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This guide is for general troubleshooting only. EVcourse is not affiliated with K-Lataus. For account issues or charger-specific faults, contact K-Lataus support directly.

Troubleshooting

K-Lataus Charger Not Working?

Updated March 2026

K-Lataus stations deliver up to 200 kW through CCS2 connectors at K-Group retail locations, including K-Citymarket and K-Market stores across Finland. You can pay through the K-Lataus app or with a K-Group RFID card. Stations are typically in grocery store parking lots, which means convenient charging while you shop, but also parking rules to be aware of. Here is how to fix common problems.

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K-Lataus Quick Reference

Max power
200 kW
Connectors
CCS2
Payment
app, RFID
Type
Charge Point Operator

Showing 5 of 5 issues

Plussa card not accepted at the charger

K-Group's Plussa loyalty card is not always the same as the RFID card used for K-Lataus charging. Tapping your regular Plussa card may not start a session.

Symptoms

  • You tap your Plussa card and the charger shows 'Card not recognized'
  • The charger beeps but does not start a session after tapping Plussa card
  • Your physical Plussa card works at K-Market checkout but not at the charger
  • You have a Plussa card in the K-Ruoka app but no option to start charging

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Check if your Plussa card is RFID-enabled for charging

    Not all Plussa cards have RFID functionality for EV charging. The basic loyalty card used at the grocery checkout may not work at the charger. Log in to the K-Lataus app or K-Group account to check if your card is linked to the charging service.

  2. 2

    Activate charging on your K-Group account

    Visit the K-Lataus section of your K-Group account (online or in the K-Lataus app). You may need to accept separate terms and link a payment method specifically for EV charging. Your Plussa card number is used to identify you, but the charging service needs its own activation.

  3. 3

    Order a dedicated K-Lataus RFID card if needed

    Some K-Lataus stations require a dedicated charging RFID card, which is different from the standard Plussa card. Check the K-Lataus app or website for how to order one. It is usually linked to your existing K-Group account.

  4. 4

    Use the K-Lataus app to start the session

    While you sort out the card situation, the K-Lataus app can start sessions directly. Select the station and charger in the app, and tap start. No physical card needed.

Parking time limits at grocery store locations

K-Lataus chargers sit in K-Citymarket and K-Market parking lots, which often have monitored parking with time limits. You may get a parking notice if you stay too long.

Symptoms

  • You see parking time limit signs (e.g. 2 or 3 hours) in the parking lot
  • You received a parking notice even though you were charging
  • Your charging session takes longer than the allowed parking time
  • Camera-monitored parking is active in the lot

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Check the parking rules when you arrive

    Most K-Citymarket and K-Market parking lots have posted time limits, often 2 to 4 hours, enforced by camera monitoring or a parking operator. These rules apply to EV charging spots too.

  2. 2

    Use a parking disc if required

    Many Finnish parking lots still require a parking disc (pysäköintikiekko). Set the arrival time and display it on your dashboard, even if the lot also has camera monitoring.

  3. 3

    Set a phone timer to move your car

    If you are shopping while charging, set an alarm so you can return before the parking limit expires. A DC fast charger at 200 kW should get you a substantial charge well within a 2-hour window.

  4. 4

    Unplug when charging is complete

    Do not leave your vehicle occupying the charging spot after it finishes. Other EV drivers need the spot, and some parking operators treat finished-but-still-connected vehicles as overstaying.

New stations not appearing in third-party apps

K-Lataus is expanding its network, but newer stations sometimes take weeks to appear in third-party apps and aggregators like PlugShare or Google Maps.

Symptoms

  • The K-Lataus app shows a station that does not appear in PlugShare or ABRP
  • You planned a route using a third-party app and it skipped a nearby K-Lataus station
  • A station listed as 'coming soon' in the K-Lataus app is actually already operational
  • Google Maps does not show K-Lataus chargers at a location where you know they exist

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Use the K-Lataus app as the primary source for station locations

    The K-Lataus app is always the most up-to-date source for K-Lataus stations. Third-party apps rely on data feeds that may lag behind actual station openings by days or weeks.

  2. 2

    Cross-check with the K-Lataus website

    The K-Lataus website also maintains a station map. Check it if the app is not giving you the information you need or if you want to plan ahead on a larger screen.

  3. 3

    Report missing stations to third-party apps

    If you use PlugShare or ABRP regularly, you can add missing stations yourself. This helps other EV drivers find K-Lataus locations that are not yet in the database.

  4. 4

    For route planning, combine K-Lataus with other network apps

    When planning a longer trip, check the K-Lataus app alongside ABRP or a similar route planner. The K-Lataus app shows the latest stations, while the route planner optimizes your overall charging stops across all networks.

Slow charging or failed sessions at older units in winter

Some older K-Lataus charger units perform less reliably in extreme cold. Winter in Finland brings temperatures that can affect both the charger hardware and your vehicle's battery.

Symptoms

  • The charger takes a long time to initialize in freezing conditions
  • Session fails with a generic error after a long handshake attempt
  • Charging speed is much lower than expected at a 200 kW station
  • The charger screen is slow to respond or displays incorrectly in cold weather

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Precondition your battery before arriving

    If your vehicle has a battery preconditioning feature (most newer EVs do), activate it before arriving at the charger. A warm battery accepts power faster and communicates more reliably with the charger during the initial handshake.

  2. 2

    Try unplugging and reconnecting

    In cold weather, the initial handshake between your vehicle and the charger can time out. Unplug, wait 30 seconds, and try again. Sometimes the second attempt connects cleanly.

  3. 3

    Try a different charger unit at the same station

    If the station has multiple charger units, one may be more reliable than the other. Older units can have more cold-weather issues than newer installations.

  4. 4

    Report consistently problematic chargers

    If a specific charger unit fails repeatedly in cold weather, report it through the K-Lataus app. This helps K-Group identify hardware that needs maintenance or replacement.

  5. 5

    Accept that cold weather reduces charging speed

    Even when everything works perfectly, a cold battery charges slower. This is a physics limitation, not a charger fault. The first 10 to 15 minutes of a session may be slower until the battery warms up from the charging current itself.

K-Lataus App Tips

  • Install the K-Lataus app separately from K-Ruoka. They share your K-Group login but serve different purposes. K-Lataus is specifically for EV charging.
  • The K-Lataus app shows real-time charger status. Check availability before driving to a station, especially at popular K-Citymarket locations.
  • New K-Lataus stations appear in the K-Lataus app first, often weeks before they show up in third-party apps. Use it as your primary source when planning stops at K-Group locations.
  • Your charging history in the K-Lataus app shows energy delivered, duration, and cost per session. Use it to track your charging patterns and costs over time.
  • Make sure your K-Lataus app is updated regularly. K-Group adds new stations and features, and an outdated app may miss the latest additions.

Payment Troubleshooting

  • Your regular Plussa card may not work at K-Lataus chargers without activation. Log in to the K-Lataus app and verify that charging is enabled for your Plussa membership.
  • The K-Lataus app is the most reliable payment method. If your physical card is not working, start the session through the app.
  • Charging purchases count toward your Plussa bonus. Make sure your Plussa number is linked in the K-Lataus app settings.
  • K-Lataus pricing is per kWh. The app displays the current rate before you start each session. No surprise charges.

When to Contact K-Lataus Support

K-Lataus support is available through the K-Lataus app. Look for the help or customer service section in the app menu. You can also contact K-Group customer service through their website or by phone. The charger unit at the station displays a support phone number for immediate issues like a stuck connector or a charger that repeatedly fails to start. For billing questions, check your charging history in the K-Lataus app first, as session details and costs are listed there.

You can also report charger issues through the K-Lataus app. Reporting helps them fix problems faster.

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