What does 'Charge Delayed' mean?
When your zappi displays ‘Charge Delayed’, it means the charger is ready to begin supplying power, but the electric vehicle (EV) has not accepted the charge request. In most cases, this is not due to a fault with the zappi, but rather the behaviour or internal logic of the EV.
Although zappi initiates the charge request by setting the correct Control Pilot signal, the decision to accept or reject the charge lies entirely with the EV. Manufacturers implement different behaviours regarding lock status, timers, software bugs, or limitations in handling fluctuating power availability.
These manufacturer-specific conditions can result in the vehicle ignoring or rejecting a legitimate charge request, leading to the display of 'Charge Delayed' on the zappi.
Renault Megane E-Tech
Owners of the Renault Megane E-Tech have reported that their vehicle occasionally fails to begin charging. The zappi correctly enters state B2 to signal that it is ready, but the Megane fails to respond, resulting in a 'Charge Delayed' message.
Solution:
This issue is confirmed as a vehicle-side software fault. Renault has documented the fault under ACTIS-82668. Please contact your local Renault dealer and request the relevant software update. This issue does not affect other Renault models such as the Zoe.
Porsche Taycan
A Taycan owner reported that the vehicle stopped charging at 41% battery, even though zappi was actively sending the correct signal to continue. The Taycan incorrectly treated the session as complete, despite charge demand being present.
Solution:
Perform a soft reset of the PCM (Porsche Communication Management) system. This often restores proper operation and indicates a temporary software or communications issue within the vehicle. For persistent cases, consult your Porsche dealer for a firmware update.
Peugeot e208 (early models)
Early firmware versions of the Peugeot e208 limited the vehicle to just 10 charge interruptions. If this limit was reached particularly in ECO+ mode where surplus energy may fluctuate the car refused to restart charging until manually reset.
Solution:
Peugeot has released updated firmware to allow up to 30 interruptions before a lockout occurs. Contact your Peugeot dealer to confirm your car is running the latest software.
Volkswagen e-Golf
The e-Golf is known to stop responding to frequent interruptions in charge delivery. If the charger cycles off and on several times due to unstable surplus generation, the car may refuse further charge requests without warning.
Solution:
Adjust the ECO+ start delay to 30 seconds and the stop delay to 240 seconds. This avoids unnecessary stop-start events. If issues persist, contact your Volkswagen dealership to check for software updates.
MG and BYD
Several MG and BYD models require the vehicle to be locked before they will begin charging. If the vehicle remains unlocked or is unlocked shortly after plugging in, it may prevent or interrupt charging. This often causes a 'Charge Delayed' message, even though zappi is functioning as expected.
Solution:
After plugging in the charging cable, immediately lock the vehicle. Do not unlock it again until the charging session has visibly begun. Consult your vehicle's handbook or contact your dealer if this locking requirement is not clearly documented in your EV's user guide.
zappi communicates with EVs using a signal called the Control Pilot. This signal indicates readiness and expects a corresponding response from the vehicle.
- A – EV unplugged
- B1 – EV plugged in, charger not ready
- B2 – EV plugged in, charger ready to supply power
- C2 – EV plugged in and charging
When zappi moves from B1 to B2, it signals that it is ready to charge. The EV must then transition to C2 to begin charging. If this does not occur, zappi remains at B2 and displays 'Charge Delayed'.
If your EV is sensitive to frequent interruptions—common in solar-only or fluctuating generation environments—consider the following settings:
- Start Delay: 30 seconds
- Stop Delay: 240 seconds
- Minimum Green Level (MGL): 1%
These values help stabilise the session by avoiding unnecessary starts and stops, which can be misinterpreted by certain vehicles as faults or failed sessions.
Important:
Always ensure your zappi is running the latest firmware. You can update it via the myenergi app or device menu. For further compatibility, confirm with your vehicle manufacturer whether your EV has the latest software release installed.