chassis range
0000001-0999999
0000001-0999999
0000001-0999999
0000001-0999999
0000001-0999999
0000001-0999999
0000001-0999999
0000001-0999999
0000001-0999999
0000001-0999999

Struc Week
Range
201835-209952
201835-209952
201835-209952
201646-209952
201710-209952
201710-209952
201717-209952
201717-209952
201524-209952
201524-209952

Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document. Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing
a minimum of 50% wastepaper and 10% post-consumer waste.
© 2020 VOLVO CAR USA, LLC

Technical Journal 29815.5.0
CSC Customer Symptom Codes
Code
YN
IV
3L
2V

Description
High voltage battery/Discharged/poor charge
Text window and warning symbol/Text message
Technician information/Repair information/Not for warranty use
Technician information/Software/Vehicle communication/Not for warranty use

VST Operation Number
DTC Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Control Module
BECM
BECM

Code
P0A7F62
P0A8000

Fault Type
Permanent
Permanent

Rows beginning with * are modified
Note! If using a printed copy of this Technical Journal, first check for the latest online version.
Text
DESCRIPTION:
Use this Technical Journal if a customer states that the driving distance in Pure mode or Hybrid mode is
too short.
Follow instruction under “Service” to find explanation for the hybrid battery state of health. Frequently
asked question regarding state of health could be found under “Attachment” FAQ State of health hybrid
batteries with answers Rev6.
SERVICE:
The High Voltage battery in the Hybrid car is a Li-ion battery.
The battery strategy in the car is optimized for high capacity over the vehicle lifespan.
The battery capacity will however decrease and factors that impact the decrease in capacity are, among
others:
-Age
-Number of charging cycles
-Temperature
Driving distance in Pure/Hybrid mode will become shorter as the battery gets older.
This decrease is a normal battery aging process.
Driving distance in Pure/Hybrid mode is also depending on how the car is driven and how the power
consumers are used.
For more information regarding drive cycle and other outside factors, see owner’s manual.
In Vida you can find the High voltage battery state of health for all hybrid cars. See attachment “VIDA
instruction”.
Page 2 of 8

2020-03-11

Technical Journal 29815.5.0
The BECM has two DTC’s that will be set when the capacity is below certain thresholds. See Diagnostic
Trouble Codes.
Abbreviation:
SOH = State Of Health Remaining capacity in percent 100% = New battery
SOC = State Of Charge Charge level in the battery in percent 100% = Fully charged battery
Note:
SOC has nothing to do with the capacity of the Li-ion battery
Warranty claim info:
This TJ is for information only.
VEHICLE REPORT:
Yes, please submit a Vehicle Report if the service solution described in this TJ has no effect. Use
concern area “Vehicle Report” and sub concern area “Support needed”, use function group 3113.

To view TJ attachments continue to next page. This TJ has two attachments.

2020-03-11

Page 3 of 8

Technical Journal 29815.5.0

TJ 29815

Page 4 of 8

2020-03-11

FAQ - related to the State Of Health of Volvo Cars Hybrid Batteries
Questions we receive from dealers and customers
Q
A

What does the State of Health mean?
SOH is an indicator of how much Battery capacity is left, however it shall not be treated
as an absolute quantity!
= The condition of a battery.
= SOH = Current max Capacity / Initial max Capacity
Volvo Cars does not expect to come close to critical SOH during the warranty period

Q
A

Is there any State of Health limitation after which a car cannot be driven?
PHEV can always be driven without limitations as a normal fuel-driven vehicle, even if
a Battery degenerates to a low state of health.

Q

Can a Customer see (or be informed by a Dealer, or interpret from a Maintenance
Invoice) the State of Health of his/her car?
No. At present Volvo Cars has decided to offer SOH information only for a
dealer/technician. A dealer/technician will have suitable ability to clarify customers’
possible technical concerns.

A

Q
A

Q
A

Is it possible to have a car with a high SOH and high mileage, and an equal one with a
low SOH and low mileage?
Yes. Many Parameters affects a Battery health, not just mileage. E.g. charging cycles
and tougher driving style shortens a Battery life.
What is the expected lifetime of a new Volvo cars PHEV Battery?
Volvo cars PHEV batteries are designed to last the entire lifetime of the car
Yet, a battery life depends on numerous facts. E.g. how often the vehicle is being
used, charging, maintenance, temperature and the driving pattern.

Q
A

What means with the so called “End of Life” (EOL) of a HV battery?
End of Life of PHEV batteries is reached when the actual total capacity is well below
half of the original total capacity, or if the actual peak power if well below one third of
the original peak power.

Q
A

Does SOH give an indication on how far I can drive on electric?
Yes. A lower SOH means also a lower electric range.
To get the range percentage see also the so called State of Charge (SOC).

Q
A

What is SOC?
“Knowing the Battery State of Charge is like knowing the amount of Fuel in your fuel
tank”
= Batteries Charging Status
A fully charged Battery has always 100% SOC, but an old Battery is charged faster
compared to a new one due to the Battery decreased capacity

Q

Can a customer find SOC?

A

Yes, SOC is available on DIM (Driver Information Module).

Q

Do seasons affect PHEV range?

A

Yes, 30-40% of the range can be reduced due to the seasonal variation during winter (e.g.
the range can be 45 km during summer, and only 30 km during winter conditions

Q

Are there any other parameters affecting the range?

A

Yes.
E.g. Speed, driving style (such as many stop-and-goes), hilly environment, heavy
cargo, usage of AC or auxiliary heater etc.

Q

What happens with a battery which is replaced in a workshop, and then sent back to
Volvo cars?

A

All Batteries globally are sent to regional hubs in which they are diagnosed to identify
the fault and decide upon further handling.

Q
A

What do we answer if a customer asks what a replacement battery costs?
The price quoted to the customer must reflect the real local retail price for the repair.

Q
A

How to response dissatisfaction with the electric range?
A battery diagnostics is performed to understand if there are any problems with the
battery. If issues are detected, the warranty procedure applies.

Q
A

Do lithium ion batteries need to be fully charged before first use?
No

Q
A

Can you overcharge a PHEV?
No

Q
A

Where do I recharge PHEV?
PHEVs can be plugged into a household outlet using dedicated charging cables.
Most customers recharge overnight in their garage, carport or driveway, but naturally
future BEVs are going to be compatible with public chargers as well. Approximately 80
percent of all charging today happens at home (or at work).

Q
A

How much does the PHEV Battery weigh?
Approximately 130Kg (290lbs)

Q
A

Is the Battery flammable?
A battery will only be flammable through mistreatment or outside intrusion. Electric
vehicle batteries are less flammable than regular fuel.

Q
A

Can Electric Vehicles self-charge?
In a certain sense; PHEVs and BEVs recapture some of their energy back into the
batteries by regenerative braking. PHEVs may also charge using a charging function
from the gas engine

Q
A

What is regenerative braking?
Electric motors use energy to create vehicle motion. When a Vehicle is reducing
speed the motion can be used to generate electricity, which will be fed back to the
battery. Consequently the vehicle's range is extended.

Q
A

How are Hybrid Batteries connected?
Hybrid Batteries are connected in series, one positive to one negative. For each added
battery cell the voltage increases

Q
A

What are MHEV, PHEV and BEV?
MHEV Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle Battery is used during acceleration and to support the 12V system
PHEV Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle Either the electric motor alone, the ICE* or combination of both
BEV Battery Electric Vehicle
Electric mode only
*ICE

Internal Combustion Engine

Q

What are a Battery 1st, 2nd, 3rd life, or remanufacturing?

A

1st life

battery usage in the vehicle

2nd life
Recycling
Reman

reusage in a vehicle, or as energy storage
batteries are recycled for their rare metals
Rebuilding of a product as the original manufactured product using a
mixture of reused, repaired and new parts. Remanufacturing requires
the repair or replacement of worn out or outdated modules.

Q
A

What does a Battery Cycle mean?
One cycle of a battery is a discharge from full charge to full discharge, and a return to
full charge again.