DEFA Delivers Customized Workshop Charger for Volvo Cars: ”Extremely Pleased”

As vehicles become increasingly advanced and software-driven, the demands placed on automotive workshops worldwide are changing. Programming and updating a vehicle’s electronic control units (ECUs), commonly referred to as flashing, can take several hours and require a stable power supply throughout the entire process. To meet these demands, DEFA is supplying its WorkshopCharger to Volvo Cars workshops globally – including a 50 A version featuring software specifically developed for Volvo Cars.

Modern vehicles rely on increasingly sophisticated electronics and software. As a result, a growing share of workshop operations involves diagnostics, programming and updating the vehicle’s electronic control units.

Unlike regular software updates, which can often be performed remotely through Over-the-Air (OTA) technology, ECU flashing requires specialized workshop equipment and a reliable, uninterrupted power supply.

During these procedures, the vehicle’s 12 V electrical system must be maintained at a stable voltage. Insufficient power supply can interrupt the programming process, potentially resulting in additional work, lost workshop time and, in the worst case, issues with the vehicle’s electronics.

This development is placing entirely new demands on equipment traditionally associated with battery charging.

"A modern workshop charger is no longer just a battery charger. During programming and software updates, it serves as a stable power supply for the vehicle, often for several hours at a time. Workshops need to be able to rely on it to deliver consistent power throughout the entire process", says Ståle Kvitle, EVP of Automotive Solutions, DEFA Group.

Customized to meet Volvo Cars’ requirements

DEFA supplies the WorkshopCharger 125 A and WorkshopCharger 50 A for use across Volvo Cars’ global workshop network, in all countries where Volvo Cars operates.

The 125 A model provides workshops with high capacity and is designed to handle demanding tasks across a wide range of vehicles. For Volvo Cars, DEFA has also developed a dedicated version of the WorkshopCharger 50 A, with customized software and voltage levels based on the vehicle manufacturer’s specific requirements.

The collaboration was initiated through Würth Sweden, and a key factor behind the agreement was DEFA’s ability to quickly translate Volvo Cars’ requirements into a technical solution.

Ståle Kvitle, DEFA Group:

”We have the expertise in-house, which enables us to respond quickly when our customers’ needs change. It took us just two days to develop customized software for Volvo Cars, entirely in-house at our office in Norway. That says a great deal about both our technical capabilities and the way we want to work with our customers.”

Mikael Vårnäs, International Senior Key Account Manager, Würth:

“Through years of close collaboration, Würth has come to know DEFA as a trusted supplier and a manufacturer of high quality products. When Volvo Cars needed a tailor-made workshop charger for global use, DEFA was the natural recommendation. We are extremely pleased with how smoothly the entire process has been managed, resulting in a global agreement.”

When every update needs to work

For Volvo Cars, operational reliability is critical. When software is installed in a vehicle at an authorized Volvo workshop, the process is automatically reported to Volvo Cars’ central system, allowing both completed and interrupted programming processes to be monitored.

David Nordholm, Car Service Operations, Volvo Cars:

“We have clearly communicated internally across our global organization that DEFA WorkshopCharger is a solution we recommend. Our collaboration with Würth and DEFA works very well.”

About DEFA WorkshopCharger

DEFA WorkshopCharger is a range of professional battery chargers and power supply solutions developed for modern automotive workshops. The range is designed for battery charging, maintenance and stable power supply during tasks including diagnostics, programming and software updates.