EV charging troubleshooting: A no-nonsense guide for everyday drivers
Electric vehicles aren’t some distant tech experiment anymore. They’re now a regular fixture on British roads. Just a few years ago, back in 2019, there were under 100,000 EVs humming along our streets. Fast forward to today and that figure has rocketed past 1.2 million (The Times). It’s an exciting shift though not without a few bumps in the road.
One of the biggest gripes? Charging issues.
Whether you’re a homeowner with a single EV or a company juggling a fleet of electric HGVs, reliable charging isn’t a nice-to-have it’s essential. For businesses especially, one fault in the system can throw everything into disarray. And with electric HGVs seeing a 70 percent surge between 2020 and 2025, there’s simply no room for downtime.
In situations where every second counts, Rapid DC chargers offer faster, more stable performance and are particularly well-suited to high-demand environments. But before you shell out for upgrades or call in your electrician, it’s worth running through a few straightforward checks.
1. Everyday culprit: AC charging niggles
Most problems pop up with standard AC chargers the type you’ll find at home, in the office, or parked up in supermarket car parks. They’re usually dependable, but they’re not foolproof. A sudden surge in power, a software wobble or even a good old British rainstorm can throw things off.
Thinking about a long-term switch to a DC fast charger? That might be the answer eventually. But in the short term, here are a few basics worth ticking off.
Start simple. Really simple:
- Double-check your connections. It sounds obvious, but a loosely plugged-in cable causes more headaches than you’d expect. Give all the plugs a solid once-over.
- Look at the fuse board. EV chargers pull a fair bit of juice, and blown fuses aren’t uncommon. A quick look at your consumer unit might be all it takes.
- Inspect the cable. Daily wear and tear builds up fast. Any cracks, frays, or general scruffiness? Time for a replacement.
Take the case of a Manchester driver whose charger kept conking out for no apparent reason. Turned out the culprit was a tired, worn cable. Swapped it for a new one and the issue vanished (Cita EV).
2. Not just nuts and bolts: The software side
Sometimes everything looks fine on the outside cables intact, fuse board behaving but the charger still won’t play ball. That’s when software gremlins might be to blame.
These days, chargers and EVs talk to each other via firmware. If that conversation breaks down, so does your charging.
Here’s what to check:
- Update the firmware. Both your vehicle and your charger might be due a software refresh. Manufacturers roll out updates regularly to fix bugs and improve performance.
- Check for compatibility quirks. Not every charger gets along with every EV. If a public charger won’t cooperate, it might not be your fault just try a different one.
- Reboot the system. Some units let you run a soft reset, which often clears glitches. It’s usually just a button press or two, not a techy ordeal.
One EV owner in Birmingham noticed their charger had suddenly slowed to a crawl. A quick firmware update and just like that charging speed was back to normal (Cita EV).
3. Weather: The sneaky saboteur
Believe it or not, the weather plays a much bigger role than you’d think. Chargers don’t live in a bubble. Temperature swings hot or cold can have a big impact on performance.
When it’s baking hot:
- Chargers can overheat. If your wallbox sits in direct sun all day, it may shut itself down to avoid damage. A bit of airflow or some shade can work wonders.
Some EVs slow charging deliberately. It’s not a fault it’s protection. High temperatures can harm batteries, so your car might limit charging speed to keep things safe.
When it’s freezing cold:
- Charging slows down. Cold batteries charge more slowly. Pre-conditioning your car—warming the battery before you plug in can help speed things along.
- Frost can throw off charging points. Not every charger copes well with sub-zero temperatures. If one unit acts up, the next one down the road might be just fine.
During last year’s heatwave, one London driver kept having their charger cut out midday. The fix? They moved it into a shaded spot. Problem solved (Cita EV).
When It’s time to call in the pros
Tried all the tricks above and still stuck? Here’s when it’s best to step back and let a professional take over:
- You catch a whiff of burning or see sparks. Stop immediately and don’t touch a thing.
- Overheating becomes a pattern. If your charger keeps shutting itself down, there may be a deeper issue.
- Your property has old wiring. Many older homes just aren’t built to support modern EV charging. A qualified installer can help assess and upgrade things safely.
Wrapping up
Yes, EV charging problems are annoying but more often than not, the fix is quicker and easier than you might imagine. Sometimes it’s just a loose cable, an overdue software update, or a charger in desperate need of shade.
Staying one step ahead by keeping your kit updated and giving it the odd check-up can spare you a lot of hassle. But if things go wrong? Don’t stress. With a bit of troubleshooting and a level head, you’ll be back on the road before you know it.
