If your charging session is delivering less power than the station’s maximum rating, it is usually due to one of three factors: the vehicle, the location’s infrastructure, or software configurations.
New to EV charging? Read our guide on How EV Charging Speeds Work to understand the basics of kW, battery sizes, and charging times.
Vehicle Factors
In most cases, the car’s onboard computer determines the charging speed:
State of Charge: Most EVs slow down significantly after 80% to protect the battery’s long-term health.
Battery Temperature: If the battery is too hot or too cold, the car will request less power to ensure safety.
Intake Limits: Every EV has a maximum charging limit. If your car is rated for 7 kW, it will not charge faster even on a 19 kW station.
Infrastructure & Hardware
Physical factors at the charging location can affect the output:
Power Sharing: If multiple EVs are charging at once, the location may be sharing the available electricity between all active sessions.
Thermal Regulation: If the charging cable or internal components get too warm, the system automatically lowers the power to prevent overheating.
Grid Demand: During times of extreme local power demand, the available voltage from the grid may decrease, resulting in lower power output.
Software Configurations
The station may be programmed to manage energy output for efficiency:
Load Management: Software balances the power across all chargers to ensure the building’s electrical capacity is not exceeded.
Output Capping: Station owners may set a maximum power limit.
Scheduled Throttling: Some locations are configured to reduce power during peak hours.
Quick Troubleshooting
For Drivers: Check if your battery is above 80% or if many other cars are charging nearby. If neither is true, try reconnecting the cable.
For Owners: Review your management dashboard to check for any active Power Limits or Load Balancing rules.