Volvo takes a step backwards with its 12 volt terminal

12 volt terminal

We’ve assembling the information needed to create a jump start video for Volvo electric vehicle (EV) drivers and it turns out that to get in, access to what the company calls a 12 volt terminal is needed.

Well it turns out Volvo’s 12 V terminal is a worse replica of what is already a terrible idea from Tesla.

Tesla’s terrible idea is to do away with mechanical keys, leading to the need to create a way inside the vehicle if the 12-volt start battery dies. Yes, EVs use one of these.

What the company did was create a spot to access a pair of connectors somewhere at the front of the vehicle, most of them in the front bumper. Twelve volt power is then supplied to the connectors until the hood can be popped open supplying start battery access.

Volvo has emulated this concept in its EX30 and EX90 EVs, also doing away with mechanical keys. And it placed the back-up connectors under the bumper. The picture you see to the right was acquired by lying on the ground with the camera facing up. Turn the plastic cover and pull down and the connectors are found.

Trust me, its a pain in the backside, to be kind. At least the Tesla connections did not require lying on the ground! The Ford Mustang Mach-E uses a design similar to Tesla.

For the record, the image here is the first we are aware to be made available anywhere on the web. It does not even appear in owner’s manuals!

We reported a few days ago that the Chinese government is looking into barring the use of electronic locks and latches on cars for safety reasons, and good for them. Should this actually come to pass, one benefit would be the loss of these ridiculous and unnecessary back-up systems.

The U.S. should follow suit.

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