Honda e:Ny1 Charging at Le Plein

Honda e Ny1 Charger Will Not Start a Charging Session

You have connected the charger to your Honda e:Ny1, but the session is not starting. The screen is blank, there is an error, or the car just does not respond. As Honda's first mass-market European EV, the e:Ny1 uses standard connectors but has a few quirks worth knowing.

Symptoms

• The CCS2 or Type 2 connector is plugged in but no charging begins
• The Honda e:Ny1's instrument cluster does not show a charging indicator
• The charger screen shows an error code after plug-in
• You hear the connector lock engage but power does not flow
• The charging app shows the session failed to start

What to Do

1. 1

   Authenticate before plugging in

   Tap your RFID card or start the session in the charging app before inserting the connector. Wait for the charger screen to show 'ready' or 'plug in now.'

2. 2

   Unplug and firmly reinsert

   Remove the connector completely from the e:Ny1's charge port on the front right. Wait 10 seconds, then reinsert it firmly until you hear the locking click.

3. 3

   Check for a charging timer

   On the Honda e:Ny1's dashboard, navigate to the charging settings and check if a timer is active. Disable it if you need to charge immediately.

4. 4

   Reset the car's charging system

   Turn the car off, lock it with the key fob, wait 30 seconds, then unlock and try again. This can clear any error state from a previously interrupted session.

5. 5

   Inspect the charge port

   Check the charge port for moisture, dirt, or debris. Clean it gently with a dry cloth if needed. Make sure the port flap opens fully.

6. 6

   Try a different charger

   If the charger still will not start after trying all steps, move to a different unit. The charger is more likely to be the problem than the car.

Honda e Ny1 Payment Not Working at Charging Station

You are at a charger with your Honda e:Ny1 and the payment is not going through. Card declined, app not working, RFID not recognized. This has nothing to do with your car. It is a charger and payment network problem. Here is how to get past it.

Symptoms

• RFID card tap produces no response from the charger
• Charging app shows a payment authorization error
• Bank card is declined at the charger terminal
• Charger screen shows 'payment failed' or a generic error
• You cannot find any accepted payment method on the charger

What to Do

1. 1

   Check which payments the charger accepts

   Look at the charger screen and stickers for accepted payment methods. If none of your options are listed, you need to move to a different charger or sign up for that network.

2. 2

   Try a different payment method

   Switch between RFID card, charging app, and contactless bank card. If one method fails, another may work on the same charger.

3. 3

   Verify your card balance

   Open your banking app and check that you have at least 80 EUR available. Top up or switch to a card with more available balance if needed.

4. 4

   Hold the RFID card steadily for 3 seconds

   Place the card flat on the reader and hold it without moving. Some readers are slow and need a longer contact time to register.

5. 5

   Update your charging app payment details

   Open each charging app you use and check that the stored payment method is current. Update any expired cards.

6. 6

   Move to another charger unit

   If nothing works on this charger, try the next unit at the same station. Individual card readers fail while other units work fine.

Honda e Ny1 Charging Slower Than Expected DC and AC

You plugged in your Honda e:Ny1 expecting fast charging, but the speed is disappointing. The e:Ny1 tops out at 78 kW DC, which is slower than many competitors. Without preconditioning or a heat pump, cold weather makes it worse. Here is what is happening and what you can do.

Symptoms

• DC fast charging well below the 78 kW maximum
• AC home charging stuck at 3-4 kW instead of 11 kW
• Charging speed drops significantly after 50% state of charge
• Cold weather charging is extremely slow
• Charging from 10% to 80% takes much longer than expected

What to Do

1. 1

   Drive before charging in cold weather

   Since the e:Ny1 has no preconditioning, drive for 20-30 minutes before stopping at a DC charger in winter. The driving warms the battery through use, which improves charging acceptance.

2. 2

   Check your state of charge

   For the best speeds, arrive at the charger between 10-20% and charge to 80%. The e:Ny1's peak power is available mainly below 50%.

3. 3

   Choose a charger rated above 100 kW

   Even though the e:Ny1 maxes out at 78 kW, using a higher-rated charger ensures you are not bottlenecked by the charger. Avoid 50 kW units when faster options are available.

4. 4

   Verify your AC installation

   For home charging, confirm with your electrician that your wallbox is wired for three-phase at 16A to deliver the full 11 kW. Single-phase installations will be about a third of that speed.

5. 5

   Check if the charger is sharing power

   Look at the charger. If two cables come from the same unit and someone is using the other one, you may be sharing power. Move to a solo charger if possible.

6. 6

   Try a different charger

   If your speed is still well below 60-70 kW at a low state of charge and warm battery, the charger may be degraded. Test a different unit.

App and charger interface only in French

The Le Plein app and the charger screen interface are primarily in French. If you do not read French, navigating menus and understanding error messages takes extra effort.

Symptoms

• The app menus, buttons, and instructions are entirely in French
• The charger screen shows an error message you cannot read
• You cannot find the 'start session' button because the labels are in French
• Support articles and FAQ in the app are in French only

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Learn the key French charging terms

   A few words go a long way. 'Démarrer' means start, 'Arrêter' means stop, 'Brancher' means plug in, 'En charge' means charging, 'Disponible' means available, 'Hors service' means out of order. With these, you can navigate most screens.

2. 2

   Use your phone's translation feature on the charger screen

   Most smartphones can translate text from a photo. Point your camera at the charger screen and use Google Translate, Apple Translate, or a similar app to read the message. This works well for error messages you do not recognize.

3. 3

   Set up the session flow before you arrive

   Open the Le Plein app at home and familiarize yourself with the session flow: find station, select charger, start session. Once you know where the buttons are, the French labels matter less.

4. 4

   Use your phone's built-in app translation if available

   On Android, you can translate app interfaces using the system translation feature. On iOS, you can take a screenshot and translate it. This helps with menus and settings you need to navigate once.

RFID card ordering process through the app

Le Plein RFID cards can only be ordered through the app. There is no option to buy one at a station or from a retail location. The ordering and activation process has a few steps that can trip people up.

Symptoms

• You want an RFID card but cannot find where to order it
• You ordered a card but it has not arrived after the expected delivery time
• Your RFID card arrived but does not work at the charger
• The app says your card is active but the charger does not recognize it

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Order the card through the Le Plein app account section

   Open the Le Plein app, go to your account or profile settings, and look for an RFID card or badge option. Follow the ordering flow, which will ask for your delivery address. Delivery takes several business days within France.

2. 2

   Activate the card in the app after it arrives

   When the card arrives, you may need to activate it in the Le Plein app by entering the card number or scanning it. Check the instructions that came with the card. An unactivated card will not start a session.

3. 3

   Make sure your payment method is valid

   The RFID card charges sessions to the payment method saved in your Le Plein account. If your saved card has expired or been declined, the RFID card will not work even though it is activated. Update your payment details in the app.

4. 4

   Use the app to start sessions while waiting for the RFID card

   You do not need the physical RFID card to charge. The Le Plein app can start sessions directly. Use the app until your card arrives and is activated.

Station coverage concentrated in certain French regions

Le Plein's network does not cover all of France equally. Some regions have good coverage while others have very few or no stations. This can be a problem on longer trips.

Symptoms

• The app shows no Le Plein stations along a section of your route
• Stations are clustered around certain cities but absent in rural areas between them
• You planned a trip assuming Le Plein coverage and found a gap
• The nearest Le Plein station is far from your destination

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check Le Plein coverage along your entire route before departing

   Open the Le Plein app and trace your route on the map. Look for gaps where there are no stations for long stretches. Identify these gaps before you leave, not when your battery is low.

2. 2

   Install backup charging apps for other French networks

   France has several other charging networks, including Ionity, TotalEnergies, Fastned, and local operators. Having apps for two or three networks ensures you always have a fallback when Le Plein coverage runs out.

3. 3

   Use a roaming RFID card for multi-network access

   A roaming card from Chargemap or another aggregator can access chargers from multiple French networks. This is especially useful in areas where Le Plein has no presence.

4. 4

   Plan with a multi-network route planner

   A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) or Chargemap show stations from all networks. Enter your vehicle and destination to get charging stops that work regardless of the operator.

Charger screen errors you cannot decipher

When something goes wrong at a Le Plein charger, the error message on the screen is in French. If you do not understand the message, you cannot tell whether to retry or move on.

Symptoms

• The screen shows an error code or message in French after you plug in
• The charger stopped mid-session and the screen displays a French message
• You see 'Hors service' or 'Erreur' but do not know the specific problem
• The screen shows instructions you cannot follow

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Photo-translate the error message

   Take a photo of the screen and use Google Translate's camera feature or Apple Translate to read it. This gives you the specific error, not just a guess.

2. 2

   Know the most common French charger errors

   'Hors service' means out of order, do not wait. 'Erreur de communication' means a communication error between charger and vehicle, try replugging. 'Session en cours' means a session is already active, possibly from a previous user who did not end it. 'Veuillez patienter' means please wait.

3. 3

   Try unplugging and reconnecting

   Many charger errors clear themselves when you unplug, wait 30 seconds, and plug in again. This resets the communication between your vehicle and the charger.

4. 4

   End any stuck session in the Le Plein app

   If the charger thinks a session is still active from a previous user, you may not be able to start a new one. Check the app to see if there is an active session on that charger. Sometimes you need to wait for it to time out.

5. 5

   Move to another charger if the error persists

   If the same error appears after two or three attempts, the charger likely has a hardware or software issue. Try another charger at the same station, or drive to the next Le Plein or alternative station.

Support phone line in French only

Le Plein's support phone line is staffed by French-speaking agents. If you need help at a station and do not speak French, communication can be difficult.

Symptoms

• You called support and the agent speaks only French
• The automated phone menu is in French with no language option
• You cannot explain your problem over the phone
• You need urgent help at a station but cannot communicate effectively

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Try the app's support or help section first

   Written support through the app (email, contact form, or chat) gives you time to use a translation tool. Type your question in English, translate it to French, and paste it. This is often more effective than a phone call.

2. 2

   Prepare a few key phrases in advance

   If you may need to call, have these ready: 'La borne ne fonctionne pas' (the charger is not working), 'Le câble est bloqué' (the cable is stuck), 'J'ai besoin d'aide' (I need help), and the station number or location name.

3. 3

   Use a real-time translation app during the call

   Google Translate's conversation mode can translate speech in both directions. It is not perfect, but it helps bridge the gap. Open it before you call.

4. 4

   Ask a nearby person for help if available

   If you are at a station and someone nearby speaks both French and your language, asking for a quick translation assist is perfectly reasonable. Most people are happy to help.