Polestar 2 Charging at EnBW mobility+

Polestar 2 Charger Won't Start or Begin Charging

You have plugged in your Polestar 2, the connector clicked, but nothing happens. The center display stays silent or shows an error. This is frustrating, but it is almost always fixable on the spot without calling support.

Symptoms

• CCS2 or Type 2 connector plugged in but no charging indicator on the center display
• Charger screen shows 'Waiting for vehicle' or stays on the start screen
• Polestar 2 charge port LED blinks but charging never begins
• Authentication succeeds on the charger but the session fails to start
• Center display briefly shows charging screen, then returns to idle

What to Do

1. 1

   Unplug and reconnect firmly

   Remove the CCS2 or Type 2 connector, wait 10 seconds, then reinsert it with a firm push until you hear a clear click. Watch the charge port LED on the Polestar 2 for a steady light.

2. 2

   Check for a charging schedule

   On the center display, go to Settings, then Charging. If a charging schedule is active, disable it or set it to 'Direct' so the car charges immediately when plugged in.

3. 3

   Restart the charger session

   On the charger, end the current session if one is shown. Then start a new session by tapping your RFID card or restarting in the charger's app. Some chargers have a physical start/stop button.

4. 4

   Try Plug & Charge or a different payment method

   If your Polestar 2 has Plug & Charge enabled, check the charger supports it. Otherwise, switch to a different RFID card, contactless payment, or the charger operator's app.

5. 5

   Reboot the car's infotainment system

   Press and hold the home button on the center display for about 15 seconds until the screen goes dark and restarts. Once it is back, try plugging in again. This resets the charging communication module.

6. 6

   Try a different charger or cable

   If the station has multiple stalls, move to a different one. If you are using a tethered cable, try bringing your own Type 2 cable. A faulty charger cable is more common than a faulty car.

Polestar 2 Charging Payment Failed at the Station

You are at the charger, your Polestar 2 is ready, but the payment will not go through. The charger says 'Authorization failed' or just does nothing after you tap your card. Payment issues are one of the most common reasons a charging session never starts, and they are usually fixable in a couple of minutes.

Symptoms

• Charger screen shows 'Authorization failed' or 'Payment declined' after tapping your card or RFID
• Charger app shows an error when trying to start a remote session for your Polestar 2
• Contactless bank card is declined even though it works at shops
• Plug & Charge does not activate automatically after plugging in the CCS2 connector
• Charger accepts payment but the session immediately ends with a zero-kWh charge

What to Do

1. 1

   Check if Plug & Charge is enabled

   On the Polestar 2 center display, go to Settings, then Charging. Confirm Plug & Charge is turned on. If it is on but the charger did not start automatically, this station likely does not support it. Use a different payment method.

2. 2

   Try the charger operator's app

   Look for the operator name on the charger (Ionity, Shell Recharge, Allego, etc.). Download their app if you do not have it, add a payment method, and start the session through the app. Make sure you select the correct stall number shown on the charger.

3. 3

   Try a different RFID card or payment method

   If you carry multiple charging cards, try a different one. Some roaming cards work across many networks. If you only have one card, try contactless payment with your bank card or phone if the charger supports it.

4. 4

   Check your bank card's available balance

   Open your banking app and check that you have enough available balance for the pre-authorization hold, which can be up to 50 EUR even for a short charge. Pending holds from previous charging sessions can temporarily reduce your available balance.

5. 5

   Restart the charger and try again

   Some chargers have a stop/reset button. Press it, wait for the screen to return to the start screen, then begin a fresh session. If there is no button, unplug your Polestar 2, wait 30 seconds, and replug.

6. 6

   Move to a different charger

   If nothing works at this stall, try a different stall at the same station. Payment terminals can fail independently. If the entire station is down, find the nearest alternative using the charger map on your Polestar 2 center display or Google Maps.

Polestar 2 Charging Slower Than Expected

You plugged in your Polestar 2 expecting 149 kW and the screen shows 40 kW. Or your home charger is stuck at 3 kW instead of 11 kW. Slow charging on the Polestar 2 is almost never a defect. It is usually the battery temperature, the charger itself, or a setting you can fix in two minutes.

Symptoms

• DC fast charging speed well below the 149 kW maximum
• AC home charging stuck at 3-4 kW instead of 11 kW
• Charging speed drops significantly after reaching 50-60%
• Charging session starts normally but slows down quickly
• Dashboard shows lower power than the charger's rated output

What to Do

1. 1

   Check the battery temperature

   Look at the charging screen on the center display. If the battery is cold (common in winter), drive for 15-20 minutes before charging or use the preconditioning feature through the Polestar app before arriving at the charger.

2. 2

   Check your state of charge

   If you are above 80%, the slower speed is normal. For fastest charging, arrive at the charger between 10-20% and charge to 80%.

3. 3

   Verify the charger is not shared

   Look at the charger unit. If there are two cables and someone is using the other one, you may be sharing power. Move to an unoccupied charger if available.

4. 4

   Check the AC charge current setting

   In the Polestar 2, go to Settings, then Charging. Make sure the charge current limiter is set to maximum. If it shows a lower value, increase it.

5. 5

   Try a different charger

   If the speed is still low, the charger itself may be degraded or faulty. Try a different charger at the same location or a different charging station.

Roaming pricing unclear or higher than expected

You started a session through EnBW mobility+ and the per-kWh price was significantly higher than you expected. The same charger costs different amounts at different times, and the pricing logic feels opaque.

Symptoms

• Per-kWh rate on the receipt is higher than the rate shown on the EnBW website
• Same charger location costs more through EnBW mobility+ than through the CPO's own app
• Price differs between two chargers at the same station
• Unexpected 'roaming fee' or 'session fee' on your invoice

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the price before you start the session

   In the EnBW mobility+ app, tap on the charger and look for the pricing details before starting. The app shows the per-kWh rate for that specific charger. Prices vary because each CPO sets different roaming rates.

2. 2

   Understand the pricing tiers

   EnBW mobility+ groups chargers into pricing tiers. 'EnBW own' chargers are cheapest, 'roaming standard' is mid-range, and 'roaming plus' (typically high-power chargers from premium CPOs like Ionity) costs more. The tier is usually shown in the charger details.

3. 3

   Compare with the CPO's own app

   If a charger is operated by Ionity, for example, check the Ionity app or website for their direct pricing. Sometimes the CPO's own app or RFID card is cheaper because there is no roaming middleman. If you use that CPO frequently, their own account may save you money.

4. 4

   Consider the EnBW mobility+ tariff you are on

   EnBW offers different tariffs (with and without a monthly fee). The tariff with a monthly fee usually gives lower per-kWh rates. In the app, go to your profile to check which tariff you are on and whether switching would save you money based on your usage.

5. 5

   Watch for idle fees and blocking fees

   Some chargers accessed through EnBW mobility+ charge a per-minute fee after your car finishes charging but the cable is still plugged in. Move your car promptly once charging is complete to avoid these fees.

App not loading charger details

You tap on a charger pin on the map and the detail screen is blank, shows a loading spinner forever, or displays outdated information. You cannot see pricing, availability, or the start button.

Symptoms

• Charger detail page shows a permanent loading spinner
• Availability status not updating (shows 'Available' for hours at a busy station)
• Price information missing from the detail screen
• App shows 'No connection' error when loading charger details

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check your phone's internet connection

   Charging stations are often in areas with poor cellular coverage, like parking garages, highway rest stops behind concrete walls, or rural areas. Switch between mobile data and Wi-Fi, or walk to a spot with better signal and load the charger details there.

2. 2

   Force-close the app and reopen it

   Swipe the EnBW mobility+ app away from your recent apps list, wait a few seconds, and reopen it. Navigate to the charger again. This clears any stuck network requests.

3. 3

   Search for the charger by ID

   Instead of tapping the map pin, use the search bar in the app and enter the charger's ID or EVSE number (printed on the physical unit). This sometimes loads details that the map view fails to fetch.

4. 4

   Use the QR code on the charger as a backup

   Many chargers have a QR code that opens a direct session start page. Scan it with your phone camera. This page is served by the CPO, not EnBW, and often loads faster.

5. 5

   Clear the app cache

   On Android: Settings, Apps, EnBW mobility+, Storage, Clear Cache. On iOS: delete and reinstall the app (iOS does not offer cache clearing). This resolves issues caused by corrupted local data.

QR code scan not working

You scan the QR code on the charger with the EnBW mobility+ app and it either does not recognize the code, opens a wrong page, or shows an error.

Symptoms

• App says 'QR code not recognized' after scanning
• QR code opens a web page for the CPO's own app instead of EnBW mobility+
• Camera does not focus on the QR code (too dark, code damaged)
• Scan succeeds but the session start page shows an error

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Use the EnBW app's built-in scanner, not your phone camera

   Open the EnBW mobility+ app and use its QR scanner (usually in the top menu or via a scan button on the map screen). Scanning with your phone camera might open the CPO's own page instead of routing through EnBW.

2. 2

   Clean the QR code

   Wipe dirt, rain, or ice off the QR code with your sleeve. Damaged or faded QR codes are common on outdoor chargers. If the code is badly worn, look for a second QR code on a different part of the charger.

3. 3

   Turn on your phone's flashlight

   In dark or shaded areas, the camera cannot read the code. Most QR scanners (including EnBW's) have a flashlight toggle. Enable it for better readability.

4. 4

   Enter the charger ID manually

   If the QR code will not scan, look for the charger's numeric or alphanumeric ID printed nearby. Enter it manually in the EnBW app's search function to find and start the session.

Cannot stop the session from the app

You tap 'Stop Charging' in the EnBW mobility+ app and nothing happens. The session keeps running, your car keeps charging (or has already finished but the session stays active), and you want to unplug and leave.

Symptoms

• 'Stop' button in the app does not respond or shows an error
• Session shows as active in the app even after unplugging
• Charger screen says 'Session active' but your car is full
• You are worried about accumulating idle fees

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Physically unplug the connector from your car

   On most chargers, unplugging the cable ends the session automatically, regardless of what the app says. Unlock your car's charge port (from the car's screen, key fob, or charge port button) and remove the connector.

2. 2

   Wait 2 minutes and check the app again

   There is often a delay between physically ending the session and the app updating. The app depends on the CPO's system sending a 'session ended' signal back through the roaming chain. Give it a moment.

3. 3

   Force-close and reopen the app

   Sometimes the app's session view gets stuck. Force-close it, reopen, and check your session history. The session may already be ended on the backend even if the active session screen was not updating.

4. 4

   Press the stop button on the charger itself

   Many chargers have a physical stop button on the screen or housing. Press it. This sends the stop command directly to the charger hardware without going through the roaming network.

5. 5

   Contact support if you are being billed for a stuck session

   If the session stays 'active' in the app for more than 10 minutes after you have unplugged and driven away, contact EnBW mobility+ support. They can close the session on their end and correct any overcharges.

App is in German and hard to navigate

The EnBW mobility+ app defaults to German. If you do not speak German, navigating menus, understanding pricing details, and finding settings can be frustrating.

Symptoms

• All menus and buttons are in German after installation
• Language setting not obvious in the app
• Error messages appear in German, making troubleshooting difficult
• Pricing terms and tariff explanations are only in German

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Change your phone's system language temporarily

   The EnBW mobility+ app follows your phone's system language. If English is available in the app, switching your phone to English (Settings, General, Language) will switch the app too. You can switch back after you finish.

2. 2

   Check for an English option in the app settings

   Open the app, tap the profile or menu icon (usually three lines or a person icon in the corner), and look for 'Sprache' (Language) or 'Einstellungen' (Settings). Some versions offer English as an option directly.

3. 3

   Use your phone's translate feature on screenshots

   On iOS, take a screenshot and use Live Text to translate. On Android, use Google Lens. This is useful for understanding pricing details or error messages in German.

4. 4

   Consider an alternative roaming app with better language support

   If the language barrier is a persistent problem, apps like Shell Recharge, Plugsurfing, or Chargemap offer similar roaming coverage across Europe and have full English interfaces. They access many of the same chargers.