This week, Volvo released some images that show its vision of what a typical home with an electric vehicle might look like. We report Volvo’s thoughts and show the images the company offered.
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Most electric vehicle owners charge their vehicles at home. Although it is possible to own an electric vehicle without a home charger, relying on a public network that is seemingly more crowded by the day, and having a high percentage of out of service chargers, nearly all of those who own or test EVs will tell you there are three mani reasons why an at-home charger is important.
At-home chargers need not be expensive. The Level 2 charger I have used for more than a year to charge affordable EVs from nearly all brands costs just $199. However, one must have a home in which to charge. If you rent, or are part of a condo complex with shared parking areas, it can be tricky to control your charging situation.
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Volvo primarily serves affluent buyers, though many of its models are proceed competitively with entry-level premium vehicles. This past week, Volvo revealed its vision of a “Recharge Garage.” Volvo terms its line of electrified vehicles “Recharge.” The garage was designed in Partnership with Garage Living and Compass.
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“As Volvo continues its electrification journey, the advancement and accessibility of home charging is critical to driving continued adoption of EVs,” said Anders Gustafsson, Sr. Vice President Americas and President and CEO, Volvo Car USA. “The Recharge Garage concept provides a glimpse into a future where electric cars will reshape our lives for the better, whether on the road or at home.”
“Despite consuming significant square footage in today’s homes, the garage is a space that is typically underutilized and often neglected,” said Marc Sanders, Compass real estate agent representing 2465 Winter Sun Drive, a for-sale home within Desert Palisades, a new gated community in Palm Springs. “Homes will become the fueling stations of the future that make owning an electric vehicle easier than ever.”
As you can see, the garage is part of a modern home in a warm climate. There are no neighboring homes in view in any of the 11 images Volvo offered. Mountain vistas are seen in two directions. The high desert home is an indoor-outdoor living theme.
The garage itself offers two wide bays, with no center section to limit the space’s usability. Golf clubs are neatly stored on a rack. There appear to be two Level 2 chargers, one in each bay. An E-Scooter hangs by the door. Million-dollar views are seen through the open concept contemporary home. There appears to be a large flat-screen TV and a pair of tennis rackets rounding out the neatly-organized electric vehicle garage.
The garage is well-lit and bright white inside. A spotless epoxy finish covers the presumably concrete floor. A foldable workbench adorns one side of the garage and a series of cabinets and storage compartments round off the garage’s useful features.
The garage has a carport next to the two-bay interior parking area. This area might be perfect for a domestic servant’s vehicle, au pair’s car, or perhaps a visiting adult child’s vehicle. The home has ample guest parking in the driveway, about a five or six-car setup from what the images show.
Do you think this home and EV charging garage are typical of the way most vehicle owners in America live today? Do you feel it represents how many Volvo owners live today? Your comments are important to us. Feel free to share your thoughts below.
The garage is well-lit and bright white inside. A spotless epoxy finish covers the presumably concrete floor. A foldable workbench adorns one side of the garage and a series of cabinets and storage compartments round off the garage’s useful features.
The garage has a carport next to the two-bay interior parking area. This area might be perfect for a domestic servant’s vehicle, au pair’s car, or perhaps a visiting adult child’s vehicle. The home has ample guest parking in the driveway, about a five or six-car setup from what the images show.
Do you think this home and EV charging garage are typical of the way most vehicle owners in America live today? Do you feel it represents how many Volvo owners live today? Your comments are important to us. Feel free to share your thoughts below.
Image of EV garage courtesy of Volvo
John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin
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I don't think solar was
I don't think solar was stressed enough, and I'd say one primary change is that the majority of home owners will have their vehicles charging in the driveway (not the affluent family pictured of course). In 5 different houses, I've never had a home with a garage (all 2 car) I could actually park a single car in, and most of my friends have all had similar amounts of "stuff" in the way. I almost reserved a Recharge when they were first announced, but then they revealed all the Google-integration and that killed it for me. I generally do everything I can to not fund Google (which also makes money from posting to this website, by the way).