There are a variety of reasons why your electric vehicle (EV) might not be charging at the highest possible rate, and it doesn't always indicate a problem with your EV Charger or installation. The charging rate is often influenced by the vehicle itself, environmental factors, and the settings you have configured in both the vehicle and the Emporia Energy app. This guide will help you understand some of the common reasons behind lower-than-expected charging rates and provide troubleshooting steps to address these situations.
The Emporia EV Charger is capable of delivering up to 48 amps, but the charging rate is ultimately determined by your vehicle's requirements and system settings. Even if you've set the charger to its maximum rate, the EV will only draw what it needs at any given moment. Let’s go through a few common reasons why your charger might not be providing its full capability and how to address them.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Vehicle Limitations
Reason: Many vehicles have their own limitations on the charging rate they can accept, which may be lower than what the Emporia EV Charger is capable of providing.
Action: Check your vehicle's manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer to confirm the maximum charging rate your vehicle can accept. Note that some vehicles have different charging behaviors for "home charging" versus "public charging" settings.
2. App Settings
Ensure Real-Time Charge Rate:
Open the Emporia Energy app and navigate to the charge rate settings.
Confirm that the real-time charge rate is set as high as possible, keeping in mind the limits of your electrical installation and vehicle capabilities.
Energy Management Features:
Verify that no energy management features are limiting the charge rate. These may include scheduled charging, Peak Demand, Excess Solar management, PowerSmart settings as well as some utility demand response programs.
Breaker Size Considerations:
Ensure that the maximum allowable amperage in the app matches your breaker size and installation type—for example, 40A for a NEMA 14-50 outlet or 48A for hardwired installations.
3. Vehicle Settings
Adjust Vehicle Charge Rate:
Check the settings in your vehicle to ensure they allow the highest possible charge rate. Some vehicles have energy-saving or scheduling features that could be limiting the charge rate.
Confirm if your vehicle's settings separate "home" and "public" charging rates, and adjust accordingly if applicable.
4. Environmental Factors
Battery Temperature:
If the battery is too hot or too cold, the vehicle may reduce the charging rate to protect the battery.
If your charger is located outdoors, consider environmental factors like direct sunlight or freezing conditions that could be impacting the charging rate.
Battery Charge Level:
If the battery is near full, the charging rate will decrease automatically to avoid overcharging and protect the battery's longevity. Try testing the charging rate when the battery level is lower.
5. Physical Installation Check
Ensure that your Emporia EV Charger is installed correctly and that all electrical connections meet the recommended specifications for safe, efficient charging.
6. Testing Compatibility
Try Another Charger:
If possible, test your vehicle with another Level 2 AC charger to see if it reaches a higher charging rate.
Alternatively, try using your Emporia EV Charger with another vehicle to determine if the issue is vehicle-specific or related to the charger setup.
Escalating the Issue
If you have tried all the steps above and still experience low charging rates, it may be time to escalate the issue. Please contact Emporia Customer Support for advanced diagnostics. We can remotely analyze your EV Charger’s behavior and adjust settings to facilitate more detailed troubleshooting. Ensure that your charger is connected to the Emporia cloud, as our support team will need to access diagnostic data and potentially make remote adjustments to assist you.
Feedback and Suggestions
We aim to provide comprehensive support to help you manage your energy effectively. If this article did not address your issue or if you have suggestions for improvement, please reach out to our Customer Support team. Your feedback is valuable and helps us continually improve our guides.