MG ZS EV Charging Options

[@grahamhaywood178]

Thanks, this explained a lot about how to charge an mg ev. I'm thinking of buying either an mg zs ev or an mg4. I was talking to a salesman who said mgs use type 2 not ccs, but your video has made clear that by combining the 2 connection types you can use ccs rapid charging. Thanks.

[@twincarbs8637]

Sadly, despite being several years into EV ownership, many salespeople still don't know the first thing about EV's - not even the basic's. Worse still, this can also be an indicator of how clued up (or otherwise) their mechanics are. CCS stands for combined charging system. Hence why you can connect two different styles of connectors in one socket. I have to say that, in 2 years of ownership of my MG ZS EV, it has never let me down once - which actually ranks in higher in terms of reliability than any of the Jaguars I have owned in the past. I haven't seen an MG4 yet but I have a test drive booked when I take my ZS for a service in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping they might let me do a quick review at the same time.

[@davrov8610]

I have an MG ZS EV and was wondering if you could set the charging limit to 80% from the infotainment screen in the car?

[@twincarbs8637]

@@davrov8610 Not sure why you would want to. If using an AC charger, it is recommended that you regularly charge to 100% and beyond in order to balance the cells in the battery. When using a DC charger (CCS) the on board battery management system will slow down the charging rate to protect the battery.

[@vascularlab]

Please can you explain what a balance charger is?

[@twincarbs8637]

On the MG ZS EV, when the car is charging the MG badge on the charge flap with pulse on and off. Once the charge reaches 100%, the car then "balances" or "equalises" the main traction battery. The traction battery isn't just one big battery, it is made up of over 400 small individual cells. What happens when the car is "balancing the battery" is that it checks each individual cell voltage and makes sure that each battery is functioning at the same level, topping up when necessary. During this period the MG badge will glow continuously. Once balancing is complete, the badge will extinguish. This is referred to as "Equalisation Charging" in the MG manual. It recommends that this is done at regular intervals. If an equalisation charge has not been carried out for some time the message centre in the instrument pack will display 'Please Slow Charge the Vehicle'. Please refer to 'Slow Charging' in the 'Starting and Driving' section. On average it takes at least 7.5 hours to complete a charge that includes the equalisation charge. Not all makes and models of car operate in this way - it depends on the chemistry used in the battery system. Hope that helps!

[@bassa69]

How do you pay for the electricity

[@stevenpercy4172]

I pick up my new ZSEV next week and I am still confused about charging, I think I have read to much and have managed to confuse myself. In basic terms how do I do it and what do I do? HELP lol

[@twincarbs8637]

It can be confusing at first but you'll soon get the hang of it. There are 3 main methods of charging and the one you use most will be determined by how you use the car, and also by where you live. The first method is slow charging, sometimes called a "Granny Charger". Your car will come with a Granny Charger which has a "Type 2" connector at one end, which connects to the car, and a standard 13 Amp plug on the other. If you have access to a 13 Amp socket close to where you park your car then this is a good option. This will charge your car at up to 3Kw per hour, which is pretty slow and can take up to 16 hours or so for a full charge. If you are a high mileage user, this is probably not the best option so you may want to install a home charger, also known as a "Fast Charger". This can supply AC electricity to your car but note that the onboard charger will charge the battery at a maximum of 6.5Kw. In this case a full charge can take around 6 or 7 hours. It should be noted that it is rare that you will have to charge from empty every time. If you are doing say 70 miles per day and have the ability to plug in at home then a Granny charger is probably all you'll need. Just plug it in when you get home and it'll be fully charged by the morning. Both of the above options use a Type 2 connector. Type 2 chargers are also common place at public charging stations. The ZS EV also has the ability to accept a CCS connector (Combine Charging System). This basically combines allows you to connect the type 2 connector with additional DC connectors. CCS connectors are usually referred to as Rapid Chargers and range from about 25kw to 150kw and above. Here you can do a full charge in under an hour, although they do slow down from about 80% battery capacity to protect your battery. It is not recommended to charge on CCS chargers all the time, or regularly charge above 80%. This is because the AC chargers allow the car to balance the battery pack at the end of a charge cycle, whereas the DC chargers don't. In short, plug it in and switch the charger on. All the public chargers are different so you just have to learn as you go, or ask a fellow EV owner at the charger. They're and friendly bunch and will be happy to help you out. Drive it. Enjoy it. Charge it.

[@stevenpercy4172]

@@twincarbs8637 thank you so much for getting back to me so soon. I am retired so i dont have a daily comute. B.P Pulse will be installing a home charger as its part of the package im getting, so are you saying its better to use the "granny" most of the time and use the charger if i am doing a run or lots of miles as we have a static caravan on the east coast i live in merseyside? Again thank you.

[@twincarbs8637]

@@stevenpercy4172 If you are having a home charger installed then it will be classed as an AC Fast Charger. This is perfectly suitable to use all the time as it will charge the car quicker than the Granny charger but will also manage the Battery Balancing too. Keep the Granny charger in the boot for emergencies or possibly for charging at the caravan - check with the site owner first though. When charging, the MG badge on the front of the car will glow on and off. At the end of charging the light will stay on for a period of time whilst the battery is balancing. When balancing is complete, the light in the badge will go out. The charging cycle is then complete. Good luck and enjoy your new car!

[@kerplunk1984]

Is it possible to select the charge speed? For example choose to charge at 3Kw on a 7Kw charger?

[@twincarbs8637]

Not on this model.

[@keithgeorge7338]

Very good. Have you got the good BMS update? Have fun.

[@twincarbs8637]

I have no idea which version of the BMS software I am on but it's certainly not the latest "fixed" one as I do get 455V. It's difficult to know whether I have the dodgy upgrade or not as I got the car in December so it would be in the time frame for it but the weather has been so bad that the range has been poor anyway. I'll wait until all the covid nonsense goes away and have a chat with the dealer.

[@bobrichards7487]

Hope this isn't a silly question but while you are away having a coffee, is it possible for someone to annoyingly disconnect the charger or does it lock on to the charging point until you release it yourself somehow?

[@twincarbs8637]

I guess it depends on the charger. It's not possible in this example where you need to use a RFID card to stop the charge, and also to unlock the car before the charging cable can be released. However, I believe that some chargers have an emergency release button which would stop the charging process. I suspect the car would still have to be unlocked before it would release the charging cable though.

[@stephendunning4423]

I'm getting a MG5 next. What charge cable do I need to get to use a rapid charger?

[@twincarbs8637]

All rapid chargers operate at high power and are therefore fitted with their own cables - like the public charger I've used in this video. If you want to use a fast charger, which are generally 240V 3-7kw, then sometimes the chargers have a cable, sometimes they don't. In this case you need what's known as a Type 2 charger cable. MG do one which is 5m long - see if your dealer will throw one in for you, otherwise expect to pay £120 - £200 for a good one depending on length.

[@KarlJohansen]

The 2022 model will come with an onboard AC charger @ 11kW, isn't that so?

[@twincarbs8637]

It would appear so. It has only been released in Europe so far, not in UK - so we are still guessing :o)

[@KarlJohansen]

@@twincarbs8637 They're adapting quickly as for countries where public type 2 chargers are mostly 22kW, most people charging away from home have the urge for stronger onboard chargers than just the typical 6.6 to 7.4kW AC ones.

[@Telcontarnz]

I’m getting an MG ZS EV shortly, Can the granny charger be set to stop at 80%

[@twincarbs8637]

Hi Michael, The granny charger has no programable functions at all, it merely provides AC power to the car's internal charger. However, I'm not sure why you would want to stop charging from AC at 80%. This is something you would normally only want to do when using a rapid charger (Rapids charge using DC) as continued or regular use of rapid's up to 100% can be harmful to the battery. When charging the MG it is important that you fully charge the battery and leave the charger powered up and connected until the battery then "balances". Only the internal charger can do this. What this in effect means is that once the charge reaches 100% the internal battery management system then checks the voltage level on each individual cell within the battery back. This ensures the longevity of the battery and maximises the range of the car. Remember that when using an AC charger (so a granny charger or a fast charger at home or any charger with a Type 2 connector), you are only powering the car's internal charger and battery management system. The internal charger does all the clever bits. Also, the internal charger charges at a maximum of 6.5 kilowatts - some type 2 connectors at public chargers advertise 22kw or above but the MG will still only charge at it's maximum of 6.5kw. Hope this helps, I know it can be confusing at first. Enjoy your new MG ZS EV. Dave

[@Telcontarnz]

@@twincarbs8637 Thanks for such good information. I have seen so many people talk about having the battery between 20-80% which is why I asked.

[@silviascarrone84]

I may not have understood correctly, but if I unplug the recharge via the Granny charger, before the charge is at 100%, can I damage the battery?

[@Telcontarnz]

@@silviascarrone84 no. In the MG you open the car and then you can pull it out with no hassle.

[@Telcontarnz]

@@twincarbs8637 we got the car and use the granny charger plus a free local 25kw charger. I do the 100% charge once a month and otherwise use a timer and use solar for 95% or more of normal charging.

[@fashionexchange708]

Good video. Got my ZS EV last week.

[@twincarbs8637]

Good choice! Drive it, Enjoy it, Charge it!

[@arturosincere483]

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[@fordblake5550]

@Arturo Sincere Instablaster :)

[@arturosincere483]

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[@arturosincere483]

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[@MrAlexander121]

A lot of charge scotland charges do not work and they fail to maintain them

[@twincarbs8637]

Correct. In my opinion, the service has got worse since Swarco took over six months ago. Maybe it's just increased demand due to the sharp rise in EV sales?

[@educationforall2012]

Can the Cita Smart 7 be used in Australia?

[@twincarbs8637]

Yes - assuming you are on 200-240 Volts AC and have a protected 32 Amp circuit available.

[@MrAlexander121]

I have a MG 5 exclusive you can only charge up to 90percent on afast charger if you want a 100 percent you do it on a 7kwt to get 250miles on a charge

[@twincarbs8637]

I think you mean that you can only charge up to 90% on a Rapid charger. A 7kw charger is effectively known as a "Fast" charger - as opposed to a 3-pin 13A plug charger (aka Granny Charger). I know - confusing isn't it. I didn't realise that MG5 stops charging at 90%, I thought it only slowed down and then stopped at 95% (as per the ZS) to protect the batteries. Always better to finish charging on a slow charge (3 or 7kw AC) anyway as this is the only way the batteries can be balanced.

[@andyatkinson9156]

Informative vid, helped me👍. Did a quick calculation and based the info it said 18.65 kWh and it took 39min 13s. That's 28.5kW if my sums are correct. Wonder if the 50kW is if you're charging from 0% so it can quote the max possible charge rate.

[@twincarbs8637]

Charging rates can be a bit "hit and miss" and will vary based on your current state of charge, battery temperature etc.. There's no guarantee either that a charger capable of delivering 50kw has actually been provided with a supply capable of supporting that charge.

[@andyatkinson9156]

@@twincarbs8637 indeed. I do fine with the 7kW chargers. Fits my usual schedule without any problems.

[@mug2y]

Nice tutorial 👌

[@twincarbs8637]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@twincarbs8637]

Excellent! Drive it, Enjoy it, Charge it!

[@fireoptions]

Great video, i am today going to go check out one of these "IRL" in Stockholm Sweden, might actually get one if it feels good.

[@twincarbs8637]

Thanks! Enjoy your test drive!

[@fireoptions]

@@twincarbs8637 Ok... i have to say that i was very impressed by the quality of MG ZS. I didn't make a deal though, i want to check out Mazda MX-30 as well tomorrow before i decide on a new car :)

[@and1111000]

That wasn't a rapid charge, the ZS can receive around 100KW rapid charge - one of the many advantages of this well-priced EV. It's the public chargers that need to catch up with the manufacturers.

[@twincarbs8637]

Agreed. I guess it depends on a number of factors, battery state of charge, temperature, charger technology etc. Thankfully, technology is moving fast and bigger, better chargers and batteries are appearing all the time. After all, it's taken 120 years for petrol stations to get where they are today.