MG MG5 Charging at Ionity

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.

Session won't start after contactless payment

You tap your card, the reader beeps, but the charger never begins delivering power. This is one of the most reported issues at Ionity stations.

Symptoms

• Contactless reader shows a green light but nothing happens
• Screen says 'Initializing' for more than 60 seconds
• Card is charged a pre-authorization hold but no energy is delivered
• Error message appears after the tap but disappears too quickly to read

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Unplug the cable and wait 10 seconds

   This resets the charger's session state. Plug the cable back in firmly until you hear the locking click.

2. 2

   Try a different payment method

   Open the Ionity app and start the session from there instead. If you have an Ionity subscription, use the app. App-initiated sessions bypass the contactless reader entirely.

3. 3

   Check your card's contactless limit

   Some banks block contactless transactions above a certain amount. Ionity may pre-authorize up to 100 EUR. If your bank flags this, the session fails silently.

4. 4

   Move to another stall at the same station

   Individual charger units can have faulty card readers while the rest of the station works fine. Try the next available stall.

5. 5

   Check for a pending hold on your bank statement

   If a hold was placed but no session started, it typically releases within 3 to 7 business days. You will not be charged for energy you did not receive.

Plug & Charge pairing fails

Your vehicle supports Plug & Charge (ISO 15118) but the Ionity station does not recognize it. The charger asks for payment instead of starting automatically.

Symptoms

• Charger prompts for app or card payment instead of starting automatically
• Screen shows 'Vehicle not recognized'
• Plug & Charge worked at this station before but stopped working
• Pairing completed in the Ionity app but the station still asks for payment

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Verify Plug & Charge is enabled in your vehicle settings

   Some vehicles (like Porsche Taycan, BMW iX, Mercedes EQS) have a toggle in the infotainment system. If it was turned off during a software update, the charger cannot identify your car.

2. 2

   Re-pair your vehicle in the Ionity app

   Go to the Ionity app, navigate to Plug & Charge settings, remove the existing pairing, and set it up again. This refreshes the digital certificate.

3. 3

   Check that your Ionity subscription is active

   Plug & Charge on Ionity requires an active subscription. If your subscription lapsed, the auto-start will fail even if the pairing is intact.

4. 4

   Try unplugging and re-plugging slowly

   The ISO 15118 handshake happens in the first few seconds. If you plug in too quickly or the connector is not fully seated, the handshake times out and the charger falls back to manual payment.

5. 5

   Start the session via the app as a fallback

   Plug & Charge issues are often caused by backend certificate mismatches. You can still charge at Ionity subscription rates by starting the session through the app while the issue is resolved.

Charger screen frozen or unresponsive

The charger display is stuck on a loading screen, shows garbled text, or does not respond to touch. The hardware may still work even if the screen does not.

Symptoms

• Screen shows a logo or loading animation that never progresses
• Touch inputs on the screen do nothing
• Screen is completely black but the charger lights are on
• Screen shows an error code that does not clear

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Try plugging in and starting via the app

   The screen and the charging hardware are separate systems. Many Ionity chargers will still deliver power even with a frozen display if you initiate the session through the Ionity app.

2. 2

   Unplug completely and wait 30 seconds

   Sometimes unplugging triggers a soft reset of the charger unit. Wait, then try again.

3. 3

   Try a different stall

   Ionity stations typically have multiple charger units. A frozen screen on one unit does not affect the others.

4. 4

   Report the charger in the Ionity app

   Open the Ionity app, find the station, and report the specific charger as out of order. This helps Ionity dispatch maintenance faster.

App shows station available but charger is faulted

The Ionity app shows green (available) status for a station, but when you arrive, the chargers display errors or are physically out of service.

Symptoms

• App shows 'Available' but charger displays 'Out of Order'
• All stalls at the station are faulted despite the app showing availability
• Charger has a maintenance sticker or barrier but the app has not been updated
• You drove to a station specifically because the app said it was free

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Refresh the station status in the app

   Pull down to refresh the station view. Status updates can lag by several minutes, especially after a charger was recently reported or rebooted.

2. 2

   Check individual charger status, not just the station

   Tap into the station details in the Ionity app. Even if some stalls show faulted, others at the same station may still work.

3. 3

   Try plugging in anyway

   Occasionally a charger shows a stale error on its screen from a previous session but works fine for the next user. Plug in and attempt to start via the app.

4. 4

   Plan a backup station

   Before driving to an Ionity station, check if there is an alternative station within 10 to 15 minutes. Ionity stations along highways sometimes have another Ionity or competitor station at the next exit.

5. 5

   Report the discrepancy

   Use the 'Report a problem' option in the Ionity app. Accurate reports help Ionity fix status sync issues and prioritize maintenance.

Unexpectedly high ad-hoc price

You charged without an Ionity subscription subscription and the per-kWh price is significantly higher than you expected. Ionity's ad-hoc rate is one of the most expensive in Europe.

Symptoms

• Invoice shows 0.75 EUR/kWh or higher
• Total cost for a short session is much higher than expected
• Price displayed on the charger screen was not noticed before starting
• You assumed the price would be similar to home charging or other networks

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check if Ionity subscription would save you money

   Ionity offers subscription plans that reduce the per-kWh price significantly. Check the Ionity app for current plans and rates. If you charge at Ionity more than once or twice a month, a subscription usually pays for itself.

2. 2

   Check your vehicle manufacturer's charging plan

   Many EV manufacturers (Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen Group, Ford) offer bundled Ionity pricing through their own apps. You may already have access to a discounted rate through your car brand.

3. 3

   Look at the charger screen before starting next time

   Ionity displays the per-kWh price on the charger screen before the session starts. The ad-hoc price is always shown.

4. 4

   Consider roaming providers for occasional use

   If you do not want a subscription, some roaming apps (like Shell Recharge, Chargemap, or Maingau) offer lower Ionity rates than the ad-hoc price.

Charging speed much lower than 350 kW

The station advertises 350 kW but your vehicle is charging at a fraction of that speed. This can be normal or it can indicate a problem.

Symptoms

• Dashboard shows 50 to 100 kW at a 350 kW charger
• Charging started fast but dropped sharply after a few minutes
• Other vehicles at the same station seem to charge faster
• Speed is lower than what you normally get at Ionity

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check your battery level

   Charging speed drops significantly above 60 to 80% state of charge on most vehicles. This is normal battery behavior, not an Ionity issue. For the fastest stop, charge from 10 to 80% and move on.

2. 2

   Check the battery temperature

   Cold batteries charge slowly. If your vehicle supports battery preconditioning, set the Ionity station as your navigation destination. The car will warm the battery on the way there.

3. 3

   Verify your vehicle's max DC charging speed

   Not all EVs can accept 350 kW. Many popular models top out at 100 to 150 kW. The charger delivers only what the vehicle requests.

4. 4

   Try a different stall

   Individual charger units can occasionally have hardware limitations or faults that reduce output. Moving to another stall at the same station can sometimes restore full speed.

5. 5

   Check for power sharing

   Some Ionity stations share power between adjacent stalls. If the neighboring stall is also in use, both vehicles may receive reduced power. Try a stall that is not next to another active session.