The listed charger power level (e.g., 180 kW) is a maximum charging rate that the charger can provide, but a number of factors can cause your EV to charge at a slower rate. Usually, the charging rate is limited because the vehicle is limiting the charging rate. The most common causes of a lower rate are:
• The EV’s maximum allowed charging rate is lower than the charger’s max rate (example: a Chevy Bolt has a maximum charging rate of 55 kW).
• The EV is limiting the charging rate because the battery is nearly full (example: over 80% SOC); but note that many vehicles begin to slow down the charging rate well before 80% SOC.
• If two EVs are plugged into the same charger, the charger’s maximum charging rate will be shared between the two vehicles. (Whenever possible, plug into a charger that does not already have a vehicle plugged in, to maximize the charging rate for your vehicle.)
• The EV is limiting the charging rate because the battery pack isn’t functioning correctly, or due to high or low temperatures.
• To keep charging costs as low as possible, the chargers at this site may have a limit on the total amount of power they can draw from the utility grid. So if possible, to avoid any limitation on charging rate, it helps to charge at a time when there are fewer vehicles charging on-site.
Also note that it can take a few minutes for the charger to ramp up to its maximum charging rate after the vehicle begins charging.
Please refer to your EV owner’s manual to learn more.