Guides
EV charging
guides.
Straight answers on connectors, charging speeds and what actually fits your car. No jargon, no filler.
Charging Guides
How to Read Your EV Charging Session Data
Your EV charging session data shows energy added in kWh, charge rate in kW, session duration, start and end state of charge, and cost, giving you a clear picture of every charge. kWh added is your key energy figure; charge rate shows how fast it arrived State of charge at start and end tells you how much of the battery you used Download session history from your car's app or the network portal for expense records
Charging Guides
How to Check Your EV's Maximum AC Charging Speed
Your EV's maximum AC charging speed is set by the onboard charger inside the car, and the best place to find it is the owner's manual or manufacturer's specifications page. The charger or cable can never push more power than the car's onboard charger can accept Most UK home wallboxes are single-phase 7kW; only a three-phase supply unlocks 11kW or 22kW capability Cross-reference using Zap-Map's vehicle database or ev-database.org for an independent check
How-to
How to Set Up Scheduled Charging to Hit Off-Peak Rates
Scheduled charging lets your EV charge automatically during cheap overnight electricity windows without any nightly effort on your part. Set a departure time in your car's charging menu or companion app and enter your tariff's off-peak hours A smart wallbox can manage the schedule independently and integrate directly with your energy supplier Disable the schedule before using a public charger to avoid sessions failing to start
Comparisons
Is a 3kW or 7kW Home Charger Enough for You?
A 7 kW wallbox suits most full BEV owners by roughly doubling overnight charge speed, but a 3 kW charger is adequate for low-mileage drivers and PHEVs. 7 kW adds around twice the range per hour compared with 3 kW Both can use off-peak tariff scheduling; 7 kW fits a shorter overnight window Your cable must be rated to match the wallbox output to get full speed
Comparisons
Should You Buy or Lease an EV Charging Setup?
Buying a home wallbox outright costs more upfront but saves money over the long term; leasing suits renters and those wanting lower initial outlay. Buying gives you ownership, flexibility, and no ongoing fee beyond electricity Leasing reduces upfront cost and usually includes maintenance, but you pay indefinitely Check gov.uk for current grant schemes before committing to either route
Charging Guides
Why Does My Granny Charger Charge So Slowly?
A granny charger is slow by design because a standard UK three-pin socket limits the power it can draw, adding only around 8 to 10 miles of range per hour compared with much faster wallbox or public charging options. Old sockets, long extension leads, and cold weather can slow it further beyond the inherent socket limit A dedicated 7 kW home wallbox charges roughly three times faster and is the standard upgrade for daily use A granny charger still earns its place for overnight top-ups when staying with friends or in genuine emergencies
Charging Guides
EV Charging Error Messages: What They Mean
Most EV charging errors fall into a few categories: connection problems, authentication failures, and charger hardware faults, each with a clear first step to try. A loose cable connection is the most common cause of a failed session and the easiest to fix. Authentication errors usually mean a network app session has expired or payment was declined. Overcurrent and ground fault errors are hardware faults on the charger side: report them and move on.
Charging Guides
Why Is My EV Charging at a Lower Speed Than Usual?
Slower EV charging is usually caused by battery temperature, high state of charge, a charger sharing power, or a cable or setting limiting current. Cold or hot batteries trigger BMS speed limits to protect cells Charging naturally slows above around 80% on rapid DC chargers A cable not rated for your wallbox output can be the bottleneck
How-to
My Home Charger Keeps Tripping: Common Causes
A repeatedly tripping home EV charger is usually caused by a circuit overload, an earth fault, the wrong RCD type, a faulty cable, or a fault in the car's onboard charger. Check whether the MCB or RCD is tripping to identify whether it is an overcurrent or earth-leakage fault Try a different cable and, if possible, a different car to isolate the source of the fault EV charger circuits should use a Type B RCD; an outdated Type A may need upgrading by a qualified electrician
How-to
Why Does My EV Only Charge to a Certain Percentage?
Your EV stopping short of 100 per cent is almost always a deliberate charge limit set to protect long-term battery health. Check the charge limit in your car's menu or companion app and raise it for long trips Scheduled charging or a battery management system pause can also cause early stops Genuine capacity loss over time is normal but should be checked against the manufacturer's warranty
Charging Guides
My EV Stopped Charging Halfway: What to Do
An EV stopping mid-charge is usually caused by a communication glitch, loose cable, payment timeout, or charge limit setting, and most cases can be fixed on the spot in minutes. Unplug and reseat the cable at both ends, then wait for the handshake before checking again Re-authenticate with the charger using your card or app to restart the session If the problem follows you to other chargers, inspect the cable for damage or check the car for a fault code
How-to
How to Avoid EV Charging Queues
Most EV charging queues are avoidable with a little planning: check live availability, charge at off-peak times, and use destination chargers rather than waiting at rapid sites. Use Zap-Map to check live charger status before you arrive at any public site. Aim for 80% charges on long trips and move on rather than queuing for 100%. Motorway sites are busiest on Friday and Sunday afternoons and during school holidays.
How-to
What Is Autocharge at Public Chargers?
Autocharge lets your EV start a public charging session automatically when you plug in, by recognising your car's MAC address, with no app or card needed at the charger. Register your car with supported networks once via their app Not every network or charger supports it; carry a backup payment method Plug and Charge (ISO 15118) is a more secure evolution of the same idea
How-to
Do You Pay Overstay Fees at EV Chargers?
Yes, many UK public EV chargers apply overstay fees once your charging session ends, though policies and grace periods vary by network. Fees are most common at rapid and ultra-rapid hubs; slower destination chargers often have none Check the network app before plugging in for the current fee and any grace period Set a phone alarm or enable app notifications so you move the car promptly when charging finishes
How-to
Why Won't My Car Start Charging at a Public Charger?
Public chargers fail to start for a handful of predictable reasons, all of which you can check in minutes. Check the cable connection first: both ends must click firmly into place Verify payment is authorised via the network app or a contactless tap Check your car's charge limit and scheduled charging settings before blaming the hardware
Comparisons
What Is Contactless vs App Payment at EV Chargers?
At UK public chargers you can pay by tapping a contactless card or using the network's app, and each method has distinct trade-offs for cost, convenience, and features. Contactless needs no account and works instantly, but usually gives you the pay-as-you-go rate with no session history App payment unlocks member pricing, live session data, and charging history once set up Having one or two network apps plus contactless as a fallback is the most practical approach for most drivers
Comparisons
How Do Public EV Charging Networks Differ in the UK?
UK public charging networks vary in location, speed, connector types, and payment methods, so knowing the differences helps you plan journeys and avoid getting caught out. Rapid and ultra-rapid DC chargers are tethered; AC chargers usually require you to bring your own Type 2 cable. Contactless payment is now required on newer rapid chargers, but apps and roaming RFID cards simplify multi-network use. Zapmap is the best tool for finding live charger status across all UK networks in one place.
How-to
Can Non-Tesla EVs Use Tesla Superchargers in the UK?
Yes, most non-Tesla EVs with a CCS connector can now use selected Tesla Supercharger sites in the UK via the Tesla app. Download the Tesla app and add a payment method before arriving Check the Tesla app or Zap-Map to confirm a specific site accepts non-Tesla vehicles Your car charges at its own maximum rate, not necessarily the Supercharger's peak
How-to
Using Your EV for Site Power and Power Tools (V2L)
A V2L-capable EV paired with a CEE 16A V2L cable can power drills, saws, site lighting, and other tools wherever the car can park, with no generator required. Most V2L cars output roughly 3.6kW, enough for most hand tools used one at a time Use site-rated extension leads with RCD protection for outdoor tool use Check start-up current ratings as motors briefly spike demand at switch-on
How-to
Can You Run a Campsite Hookup From Your EV?
Yes, if your EV has V2L, a CEE 16A V2L cable lets it supply power through the same blue commando socket used by campsite hookup pedestals, so your caravan hookup lead plugs straight in. Works best at sites with no hookup, replacing a generator Most V2L cars output roughly 3.6kW, enough for typical touring loads Monitor battery charge: leave enough in reserve for the drive home
How-to
How to Power a Caravan or Campervan From Your EV
Use a CEE 16A V2L cable to connect your EV's Vehicle-to-Load output to your caravan's hookup lead. The car parks up, activates V2L mode, and supplies mains-style power through the blue commando socket. Your existing caravan hookup lead plugs straight into the CEE 16A socket on the V2L cable Most V2L cars output roughly 3.6kW, enough for typical touring caravan loads Monitor the car's state of charge and keep enough in reserve to drive on
Comparisons
CEE 16A vs 3-Pin V2L: Which Adapter Do You Need?
Choose a CEE 16A V2L cable for caravans and campsite hookups; choose a 3-pin V2L cable for standard household appliances. The power output is the same either way, set by the car's inverter. CEE 16A connects directly to caravan hookup leads and campsite pedestals 3-pin suits home appliances and standard-plug tools Neither cable changes the available power, which is fixed by the car
Charging Guides
What Is a CEE 16A V2L Cable and What Can It Power?
A CEE 16A V2L cable lets you use your EV's built-in Vehicle-to-Load inverter to supply power through the blue commando socket used by caravans and campsite hookups. Outputs roughly 3.6kW on most V2L cars, enough for campsite essentials Plugs straight into caravan hookup leads and campsite pedestals Power output is set by the car's inverter, not the cable
How-to
Does V2G Wear Out Your EV Battery?
V2G does add charge cycles to your EV battery, but well-managed systems are designed to limit depth of discharge and keep additional wear within acceptable bounds. Additional cycling from V2G contributes gradually to battery degradation, but the rate depends on how the system is managed Check your manufacturer's current warranty position before enrolling in any V2G scheme Home V2G at low power rates is typically gentler than rapid DC public charging