[EV-Driver]

(Edited to correct errors in my statements)

Yesterday, I finished a road trip leaving my ID.4 with an estimated 44 miles to go. I decided to stop by the Electrify America station not far from home rather than charge at home. I figured, at a low SOC and just coming off the highway, I would get a decent charging rate and it wouldn't take long.

As what seems to be the case lately, there was only one station working out of four. The only open charger was a dual CCS - CHAdeMO 150kW station. I pugged in and the charging started right off. Good, I thought. Then came the disappointing charge rate. It maxed out at 87kW.

I decided to stick around and get some juice because nobody was waiting and at home, it charges at 7.5kW.

After a few minutes the charge rate had dropped to 84kW. So when someone pulled up needing to charge, I told him that I would stop and let him use the working charger. I kind of wish I had stayed to see what his ICONIC would get because in the past, I've seen other cars consistently get better charging rates than I get.

Yes, I understand the variables, like temperature, SOC, battery conditioning, but this wasn't unusual. It seems like the norm in my experience.

So, what's the consensus here? Is the low charge rate the fault of EA or is it ID.4?

The next time I do a fast charge, I'm going to EVgo just to get a comparison.

 

[SunWizard]

WIth a $25 dongle and car scanner you can answer the question every time. It shows what the car is requesting, and what the charger is delivering. Usually low rate is due to cold battery. It depends on what model year you have and battery temp. Would be good to put in your profile so you don't need to repeat it in many posts. If a 2021 and your SOC was 44% then 87kw is a very good rate and right what is expected with a warm battery. See this charge curve for warm >68F battery 2021:

Volkswagen ID.4 (82 kWh) In-Depth DC Fast Charging Analysis

Volkswagen ID.4, one of the hottest new electric cars on the market, is offering quite good charging characteristics. Let's check how good it actually is.

insideevs.com

 

[Dougie01]

87 kW is more than I ever get on my 2022. Typical is around 75 kW in summer highway conditions. It's not the chargers.

 

[EV-Driver]

Well, that charging analysis does tell a lot. However, I recall that on my road trip from Washington to California and back, I did see charging rates higher than 100kW. It must have been that the SOC was lower and the outside temps were much warmer.

 

[Manybees]

Btw, I myself would not consider 44% “a low SOC”.

 

[pokepud3]

I got 160kw today charging at 70c 15% SOC. Highest ever at an ea station. 2023 pro s.

 

[EV-Driver]

Oh, oh. I think I goofed with that SOC comment. It should be the miles that were estimated to be left. Not long before arriving back in town from the highway, the car told me that I should stop and charge. I know that happens at around 60 miles estimated.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[LongRoof]

44% isn't a low soc, you won't see high charge rates until you're pulling in at 20% or lower. I generally aim to hit chargers with a maximum of 15%.

 

[BlueDH]

I would consider less than 15-20% SOC as low.
VW should provide battery preconditioning as well as average battery internal temperature on the Vehicle screen.

 

[id4alex]

at home, it charges at 27kW.

What kind of home charger do you have?

 

[Pfrancis24]

What kind of home charger do you have?

I suspect this is meant to be 27mph, unless they have a DC charger at home....

Quick mental calc would put the 27kW at well over what a 120amp circuit can deliver. As for AC/home charging, a 60amp circuit maxes out the onboard charger rate of 11.7kW.

 

[EV-Driver]

What kind of home charger do you have?

It’s a ChargePoint that I’ve had since 2016.

 

[EV-Driver]

I suspect this is meant to be 27mph, unless they have a DC charger at home....

Quick mental calc would put the 27kW at well over what a 120amp circuit can deliver. As for AC/home charging, a 60amp circuit maxes out the onboard charger rate of 11.7kW.

You'll have to forgive me. I'm old; and confused, most of the time. Yeah, 27-30 mph is the correct terminology. Just like I confused 44% SOC when it was 44 est. miles left.

When I looked the receipt from EA, I stopped the charging session at 48% SOC after a 16:19 minute session.

 

[pooge30]

I suggest you go to YouTube and watch and learn. Look at these channels. State of Charge, Out of Spec Guide. Many others, but those 2 are my favorite.

 

[jatrax]

WIth a $25 dongle and car scanner you can answer the question every time. It shows what the car is requesting, and what the charger is delivering.

Can you tell me what those data points are called? I have Car Scanner app and OBD dongle but I cannot find where to see what the car is requesting.

 

[rschmitz]

87 kW is more than I ever get on my 2022. Typical is around 75 kW in summer highway conditions. It's not the chargers.

I can't say scientifically, but I dumped my ID.4 because...well, software, batteries, VW arrogance, etc... and have a Polestar 2 now, all I can say, on the exact same commute and driving situations, the Polestar charges much faster at the exact same EA stations.

 

[SunWizard]

Can you tell me what those data points are called?

For what the car is requesting look at the parameter for Dynamic limit for charging in A. Multiply that by the HV battery voltage to get KW. You must look at it after you connect to the charger, since it usually lowers the number by about half after connecting. For charging rate I use HV EV battery power in KW and subtract HV Aux consumer power which is mostly the battery heater or A/C if used.
It also helps to look at battery min. temp since with just that number you can tell how much the car is going to limit the DCFC.

 

[ericy]

For what the car is requesting look at the parameter for Dynamic limit for charging in A. Multiply that by the HV battery voltage to get KW. You must look at it after you connect to the charger, since it usually lowers the number by about half after connecting. For charging rate I use HV EV battery power in KW and subtract HV Aux consumer power which is mostly the battery heater or A/C if used.
It also helps to look at battery min. temp since with just that number you can tell how much the car is going to limit the DCFC.

Here is an example from my car. There is a lot here that is relevant. Temperatures, voltages, dynamic limit, battery current.

Post a screenshot of yours when charging (preferably at low SOC), and we can help interpret.

 

[id4alex]

I can't say scientifically, but I dumped my ID.4 because...well, software, batteries, VW arrogance, etc... and have a Polestar 2 now, all I can say, on the exact same commute and driving situations, the Polestar charges much faster at the exact same EA stations.

Did you have a MY2021? I've seen messages that new cars charge faster. Not sure if it's true. For me, (I don't commute via car to work nor have home charging), it charges fast enough but I was always a fan of taking breaks when going on road trips. It would be nice if there were more places to charge on trips so one would feel more comfortable driving down to 15%.

 

[agzand]

I have a 2021 and it has been many many months since I saw >100kW. It is either weather related (temps below 70F) or the car is throttling, which is odd because I have had about 3000 miles of DCFC max. Even in mild weather (about 600F) I don't get more than 75kW or so these days.

I am not concerned too much, would rather stop 5 minutes longer than degrade battery.