Introducing API Rate Limits for Improved Stability
Jan 20, 2025 | 3 min read
To ensure stable and reliable service, we are introducing API rate limits for all the Volvo Cars Developer Portal Public APIs.
We're enhancing the stability of our Developer Portal APIs by introducing rate limits to ensure a consistently smooth experience for all developers. To prevent service disruptions caused by accidental or excessive usage, we are introducing API rate limits for all users of Volvo Cars Developer Portal Public APIs (This includes: Connected Vehicle API, Extended Vehicle API, Energy API and Location API). The update will enhance consistent performance and reliability for developers and applications interacting with our APIs.
- Rate Limit Details
The following table outlines the rate limits applicable to different API operations:
| Rate Limit Name | Rate | Affected Operations |
Rate Limit Name general_api | Rate 100 requests/minute | Affected Operations All general API requests per user (Volvo ID) per Client ID |
Rate Limit Name invocation_methods | Rate 10 requests/minute | Affected Operations Sending car commands (e.g., vehicle interaction requests) per user (Volvo ID) per Client ID |
Throttling Behavior:
- Exceeding the rate limits results in an HTTP 429 response.
- Developers must wait for the reset period before resending requests.
For example, as the limit is 100 requests per minute and you send requests continuously at 0.5 second intervals, the 101st request will be rejected. You must wait until the first request's age exceeds one minute to send another.
What Happens When You Exceed the Rate Limits?
If your application surpasses the rate limits:
- The API returns an HTTP 429 response.
- You must wait until the reset period (1 minute) to send additional requests.
Why Are We Implementing Rate Limits?
We are introducing rate limits to ensure system reliability by preventing accidental or malicious overloading of APIs. This approach guarantees fair usage, providing all developers equitable access to API resources, and improves the developer experience by maintaining predictable and stable performance for all applications.
Next Steps for Developers
To prepare for these rate limits:
- Review and Optimize: Audit your application’s API usage to ensure compliance with the limits.
- Handle Errors Gracefully: Implement error handling for 429 Too Many Requests responses, such as retries with backoff mechanisms.
- Monitor Usage: Track your API usage and ensure you remain within the allowed thresholds.
If your application requires a higher rate limit, submit a request with a valid reasoning and business case for consideration.
Rate limit details can be found in each of the API's Overview page
We appreciate your cooperation as we work towards delivering a more stable and reliable Developer Platform.
Happy coding! 🚗 💻
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