Common reasons an EV won’t charge include the following:

• No power in the outlet
• Charge cable problem
• Third-party charger is faulty
• Weather conditions
• Charging timer is set in your phone app

In this post, we’ll look at the most common causes of an EV that won’t charge, and of course, we’ll cover what you can do to fix it right now!

We’ll look at an EV that won’t charge at home first before looking at EVs that refuse to charge at a charge station.

If your EV is a Tesla, you may find the following links more helpful:

• Tesla model 3 won’t charge
• Tesla Y won’t charge
• Tesla charging Issues
• Tesla FAQ.

If your EV is a Hyundai, check out:

• Hyundai Kona won’t charge
• Hyundai Ioniq won’t charge

• For VW owners, check out VW iD4 won’t charge
• For Nissan owners, check out Nissan Leaf won’t charge
• For Porsche owners, check out Porsche Taycan won’t charge
• For Audi owners, check out the Audi e-tron won’t charge
• For Mercedes owners, check out Mercedes Benz EQS won’t charge
• For Ford owners, check out Can you jump start a Mustang Mach-E?

EV Not Charging At Home

The most common cause of home EV charging issues is a charge cable fault. And many are easy to fix, requiring no tools or parts. Typically, one of the following may be at fault:

• No power in the cable
• Damaged cable
• Corroded cable
• Foreign bodies in cable

No Power in Cable

The first thing to check is the power. It may seem obvious, but the socket that you’re plugged into might not be receiving any power. All EV chargers have a light system of some kind to indicate power is being received by the car. If the lights are not on, then there is no power flow.

Possible causes and quick solutions include:

• Someone may have unplugged your cable from the wall or car (It happens) – Check the plugs
• It might not be fully plugged in – someone may have tugged on it by accident – Check the plugs
• There may currently be / or have been a power outage – Check the power
• The circuit may be tripped due to an overload – Check your circuit board

If you find the circuit board has tripped, turn it back on at the circuit board again. If it trips again with your car plugged in, you have an overload.

Go ahead and check the garage for anything unusual that is plugged in. Try unplugging everything, and then try your EV charger again.

If this has corrected your problem, fantastic! If not, you may have a cable issue, which we’ll cover next.

Damaged EV Cable

The cable that connects to your car is quite sturdy. However, they still get damaged, very often, by repeatedly driving over them. Cables should be treated with care and inspected regularly. Handling a damaged cable is dangerous; touching exposed wires will cause electrical shock.

Before examining your cable, make sure it is disconnected at both ends before thoroughly checking. If you find any nicks or broken outer casing, order a new cable. They can be repaired, but unless you are an electrician, I would strongly advise against doing so.

If you can’t find any visible cracks or splits in the cable, check each terminal end thoroughly. Sometimes after charging, the connectors drop on the ground outside or on the garage floor (usually concrete).

Repeatedly doing so can cause terminal damage. Replace damaged charge cables, as they can cause damage to your batteries due to irregular charging.

Corroded EV Connector

Terminal corrosion can’t be fixed. Do not spray any anti-corrosion liquid or formula into the charger terminal connector. If your cable lives outside, then moisture is going to cause corrosion. If possible, keep your cable and connector dry at all times and out of the weather. This may mean you must arrange an outdoor shelter box if you charge consistently outdoors.

Foreign Bodies in Connector

Bugs like electrics because they generate heat. If you haven’t used your connector for a while, check that bugs haven’t moved in. If a bug is inside, some charging may happen but may be intermittent. The same can be said for fluff or any organic matter. Again don’t use any cleaning solution. Unplug both ends and use a soft dry brush or a cotton bud if necessary. Try not to introduce anything further into the connection.

Away From Home and Not Charging

Up to this point, we’ve considered why your EV won’t charge at home. But what if you are out and about and pull into a Supercharger or Destination Charger and can’t seem to get it to work? Well, that’s exactly what we’ll look at next.

Some of the more common reasons Superchargers and Destination chargers don’t charge your EV include the following:

• Incorrect cable
• Station charging fault
• Insufficient funds

Incorrect Cable

If you’re a certain age, you’ll remember when cell phones first became popular, there was a charger for every different brand and, in some cases, different chargers within that brand. It was a nightmare. And even more so if you were away from home. EV charging is not quite as bad as that, but unfortunately, there is yet to be an agreement on a single standard terminal charging.

At a Supercharger, there are four different connections

1. Type 2 (42kW AC)
2. CHAdeMO (DC) – used by most Japanese models
3. CSS (50 – 350Kw) – used by most brands
4. Tesla DC Connector

You may find that you have been directed to a charging station that is not compatible with your car. Plugging it in will have no effect whatsoever. You likely won’t be able to plug it in as your connector won’t allow it.

Station Charging Fault

Charging at a charging station, be it a Destination Charger or Supercharger, is not always plain sailing. You might have the correct connection, and everything looks like it’s going fine, but your car is not charging because of a fault in the charger.

It’s always worth swapping to another charger, just in case. And if there’s another customer around, ask them if they are also having problems. If this is the case, you must transfer to another charging station. The charging stations are not manned and can sometimes become faulty and require repair, or they may have been tampered with somehow.

Insufficient Funds

Depending on which EV you drive will also depend on charging costs. If you’re lucky enough to have a certain Tesla, for example, you might never have to pay for a Supercharge. But all other brands will incur a cost. Some apps need to be preloaded to use the Supercharger, so check if funds are available.

Transferring money to an app is not always instantaneous; you can check other charging stations that specify ‘Free.’ However, these are usually Destination Chargers which take much longer, but they will give you enough juice to get you to another Supercharger or get you home.

EV Weather Conditions

EV vehicles can be a little temperamental when it comes to climate. EVs run on Li-ion batteries, which contain ionized fluid. If the temperature is in the -10° – 0° range, then charging is not advisable. The colder it is, the less likely your car’s onboard computers will allow a charge. Your car is programmed to protect the batteries, as charging in extreme conditions will damage the cells in your battery.

The same can be said for intense heat in desert climates. If your batteries become too hot, it can be as detrimental as too cold.

EV Charging Timer

The final fault on our list isn’t really a fault at all. It’s an operator error. Most EV owners charge their cars overnight, at home, it’s convenient, and electricity rates are cheaper. And many of us make great use of the onboard charge timer facility. The feature, as you know, allows the owner to set a timer for charging to begin and/or end; all the owner needs to do is plug it in and walk away.

However, your EV won’t accept a charge outside the pre-programmed timer window; the onboard system won’t allow it. The fix is simple here – change the timer settings.

You’ll need to go into your app and change the settings to override the timer. Some apps require a complete login to do this on your smartphone, so ensure you always have your login details.

And don’t forget to revert back to your timer when you’re done, or your EV won’t charge automatically that night.

You may also find the following links helpful:

• Tesla troubleshooting category
• Tesla charging troubleshooting category
• Hyandai troubleshooting category
• VW iD4 troubleshooting category
• Nissan Leaf troubleshooting category
• Porsche troubleshooting category
• Audi troubleshooting category

The post Electric Car Not Charging – Check these first… appeared first on EVjuicedup.

Electric cars run on rechargeable batteries; they do not employ a combustion engine or burn fossil fuels and therefore do not need or have an exhaust.

The invention of the electric vehicle has certainly brought emissions to the fore. Without an exhaust and the fumes that go along with that, they are carbon-neutral but not entirely at zero yet. Let’s examine the differences between an EV and a standard internal combustion engine car.

Differences between EV and ICE

It was way back in 1886 that Karl Benz first patented the Internal Combustion Engine. He was a German Mechanical Engineer (his company still going strong today). Although we realize the damage of emissions today, it was one of the greatest inventions of all time.

When we think of EVs, we think of Tesla and Elon, but electric vehicles have actually been around since the 1830s. There have been many different prototypes and struggles with continuity of power – much like range anxiety in the modern EV. Ultimately Ford’s Model T was one-tenth of the cost of an electric vehicle in 1910 and so was the overall winner in car manufacturing and the choice of the world going forward.

Of course, back in 1910, we didn’t know the damage that Carbon Monoxide would cause to our future selves.

But in today’s world, where only 9% of American households don’t own a car, the future of EVs is bright, with more and more of us looking to change to the electric route to save our planet.

If we look at how an electric vehicle works, we can see that it has one main component i.e., the battery. Electric vehicles need to be plugged in and charged to work. The charge is stored in the onboard lithium-ion batteries and used when the car is in motion. Due to this, we don’t have any consumable fuel as such, so there’s no need for an exhaust system.

If we look at an internal combustion engine, it is an array of moving parts. All ICE is powered by fuel (either gasoline or diesel). The fuel ignites and then combusts inside the engine. The engine then uses this energy to power the pistons, to turn a crankshaft, and ultimately to move the car. We have four distinct processes:

Intake – Compression – Combustion – Exhaust

Unfortunately, it is in the exhaust part that gives ICE its bad rep. Emissions are truly better today than they were 30 years ago, but still not as clean as an EV and never will be.

How Does an EV Run?

If we look at an EV and how clean it is, we can say that ‘Yes’ doesn’t produce the harmful NOx that ICE cars do, but it doesn’t completely negate the EV.

EVs must be charged either at home or at a charging station. The reality is that this electricity has to be produced, and, in many cases, it is produced at a power plant that is burning fossil fuels. It can be a little misleading to people who are buying EVs that think they are ultimately moving away from fossil fuels.

Of course, it’s not the same as you powering up your V6 or V8 engine and a plume of smoke exiting the tailpipe, but an EV is not entirely without its environmental effects. Many electricity plants are now using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar, but many aren’t, and many customers don’t have a say in where their electricity comes from.

EV Batteries

The resources needed to manufacture the li-ion batteries are also something that needs to be questioned. The mining of raw materials such as cobalt, predominantly in the Dominican Republic of Congo, and Lithium from Chile, must be considered. Over the car’s lifetime, it won’t equal the carbon footprint of an Ice car, but it must be factored in when we are discussing how good or bad something is for our environment.

EV Anxiety

The advantages of no exhaust obviously outweigh the disadvantages but owning an EV is not without its anxiety. I spoke recently with someone that had just purchased a new EV. They had spent $55,000 and had just completed their latest journey of 250 miles. But due to range anxiety, they did the journey with blankets on their knees and no radio! I was flabbergasted!

After spending that amount of money, turning on the heater or the radio would cause so much extra battery use that they wouldn’t have made it to their destination. Compared to a standard gasoline car that generates heat from the engine, and a couple of miles into your journey, you can enjoy cozy toes without having to think about it.

The same can be said for AC. It’s just not something we think about until we’re driving an EV. The range of EVs is getting much better, and the availability of chargers is more significant than ever across the country, but all EV owners worry about taking a trip.

If you ask an EV owner if they are glad they made the switch, they will all say yes, and that they are happy to have no exhaust but that the range anxiety is huge. That they are happy to sacrifice the heater for the sake of a few extra miles. It doesn’t really lend itself to a comfortable driving experience.

In Conclusion

Electric vehicles are a fantastic transport solution. The lack of an internal combustion engine means an electric car is, in many ways, not only cleaner but more straightforward and cheaper to build. As an electric car doesn’t have an engine, it does not need components such as an exhaust.

However, it’s not all gravy; we can’t ignore the source of our electric power, and don’t forget the cost to the environment. Mining the raw materials needed for EV batteries is a dirty business.

You also like the following posts:

• Are electric cars worth it?
• What to do if Tesla runs out of charge
• Does iD4 have a spare tire?
• Is Tesla model 3 a luxury car?

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category right here.

The post Do Electric Cars Have an Exhaust? No, this is why… appeared first on EVjuicedup.

Electric Vehicles are a smart choice so long as you are a homeowner with access to a regular charger outlet and your daily commute is short.

I recently bought a new car. I bought a hybrid. I did consider an electric, but I live quite rurally and am worried about the range. But there are a lot of positives to owning an EV. Let’s look at them now.

Value of an EV

The US average spending on a new car is $38,000-41,000, and $23,000 for a used car. Electric Vehicles can be disproportionately more expensive than gas cars. The average cost of a new EV is $56,000 (KBB). That’s $10-15,000 more. The question is, is an EV up to $15,000 more than a car? There are certain facts that need to be considered to understand the full comparison, notwithstanding the savings in fuel costs.

Most EVs are considered entry-level luxury cars, mainly due to the cost. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you are purchasing a lot of luxury. If we look at the top two slots are Tesla, followed by the Ford Mach-e and the Chevy Bolt.

Tesla has been making EVs since 2012, for ten years. The cost of a Tesla Model Y or a Model 3 is comparable to the national average of a gasoline car, but the overall finish is sometimes lacking. Doors not completely flush or trims not fully finished.

The Ford is available in several configurations but has a higher entry price point and a lower range distance.

The Chevy Bolt is a much smaller car for the same amount of money and, unfortunately, a serious recall issue in late 2021 due to a fire hazard.

When we are looking at a cost, we also have to look at depreciation. All cars have depreciation as soon as you leave the dealership, but EVs fair a bit better in depreciation – depending on the brand.

Most EV depreciation is comparable with a gas-powered car, but a Tesla holds its value better than most. During periods of tight supply, even a used Tesla model may be worth more than a new one.

EV Insurance

Insurance on an EV is not cheap. Insurance is always dependent on age, location, driver history, and the car you choose to drive. An EV is often seen as a luxury vehicle category regarding insurance. This is because they’re not as easily fixed as a regular sedan. They have expensive parts and require specialized tools and trained, skilled workers to repair them.

If we look at a Tesla, for example, the body is aluminum and much more expensive to repair after a collision. Tesla offers their own insurance and boasts 20-30 % cheaper costs than other companies. However, this is only available in California and Texas.

Going with a local insurance company, Tesla Model 3 will cost an average of $1900 for a 40-year-old with good driving history. This increases to $2100 for a 30-year-old.

If we look at a Hyundai Kona, the insurance averages $1400 for a 40-year-old good driver.

This is compared to a Toyota Camry at $1400. They are generally comparable for the small to mid-size, but if you step into the upper end of luxury EVs such as Tesla or Audi, you’re adding at least $200 – $300 to your insurance.

EV Reliability

It stands to reason that EVs are more reliable than gas cars as they have fewer moving parts that can cause problems. However, although this is true, they are considered new technology and lack the experience of 100+ years of ICE. Don’t believe it, check out the number of posts on this small site relating to EV charging issues alone:

• Tesla model 3 won’t charge
• Tesla Y won’t charge
• Tesla charging Issues
• VW iD4 won’t charge
• Nissan Leaf won’t charge
• Porsche Taycan won’t charge
• Audi e-tron won’t charge
• Mercedes Benz EQS won’t charge
• Can you jump start a Mustang Mach-E?

And so just because they have fewer things to go wrong, you may find that repairing your EV might not be as easy or inexpensive as you imagine due to a lack of knowledge.

EVs will account for approximately 1.5% of new car sales in the US in 2021. However, that number is growing year on year. Tesla does have the lion’s share, without a doubt. They sold more than 300,000 units in 2021, compared to the next EV brand, Ford, with sales of 27,000.

Tesla is not known for its perfect finish. Trim may be rattling, doors don’t quite close, or stitching may not be perfect, but when asked about reliability, Tesla owners are very satisfied.

JD Power surveyed 10000 EVC and Hybrid owners, and 82% said they were happy with the reliability. Even Tesla drivers are happy to ignore all the imperfections.

It seems the higher the initial purchase cost, the less reliable the EV is. This generally has to do with problems with interior technology more than the day-to-day running of the car. The more expensive the EV, the more tech and onboard computers it will have, which ultimately causes trouble.

However, as said, most EV drivers are happy to settle for less reliability as they are more concerned with owning an EV than a gas-powered car. This may change in the future, though, as EV owners will be a broader spectrum, choosing to buy an EV not necessarily for the green element but more for cost-efficiency.

EV Cost Efficiency

So we have looked at the initial entry cost of EV and determined that the cost is higher. But when we consider running costs and general maintenance, we are pleasantly surprised. The main consideration is fuel. No more pumping gas, which is rocketing in price at the moment. ($112 per barrel at 2 Mar 22). We still need to charge an EV, and electricity is not free, but it’s currently a lot cheaper than gas.

The majority of EV owners charge their cars at home. The cost of electricity varies immensely throughout the US from 9c/kW hour to 23c. But the average is 13c and has been in and around that price for over a decade.

If we can imagine that we charge our EV each day for 8-10 hours at 13c/kW, and it takes approximately 40kW to charge to 90%, the cost of a fill (so to speak) will cost $5.20. If we then convert this to a yearly cost where a full charge is approximately 250 miles, and the average person drives 12000 miles per year, this comes to a grand total of $250 for home charging. Wow!

We do have to factor in the initial setup costs of home charging which can be as much as $1000, but compared to gas, EV wins hands down.

The other cost efficiency is general maintenance. You will still have to replace tires, wipers, bulbs, etc., but no oil or filters (apart from the cabin) to replace or replenish every 6-10,000 miles. Even brake discs last longer due to their regenerative nature of them.

But note EV tires are different from regular ICE tires; many EV tires are engineered to withstand greater weight and reduced friction, which basically amounts to more expensive tires. We wrote a couple of posts about Tesla tires:

Can I use any tires on my Tesla?

Are Tesla tires all season?

Maintaining a Tesla Model 3 for the first ten years is $3587. That works out at over $8k cheaper than a comparable-sized gas sedan.

EV Driveability

What’s it actually like to drive an EV? Well, the first startling point is the sound or lack of sound. Do you find recently you’re in a parking lot and get the fright of your life as you realize there’s a car immediately behind you or beside you? You didn’t realize it because of the lack of engine noise. That’s because there is no engine.

But lack of engine doesn’t mean lack of power. In fact, the opposite is the case. Because the power is coming from the batteries, the response is almost instantaneous. Even the smallest of EVs travel from 0-60 in under 6 seconds, and the larger EVs reduce that to under 4 seconds.

Although when you power an EV and select Drive, there are no gears, so you don’t have to think about moving up or down the gears. Even compared to an automatic, there is no sensation that the car is cycling through gears. You simply select the drive and go, and when you slow down to a stop, the brakes will regenerate the battery.

All sounds amazing. And it is, but there is the dreaded Range Anxiety. We have to talk about it. For most, it never becomes an issue. You charge your car at night. You get up and go to work or school, traveling 20-30 miles per day, return home, and charge again.

But then you need to make a longer trip. Are you going to make it? Will you make it back? If you have to charge along the way, will a charger be available? It’s not like a gas station at the corner of each block. It needs some thought. And sometimes, that range anxiety is too much for people. And instead, they buy a hybrid. (Like me)

EV Repairs

Although the maintenance costs and general servicing of an EV are much lower than a gas-powered car, that doesn’t mean they won’t or don’t need repairs. The biggest concern that you may have is about the Li-ion batteries. Most EVs have a long warranty on their batteries from new, but you need to be clear about how long this is if you are considering a used EV.

Most EV brands offer eight years or 100,000 miles for their battery warranty. Many manufacturers also will guarantee that your battery will charge 60-70% while under warranty. This is great, but if you are considering a used EV, you definitely need to check how much time is left or how many miles are still under warranty.

If you had to pay for a replacement battery, the cost could be enormous.

A Tesla battery could set you back up to $20k. Yes, you read that correctly! Although a less expensive repair can be offered by Tesla servicing, where they only replace some of the cell modules.

Other brands are of similar cost. A Chevy Bolt battery replacement can cost up to $16k, with a Nissan Leaf costing a more reasonable $5500. An Audi e Tron can cost an eye-watering $36000.

It’s a huge consideration when choosing an EV. One, if you’re considering a used EV, but two, if you travel a lot, the battery may just not go the distance.

Comparing Different EVs

Choosing an EV is a big decision. There is a lot to consider, from the cost to the range to whether it is the right decision for you at this time.

If you currently rent an apartment or house, can you install a charger? What if you have to move? Are you prepared to pay the installation fee a second time? Do you move a lot of people from place to place? i.e., are you a soccer mom? If you do, you’ll need a bigger EV, which will cost much more. Is it going to be the main household car? Maybe the other car is a utility truck.

If so, how would you feel about taking a trip long distance?

These are all questions that need more consideration than a regular gas car. Below is a table for some different household values.

In Conclusion

An EV is a consideration for a small number of buyers currently. This is expected to grow year on year, especially with emission levels required to be reduced by countries worldwide. But choosing an EV has many more questions attached to it than a standard gas vehicle. Including where you live and how much mileage you do daily.

An EV is worth it when weighing up the cost efficiency but may be outweighed by the range anxiety or the unsuitability of owning an EV within your family unit.

You may find the following posts helpful:

Is a Model 3 a luxury car?

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category right here.

The post Are Electric Cars Worth It? Not for everyone! appeared first on EVjuicedup.