How to Troubleshoot Common EV Charging Problems
Today, modern electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint technology makes charging your car a remarkably straightforward matter. In the vast majority of instances, all you need to get a whole day’s charge is plug your EV in, leave it overnight, and the chargepoint will handle the rest.
However, just like any piece of technology, EV chargers can occasionally encounter some issues. Most times, these problems are just a mere annoyance. Other times, however, charging issues can seriously impact the utility and enjoyment of your EV.
Fortunately, almost all of the most common EV charging problems are easily remedied. Here are some typical EV chargepoint issues and the possible solutions you can employ to fix them. If you need professional help with EV charging point installation, repair, or maintenance, our team at Elecology is always ready to help.
1. Faults with the Charging Point Hardware
Chargers are under constant high load and can fail over time. Connectors can also degrade due to natural wear and tear. Either of these situations can result in a slow or inconsistent charging experience.
Solution:
If your hardware is still under warranty, contact the chargepoint manufacturer for assistance. Elecology is the installation and maintenance partner for many leading brands, so we can easily help with any hardware faults that occur. Elecology also commissions and registers your charger for warranty upon installation, with all the charging points that we install having a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.
2. Charging Station Firmware Problems
Chargepoint and EV firmware are responsible for monitoring charge states and ensuring optimal charging. Most of the time, these systems work without issue. However, as simple as they seem, these systems can be incredibly complex and things can go wrong occasionally.
Solution:
Many common firmware issues can be resolved by resetting the charging station or EV according to the user manual. If no manual has been provided, you may have to contact the installer or manufacturer for instructions. Occasionally, the problem may be with the smartphone app that controls the chargepoint. In these cases, check your internet connectivity and try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
Sometimes, chargepoint software issues are the result of a bug. In these cases, reinstallation won’t necessarily solve the issue. Instead, you may need to update the firmware or report the errors to your chargepoint provider.
3. Poor Wi-Fi Connectivity
Some smart chargepoints require a Wi-Fi connection for advanced functions like remote monitoring and automated off-peak charging. Poor connectivity will leave you unable to utilise your chargepoint’s full potential and can even disrupt your EV’s charging process.
Solution:
First, reset your Wi-Fi router and check your chargepoint app’s setting to confirm if it can detect the network and a connection can be made. If there’s an intermittent or weak connection, see if repositioning your router or using a Wi-Fi repeater solves the issue.
If you’re still unable to connect, check to see if there are connectivity issues with your other devices. If your other devices work normally, there may be a fault with your chargepoint hardware. Check if the chargepoint is still covered by your current warranty and call your provider for a replacement.
4. Faulty Switchgear
If the chargepoint is giving an erratic charge or if the circuit breaker constantly trips during charging, the RCD (Residual Current Device) or RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Over Current) that supplies the chargepoint might need to be serviced or replaced.
Solution:
Call your installer to inspect your chargepoint and isolate the potential cause of the charging issue. If they confirm that there’s an RCD or RCBO issue, they may recommend that you call a qualified electrician to replace these devices. If the chargepoint hardware is faulty, they may end up replacing it if it’s still under warranty.
5. Charging Schedule Conflicts
Many EVs allow you to set charging schedules so that you can access smart tariffs to save on electricity costs. However, using multiple EV energy tariffs can cause conflicts in terms of charging compatibility when switching from one tariff to another. This can lead to errors in your electricity bill, and you may not get the most out of your energy savings as you first expected.
Solution:
While it might be tempting to use multiple EV tariffs for better savings, the overlapping schedules may give you an inaccurate reading on your energy metre. To avoid any possible conflicts, it’s best to just choose one and stick to it.
6. Voltage Spikes
If the voltage at your house is outside the allowed tolerance in the UK, the charger’s safety features will kick in, resulting in the charger tripping. In the UK, the declared voltage and tolerance for an electricity supply is 230 volts -6%, +10%. This gives an allowed voltage range of 216.2 volts to 253.0 volts. If the voltage is above this range, then it must be immediately adjusted for both the charging point and other electrical devices, as high voltage will degrade all electrical equipment.
Solution:
Contact your Distribution Network Operator, and report that you’re currently experiencing a voltage spike. They will then send an engineer out to reduce the voltage of your electrical system.
Maintenance Tips and Advice for a Smooth Charging Experience
Regularly Clean Your Charger. Dust, debris, and corrosion can damage both your chargepoint and your connectors. To maximise your system’s longevity, make it a point to periodically wipe the outside of your chargepoint with a soft, slightly damp cloth and to clean connectors with a specialised electrical cleaning spray.
Ensure Proper Cable Management. Tangled or kinked cables will degrade faster, negatively impacting your charging at inopportune times. Use a dedicated reel or cable holder to keep your cables straight and tangle-free.
Inspect Your Chargepoint Regularly. Inspect your charging cables and connectors for signs of damage or wear. If cables appear damaged or if connectors seem wobbly when plugged, replace them immediately.
Check for Software Updates. Stay informed about the latest charging station software updates and install them as needed to benefit from bug fixes and other improvements.
Seek Professional Assistance for Complex Chargepoint Issues
If these troubleshooting steps don’t resolve your issue, it may be time to seek professional help. Though exceedingly safe, modern EV chargepoints can output dangerous voltage levels, so it’s best to have certified technicians look into more complex charging matters.
Thankfully, as EV technology continues to improve in reliability, you can expect instances of these issues to drop even further. However, given the relative complexity of EV chargepoint systems, knowing how to address these issues may increase your satisfaction with your EV.
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