Solving Common Charging Problems for EV Owners

Whether you're new to electric vehicles or a seasoned EV owner, this blog is an EV owner’s go-to guide for tackling the most common charging problems with ease and confidence.

Person standing by electric car plugged with charging cable

Whilst driving an electric vehicle (EV) for the first time is a big step into the unknown, particularly when it comes to the public EV charging experience, it is a lot simpler than you may imagine.

In this blog, we discuss some common EV charging problems with some all-important solutions:

What to do when your EV is plugged in but not charging

How to improve your EV’s range

What to do if your EV has run out of charge mid-journey

What to do if the EV charging cable is stuck in the vehicle

General EV Charging Problems

My EV is not charging – what do I do?

There are several reasons why your vehicle might not be charging. To resolve the issue, you need to get to the root of the problem, which will help ensure an incident like this is prevented in the future.

The issue could be as simple as the battery is already ‘full’ (generally, rapid chargers charge to 80%), and so a charge is not necessary.

Using an extension cable to charge your car might be causing the problem, given that the current provided by rapid chargers and home charging points is more than the extension cable can cope with. Remove the need for the extension cable by positioning your car closer to the charger.

Is your vehicle compatible with the charge point connector? If not, you will not be able to charge. There are two types of connectors: CHAdeMO and CCS. If your car is only equipped for a CCS connector, you will not be able to charge with a CHAdeMO connector, and vice versa.

But the problem might not be within your control – if the charging station is not working, there may be an internal malfunction. If this is the case, contact the charge point operator (CPO). CPOs usually offer a 24/7 customer service helpline, and they may be able to start a charge for you or redirect you to another available charger.

Mer has a 24/7 customer helpline. If you experience any difficulty with a Mer charger, contact our team with the socket identification number. Both are located on our charger points.

The range of my EV is poor – how can I improve it?

The range of an EV on a single charge depends on the vehicle. Whilst most new vehicles have a range of 80-250 miles, many family models can cover 110-180 miles, whilst some premium EV models cover 250-300+ miles.

Many factors affect your EV’s range. Knowing how long an EV Battery lasts and how to optimise it is important. Driving at a high speed with significant acceleration, using the air conditioning or heating features, or even the outside temperature may affect your range.

The first stage in improving your EV’s range is protecting the health of the battery. Charging up to 80% and not below 20% will preserve the battery’s health, meaning it will hold more energy and therefore the range for a single charge will improve.

There are other behavioural ways of improving your EV’s range. Regenerative braking will help prevent range reduction, and when driving in winter months, try preheating your car and checking the air pressure of your tyres to decrease the rolling resistance. We considered how the cold weather affects your vehicle’s performance, and shared our tips for combatting these issues.

Can I charge my EV in the rain?

You can charge your electric vehicle in any weather. Though your EV’s performance may be compromised in poor weather, Mer’s charge points are built to be protected from rain and other weather.

My EV has run out of power mid-journey – what do I do?

Most EVs work similar to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE). It will tell you when your battery is running low, and some also prompt regenerative breaking and reduce your maximum speed to maintain the remaining power. It is advised you prevent the battery running below 20% to preserve the battery in the long-term.

If you find yourself without any power on the road and without access to a charger, call for road assistance. To prevent future breakdowns, plan for your journey (especially long distances) and charge your car in enough time; see below for more advice on this.

The charging cable is stuck – how do I release it?

Resolving this issue depends on where the cable gets stuck. If your cable is stuck in the charge point, you should contact the helpline of the charge point operator

If the cable is stuck in your car, you can try to lock and unlock your car. Most cars also have a manual release.

Public EV charge point problems

As of May 2023, there were 62,536 public charging points in the UK. If you are out and about and need to charge your EV, the growing public EV charging network is at your disposal.

I don’t have time to charge my EV – what can I do?

Time is a key factor in getting the most out of the EV experience. Charging your vehicle in enough time before you travel will ensure it is ready for the journey, with the added benefit of a cheaper charge due to the lower demand for electricity of your charge overnight.

Sometimes, however, time is of the essence. You may have run out of time before having to leave for work in the morning, or the charge has taken longer than anticipated.

Rapid charging is the ideal solution to quick, on-demand charging, as the EV charging speed makes a huge difference. You can charge your battery to 80% in just 20-40 minutes with 50kWh-350kWh chargers, which can be found on major routes, retail parks and hubs.

If you do not have access to a rapid charger, planning your route in advance and noting where you will be able to charge during the journey is your next option. Get as much charge into the vehicle as you have time for before you set off and depart with the confidence that there are charging opportunities on-route for a top-up if necessary.

I cannot find a charger – what do I do?

To find a Mer public charging station, visit our Driver Portal to find a charger near to your current location, on route to or at your destination. You can filter your search by charging speed and connector type.

Zap Map, the electric charge point app, also shows where you can find your closest Mer charge points.