BMW i5 Charging at Atlante

BMW i5 eDrive40 Charger Won't Start: Fix Guide Now

You have connected your BMW i5 to a charger, but the session will not start. The charger sits idle, iDrive shows nothing, or you get an error message. This is one of the most reported problems at public chargers, and the fix is usually simple.

Symptoms

• The charger screen stays on 'connect vehicle' after plugging in the CCS2 cable
• iDrive does not show any charging activity
• The charge port LED on the i5 does not illuminate
• An error code appears on the charger display
• The connector does not lock into the charge port

What to Do

1. 1

   Make sure the i5 is unlocked

   The charge port only opens and accepts a connector when the car is unlocked. Use the key fob or My BMW app to unlock if needed.

2. 2

   Seat the connector firmly

   Push the CCS2 or Type 2 plug straight into the port until it clicks and locks. The charging port is on the rear right of the i5. Do not twist or angle the connector.

3. 3

   Complete authentication at the charger

   Tap your RFID card, start the session in the charging app, or pay via contactless. The charger needs authorization before it sends power to your i5.

4. 4

   Check iDrive for scheduling conflicts

   Open iDrive and navigate to Charging, then Charging Settings. If a departure time or scheduled window is active, switch to 'Charge Immediately' to override it.

5. 5

   Unplug and reconnect

   Remove the connector, wait 15 seconds, then plug in again. This forces a new handshake between the i5 and the charger, which resolves many communication issues.

6. 6

   Move to another charger

   If nothing works, the charger is likely faulty. Try another stall or station. Report the broken charger through the network app so others are warned.

BMW i5 Charging Payment Failed: Solutions That Work

Your BMW i5 is plugged in and ready, but the charger will not accept your payment. Whether it is an RFID card that gets no response, an app that throws an error, or a declined bank card, this stops you from charging. Here is how to get past it quickly.

Symptoms

• Charger shows 'authentication failed' or 'payment error'
• RFID card tap produces no response on the charger
• Charging app fails to start the session with a payment error
• Contactless bank card is declined at the charger terminal
• Session starts but immediately cancels with a billing error

What to Do

1. 1

   Switch to a different payment method

   Try another RFID card, a different charging app, or contactless bank card. Having at least two options means one failure does not strand you.

2. 2

   Verify your account status

   Open the charging app and check your payment method, balance, and subscription status. Fix any issues before retrying.

3. 3

   Check which networks this charger accepts

   Look for network logos on the charger unit. If your provider is not listed, you need ad-hoc payment or a different provider.

4. 4

   Scan the QR code for ad-hoc payment

   Most modern European chargers have a QR code. Scan it with your phone to open a web-based payment page. You can pay with any credit or debit card, no app needed.

5. 5

   Cancel and restart the session

   If the payment seemed to process but charging did not start, cancel the session in the app and try again. A fresh authorization attempt often works.

6. 6

   Call the network's support number

   The charger should display a support phone number. The operator can sometimes authorize sessions remotely or troubleshoot billing issues in real time.

BMW i5 eDrive40 Charging Too Slow: Causes and Fixes

Your BMW i5 eDrive40 can charge at up to 205kW on a DC fast charger, which is impressive for a 400V car. But if you are seeing far lower numbers on the iDrive display, something is limiting the power. Most causes are easy to identify and fix.

Symptoms

• DC charging power shown in iDrive is well below 205kW
• Charging takes much longer than expected for the 81.2kWh battery
• Speed drops drastically above 50% state of charge
• AC charging is stuck at 11kW even at a 22kW station
• iDrive displays a battery temperature warning or conditioning message

What to Do

1. 1

   Check current power in iDrive

   Open the charging screen on iDrive to see the live kW figure, battery temperature, and estimated completion time. This tells you immediately whether the car or the charger is the limiting factor.

2. 2

   Precondition the battery before arriving

   Enter the charging station as a destination in iDrive navigation. The i5 will automatically warm (or cool) the battery to optimal charging temperature while you drive. This can double your initial charging speed in winter.

3. 3

   Choose a high-power charger

   Use the BMW app or a charger map to find stations rated at 200kW or above. Ionity, Fastned, and some Shell Recharge stations offer 300kW+ chargers that let the i5 reach its peak.

4. 4

   Avoid power-sharing stalls

   At charger parks with paired stalls (A1/A2, B1/B2), choose a pair where the other stall is empty. This gives your i5 the full charger output.

5. 5

   Charge in the optimal range

   Plan your stops to arrive between 5% and 15% and leave at 80%. This keeps you in the fastest part of the i5's charging curve and minimizes time per kWh added.

6. 6

   Install software updates

   BMW pushes OTA updates that can improve charging performance. Check iDrive under Settings, then Software Update, and install any pending updates.

New station with teething problems

Atlante is expanding rapidly, and many stations are brand new. Newly installed chargers sometimes have firmware bugs, incomplete network configuration, or hardware that has not been fully tested under real-world conditions.

Symptoms

• Charger turns on but fails to communicate with your vehicle
• Session starts but drops after a few seconds
• Charger screen shows an error code you have never seen before
• Station appears on the map but the chargers are not yet operational

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Try a different charger at the same station

   New stations often have multiple units and the issue may be limited to one charger. Try another unit before giving up on the location.

2. 2

   Unplug, wait 30 seconds, and retry

   New charger firmware sometimes fails on the first handshake but succeeds on the second attempt. A short wait lets the charger reset its session state.

3. 3

   Start the session through the Atlante app

   If the charger's screen or contactless reader is not working properly, the app provides a separate communication path to the charger's backend. This can bypass local hardware issues.

4. 4

   Check the Atlante app for station status notes

   Atlante sometimes posts notices about newly activated stations that are still in testing. The station detail page in the app may show a note about limited functionality.

5. 5

   Report the issue and move to the next station

   Use the Atlante app to report the problem. New station issues are usually fixed quickly once reported. Check the app for the nearest alternative Atlante or competitor station.

App crashes on older phones

The Atlante app can be unstable on older phones or phones running outdated operating systems. The app may crash during login, while loading the map, or in the middle of starting a session.

Symptoms

• App closes unexpectedly when you open the station map
• App freezes during the payment screen
• Login screen loads but the app crashes after entering credentials
• App works briefly but crashes when you try to start a session

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Update the Atlante app to the latest version

   Atlante pushes frequent updates that fix stability issues. Open the App Store or Google Play and check for updates before your trip.

2. 2

   Clear the app cache

   On Android, go to Settings, Apps, Atlante, and clear the cache. On iPhone, delete and reinstall the app. Corrupted cache data is a common cause of crashes.

3. 3

   Check your phone's operating system version

   The Atlante app may require iOS 15+ or Android 10+. If your phone is on an older version, update if possible. If your phone cannot update, you may need a roaming app as a backup.

4. 4

   Use contactless payment as a fallback

   If the app keeps crashing and the station supports contactless, tap your credit or debit card on the charger's payment terminal. Not all Atlante stations have this yet, but it completely bypasses the app.

5. 5

   Try a roaming app

   Apps like Chargemap, Shell Recharge, or Electropass can start sessions at Atlante stations without using the Atlante app. Check roaming coverage before relying on this.

Contactless payment terminal not activated

Atlante is rolling out contactless card payment across its network, but not every charger has an active terminal yet. Some units have the hardware installed but the payment function is not turned on.

Symptoms

• Card reader is visible on the charger but does not respond to a tap
• Screen says 'Use app to start' with no contactless option shown
• Contactless symbol is printed on the charger but the reader light is off
• You see a payment terminal but tapping produces no response

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Download and use the Atlante app

   At stations where contactless is not yet active, the Atlante app is the primary payment method. Download it before your trip and add a payment card in advance.

2. 2

   Check the charger screen for payment instructions

   Some Atlante chargers display which payment methods are currently available. If contactless is not listed, the terminal is not active at that unit.

3. 3

   Try a different charger at the same station

   Contactless activation sometimes rolls out unit by unit. Another charger at the same station may have an active terminal.

4. 4

   Use a roaming RFID card or app

   If you have an RFID card from a roaming provider, try tapping it. Some Atlante stations accept roaming RFID even when the contactless card terminal is not active.

Charger screen hard to read in direct sunlight

Some Atlante charger screens have low brightness levels that make them nearly impossible to read in bright sunlight. This is especially common at stations in Southern Europe during summer.

Symptoms

• Screen content is barely visible outdoors during the day
• You cannot read the price, status, or error messages on the screen
• Screen appears to be off but the charger is actually on
• You have to cup your hands around the screen to read it

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Use your body or hand to shade the screen

   Stand to block direct sunlight from hitting the screen. Even partial shade can make the display readable.

2. 2

   Take a photo of the screen with your phone

   Your phone camera can sometimes capture what your eyes cannot. Take a photo and zoom in to read the text.

3. 3

   Use the Atlante app to monitor your session

   All session information (charging speed, energy delivered, cost, estimated time) is available in the app. You do not need the charger screen to track your session.

4. 4

   Start the session entirely through the app

   If you cannot read the screen at all, use the Atlante app to select the charger, start the session, and stop it when done. This avoids needing to interact with the screen.

Cable connector requires specific angle to lock

Some Atlante charger cables need to be inserted at a particular angle or with extra force for the CCS2 connector to seat properly. If it is not fully locked, the session will not start.

Symptoms

• Connector feels like it is in but the charger does not recognize it
• Charger screen says 'Connect cable' even though the cable is plugged in
• You hear a partial click but the connector is not locked
• Connector slides back out after you let go

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Push the connector straight in, then slightly upward

   Some Atlante CCS2 connectors need a slight upward tilt after the initial push to engage the locking mechanism. You should feel and hear a solid click.

2. 2

   Check for debris in the vehicle's charging port

   Dust, ice, or a small pebble in the port can prevent the connector from seating fully. Inspect the port and brush out anything you find.

3. 3

   Make sure the vehicle is unlocked and ready to charge

   Some vehicles lock the charging port flap or disable the inlet when the car is locked or in drive mode. Ensure the car is in park and unlocked.

4. 4

   Try a different cable if the charger has two

   If the charger has two CCS2 cables, try the other one. One cable may have a slightly worn connector that does not seat as easily.