There are several reasons why your car charges slower than expected:
1. Your car
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Battery temperature
A cold battery will charge slower than a ' hot' battery. On several cars, the battery will preheat if you set your route guidance to a fast charger (DC). -
Battery percentage
If your battery is low, it will be able to charge much faster than a battery that is still almost full. The last 10-20% will always charge at a lower rate. This protects your battery from overheating and helps preserve its lifespan. -
(Manual) settings in the car
You can also set yourself in the car at what maximum speed you want to charge and to what level you want to charge the battery.
It is also the case that a full EV car can charge faster than a hybrid. In most cases, a hybrid supports a maximum of 3,7 kW.
2. The charging station
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Maximum charging current set
The type of grid connection (230 V single-phase, 230 V three-phase, 400 V three-phase + neutral conductor) as well as the strength of your home installation (maximum current of your main circuit breaker (Amps)) play an important role in the maximum charging current your charging station can deliver. -
Active load balancing
To protect your home installation, the charging station will also reduce the charging current if large consumers (sauna, induction cooker, etc.) are active in the home.
At larger charging locations, a smart charging network can also be applied. Depending on the occupancy of the charging stations, among other things, this will also influence the charging speeds. -
Type of cable used to connect the charging station to the home installation
We recommend a power cable 5G6. With lower wire sections (e.g. 5G2.5), you limit the power / charging speed.
3. Digital meter
If the P1 port is not activated (anymore), this also affects the charging speed of the charging station. The charging station goes into a kind of safe-mode because it expects information from the P1 port regarding energy consumption in the home, but does not receive that info.
When changing energy supplier, it is common for the P1 port to be deactivated.
Read here how to (re)activate the P1 port
4. Energy management system
The charging station is controlled via an external energy management system. Load balancing, peak shaving, green charging (using energy from the solar panels), .... influence the charging speed.
5. The supplied charging cable
The type of cable supplied with your car is also a determining factor in the charging speed.
Charging cable 5G6
This type of cable allows a maximum of 32A to flow per conductor or stage. The illustration below shows the influence of maximum charging current, type of mains connection and type of car on the maximum charging capacity.
Formula for maximum charging capacity at 1-phase + 3-phase without neuter:
230V x maximum charging current (A) = charging power (kW)
Exception: In most cases, a hybrid car supports maximum 3.7 kW
Formula for maximum charging power at 3-phase with neuter:
√3 x 400V x maximum charging current (A) = charging power (W)
Exception: Most full EVs support a maximum of 11 kW at an AC charging station
Charging cable 5G2,5
This type of cable allows a maximum of 20A to flow per conductor or stage. The illustration below shows the influence of maximum charging current, type of mains connection and type of car on the maximum charging capacity.
Formula for maximum charging capacity at 1-phase + 3-phase without neuter:
230V x maximum charging current (A) = charging power (kW)
Exceptions:
- The moment the charging station charges monophase or 3-phase without a neuter, you can charge at a maximum of 4,6 kW.
- In most cases, a hybrid car supports maximum 3,7 kW
Formula for maximum charging power at 3-phase with neuter:
√3 x 400V x maximum charging current (A) = charging power (W)