MG MG5 Charging at Atlante

MG MG5 Charger Won't Start? Step-by-Step Help

You have plugged in your MG MG5 and the charging session refuses to start. The charger might be blinking, showing an error, or doing nothing at all. This is a common problem across all EVs, and the MG5 is no exception. Most causes are easy to diagnose and fix on the spot.

Symptoms

• Charger display shows an error or stays on the start screen
• CCS2 connector plugs in but charging does not initiate
• MG5 charge port light does not turn on or stays amber
• App shows the charger as available but the session does not begin
• AC Type 2 cable locks in but no power flows

What to Do

1. 1

   Read the charger screen

   Check for error messages, authentication prompts, or status indicators. If it says 'waiting for vehicle' the problem is on the car side. If it says 'error' or 'out of service,' the charger is the issue.

2. 2

   Unplug, wait, and replug

   Remove the connector completely, wait 15 seconds, and reinsert it firmly. Listen for the locking click on the MG5's charge port. This resets the communication handshake.

3. 3

   Complete authentication

   Tap your RFID card, open the network app and start the session, or use contactless payment. Some chargers need you to authenticate before plugging in, others after.

4. 4

   Check for scheduled charging

   Go to the MG5's charging settings on the infotainment screen. If a charging schedule is active, disable it to allow immediate charging.

5. 5

   Restart the car's systems

   Turn the MG5 off using the start button, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. This can clear temporary software glitches that prevent the charge port from communicating.

6. 6

   Move to another stall or station

   If the charger is at fault, try another stall. If no stalls work, the station may have a site-wide issue. Find an alternative station using your charging app.

MG MG5 Charging Payment Failed? How to Fix It

You are standing at a charger with your MG MG5 and the payment will not work. Card declined, app throwing errors, or no idea how to pay at all. This is one of the most frustrating parts of public charging, and it happens to everyone. Here is how to get past it.

Symptoms

• RFID card not recognized when tapped on the charger
• Charging app shows payment error or transaction declined
• Contactless card payment rejected at the terminal
• Charger starts authentication but then returns an error
• Session begins but ends immediately due to payment failure

What to Do

1. 1

   Identify accepted payment methods

   Look at the charger for payment logos and instructions. Note whether it accepts RFID cards, specific apps, contactless cards, or QR code payments. Each charger may support different methods.

2. 2

   Try the network's own app

   Download the charger network's app, create an account, and add a payment method. Then start the session through the app. This bypasses RFID and contactless issues.

3. 3

   Switch to an alternative payment method

   If your primary RFID card fails, try contactless with your bank card. If that fails, try a roaming provider like Plugsurfing, Shell Recharge, or Chargemap.

4. 4

   Check your bank for blocked transactions

   Open your banking app and look for declined or pending transactions. If the pre-authorization was blocked, call your bank or temporarily increase your card limit.

5. 5

   Try a different stall

   If the card reader on one stall is broken, another stall at the same station may have a working reader. Try the next one before giving up on the location.

6. 6

   Find an alternative station

   Use your charging app to find a nearby station from a network where your payment methods are confirmed to work. Filter by your preferred payment method if the app supports it.

MG MG5 Charging Slowly? Why and How to Fix It

Your MG MG5 is charging slower than you expected. With a maximum DC speed of 87kW, the MG5 is not the fastest charger in its class, but it should still deliver reasonable speeds. If you are seeing numbers well below that, something else is going on. Here is what to check.

Symptoms

• DC charging power showing well below 87kW on the charger display
• AC charging stuck below 11kW on a capable wallbox
• Estimated charging time significantly longer than expected
• Charging speed drops sharply above 50-60% SOC
• Very slow charging in cold weather conditions

What to Do

1. 1

   Check the charger's maximum power output

   Verify the charger is rated above 87kW. If it is a 50kW charger, the MG5 is getting the maximum available. Look at the charger label or check in the network app.

2. 2

   Use preconditioning in cold weather

   Set the fast charger as your destination in the MG5's navigation system. This activates battery preconditioning, which warms the battery before you arrive and improves initial charging speed.

3. 3

   Check your state of charge

   If you are above 60% SOC, the MG5's charging taper is expected. For the fastest session, arrive at the charger between 10-20% SOC and charge to 70-80%.

4. 4

   Try a different stall to avoid power sharing

   If the station shares power between stalls, wait for other cars to finish or move to a stall that is not paired with another active charger. Some stations label which stalls share power.

5. 5

   For AC, verify your cable and charger

   Make sure you are using a 3-phase Type 2 cable on an 11kW or higher AC charger. A single-phase connection limits you to about 3.6kW, which adds many hours to a full charge.

6. 6

   Check car settings for charging limits

   In the MG5's settings, look for any AC current limit or maximum charge level that might be capping your speed.

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.