Mercedes eVito Van Charger Will Not Start a Session
You have connected the charger to your Mercedes eVito and nothing is happening. No session, no power, no charging light. When you are between jobs or trying to charge at the depot, you need this resolved quickly. Here is how.
Quick Diagnosis
Is the charger screen on and showing a ready state?
Check if the charger display is lit and showing "Available" or a similar ready message.
Symptoms
- CCS2 or Type 2 connector is plugged in but no session starts
- The MBUX display does not show charging activity
- The charger screen shows an error after plug-in
- The charge port indicator stays off or flashes amber
- The depot wallbox status light does not change when plugged in
Why This Happens
Authentication not completed
Public chargers need RFID, app, or contactless payment before they deliver power. Fleet drivers sometimes forget this step when switching from depot charging (which is automatic) to public chargers.
Connector not fully seated
The eVito's charge port can collect road dust and dirt more than a passenger car. If the CCS2 connector is not pushed in fully, the communication handshake will not complete.
Charging mode set incorrectly in MBUX
The MBUX system allows you to set charging preferences including departure time charging. If this is active, the van may delay charging until a scheduled time.
Depot charger tripped or load managed
At the depot, the charger may have tripped a breaker or be limited by a load management system that is giving priority to other vehicles.
Charger out of service
The charger may look operational but have a fault that prevents it from establishing a session. This is common with older public chargers.
What to Do
- 1
Authenticate before plugging in
At public chargers, tap your RFID card or start the session in the app before inserting the connector. Wait for the charger to confirm it is ready.
- 2
Clean and reinsert the connector
Remove the connector, wipe the charge port on the eVito with a dry cloth to remove any dirt, then reinsert the connector firmly until it clicks.
- 3
Check MBUX charging settings
On the MBUX display, navigate to the charging menu. Check if departure time charging is active. Disable it for immediate charging.
- 4
Check the depot electrical panel
If at the depot, check the circuit breaker for the charging circuit. Also check the wallbox status indicator. Report issues to your fleet manager.
- 5
Lock and unlock the van
Use the key to lock the eVito, wait 20 seconds, then unlock. This can reset the charging electronics after a fault state.
- 6
Move to a different charger
If the charger is faulty, do not waste time. Move to another unit or station, especially if you are mid-route.
Prevention Tips
- Always authenticate at public chargers before plugging in
- Keep the eVito's charge port clean with regular checks
- Disable departure time charging in MBUX when you need immediate charging
- Have your depot charger circuit tested regularly
- Carry at least two payment options for public charging reliability