Slow charging doesn’t always mean the charger is broken. Charging speed can vary based on your vehicle, the charger, and conditions at the site.
Common reasons include:
- Your EV limits charging speed, especially as the battery fills up.
- Power is shared with another vehicle at the same station.
- Very hot or cold weather slows charging for battery safety.
- The cable or connector isn’t fully plugged in.
What you can do:
- Check the session in the AmpUp app.
- Try a different charger if available.
Contact AmpUp Support if the charger consistently delivers much less power than expected.
Q: Why does charging seem to slow down as the battery gets more full?
Battery State of Charge (SoC) can influence charging speeds, sometimes causing an electric car to charge slower. SoC essentially represents how close to fully charged your car battery is in percentages.
Unlike gas-powered vehicles that refuel at a consistent rate, electric vehicles equipped with lithium-ion batteries see varying charging speeds based on their SoC. EV batteries tend to charge faster at lower SoC (e.g., 20%) compared to higher ones (e.g., 80%). As a result, charging an EV from 0 to 80 percent can be quicker than charging it from 80 to 100 percent.
This charging pattern is not only a result of battery chemistry but also serves as a protective measure to prevent overheating and preserve the battery. Some EV manufacturers advise against regularly charging their EVs above 80 percent.
Reference: https://www.trueenergy.io/blog/why-your-electric-car-is-charging-slower-than-you-expected