Investing in an electric vehicle can be a big transition. Gasoline-powered cars certainly operate very differently from an EV. Part of this learning curve will be learning how to safely charge your new vehicle. Problems can happen, and some of these can be very frustrating. Learning how to drive an EV requires learning how to avoid these common EV charger mistakes. Take some time to learn them this new year so you can roam the roads without issue.
Payment Issues
One of the most commonly reported EV charger problems happens when a driver is unable to access a charging station due to the payment system. You should be aware of whether or not a specific charging station will hold an amount of money during a pre-authorization process. Be ready for the pre-authorization in regard to the funds in your account.
In certain cases, you may need to install an app to pay for the charging. Already having the app set up and connected to payment is important for avoiding issues. You should also be aware of what network a charging station is part of. There can be big differences in how the driver is supposed to pay.
Connection Problems
Another common EV headache occurs when the EV is hooked up to a charger, but the car never actually charges. There can be many reasons for this, but they typically boil down to loose connections, dirty connectors, or frayed cables.
First, always ensure that you have a tight connection between the car and the charging station with the charging cable. Any looseness could cause issues. Also, inspect the cables for damage. A frayed cable isn’t safe to use, regardless of whether it works or not. Lastly, cleaning the charging port may have a chance of fixing the connection problem.
Compatibility Failures
Another mishap occurs when your car isn’t compatible with a specific charging station. This happens more often than you would think due to the varying standards and protocols used by different manufacturers. CCS, CHAdeMO, and Tesla are just some of the different connectors, and they’re not compatible with each other.
In certain cases, even just having software not recently updated to the newest revision can cause a failure to charge. Overall, make sure you research your charger type, keep your software and apps updated, and consider investing in an adapter when you have no other choice but to use a charger that isn’t directly compatible with your vehicle.
If you’re looking for a EV charger replacement or repair services in Skippack, PA, your best choice may be our company, Marshall Services. We can repair your charger quickly so you can get back out on the road again without having to worry about whether or not your car will charge.