Smart #1 Charging at EVBox

Smart #1 Pro Plus Charger Will Not Start a Session

You plugged the connector into your Smart #1, but the charger is not responding. No charging indicator, no session starting, nothing happening. This is almost always a charger-side or authentication issue, not a problem with the car. Let us work through it.

Symptoms

• The CCS2 or Type 2 connector is in but nothing happens
• The charger screen shows an error or stays on the welcome screen
• The Smart #1 dashboard does not show a charging session
• You hear the connector lock but charging does not begin
• The charging app shows the charger as available even though you are plugged in

What to Do

1. 1

   Authenticate with the charger first

   Tap your RFID card, open the charging network app, or use contactless payment on the charger. Wait for the charger screen to confirm the session before plugging in.

2. 2

   Remove and reinsert the connector

   Unlock the connector (press the button on the charger handle), remove it fully, wait 10 seconds, then push it back in firmly until it clicks and locks.

3. 3

   Lock and unlock the car

   Use the key fob or Smart app to lock the car, wait 15 seconds, then unlock it. This can reset the charging system if it is in a fault state.

4. 4

   Check the charge port for ice or debris

   Open the charge port flap on the rear left of the Smart #1 and inspect it. In winter, warm the port gently with your hands or use lukewarm water if ice is present. Never use hot water.

5. 5

   Restart the infotainment system

   Press and hold the power button on the center screen for 10 seconds to restart the system. Wait for it to boot fully, then try plugging in again.

6. 6

   Try a different charger

   If the session still will not start, the charger is likely faulty. Move to another charger at the station or a different location.

Smart #1 Pro Plus Payment Failed at Charging Station

You are ready to charge your Smart #1, but the payment will not go through. The RFID card does not register, the app gives an error, or your bank card gets declined. This is a charger and payment issue, not a car issue. Here is what to do.

Symptoms

• RFID card tap does nothing at the charger
• Charging app shows a payment or authorization error
• Contactless bank card is declined
• Charger displays a payment error code
• Session starts but stops immediately with a billing message

What to Do

1. 1

   Check which payment methods the charger accepts

   Look at the stickers and screen on the charger for accepted networks, apps, and card types. If your payment method is not listed, you need to try something else.

2. 2

   Switch to a different payment method

   Try a different RFID card, a different charging app, or a contactless bank card. Having multiple options is essential for public charging in Europe.

3. 3

   Check your available balance

   Open your banking app and verify you have at least 80 EUR available to cover the pre-authorization hold. If not, use a card with a higher balance.

4. 4

   Hold the RFID card steadily

   Place the RFID card flat against the reader and hold it for 2-3 seconds. Do not tap and remove quickly. Some readers are slow to respond.

5. 5

   Cancel and retry the session

   If a previous attempt is stuck, cancel it through the app first. Wait a minute, then start a fresh session from scratch.

6. 6

   Try the other charger unit

   If the payment hardware is faulty on one unit, the neighboring charger at the same station may work fine.

Smart #1 Pro Plus Charging Slower Than Expected Speed

Your Smart #1 should charge at up to 150 kW on DC and 22 kW on AC, but the numbers on the screen tell a different story. Maybe you are stuck at 40 kW on a fast charger, or your wallbox is only delivering 7 kW. Here is what is going on and how to fix it.

Symptoms

• DC fast charging well below the 150 kW maximum
• AC charging stuck at 7 or 11 kW instead of 22 kW
• Charging speed drops sharply after 50-60% state of charge
• The dashboard shows lower power than the charger rating
• Charging from 10% to 80% takes much longer than the advertised 30 minutes

What to Do

1. 1

   Use navigation to activate preconditioning

   Set the DC charger as your destination in the Smart #1's built-in navigation. This activates battery preconditioning, warming or cooling the battery to the ideal temperature before you arrive.

2. 2

   Check your state of charge

   If you are above 60%, the slower speed is expected. For the fastest DC charging, arrive between 10-20% and charge to 80%.

3. 3

   Verify the charger's actual output

   Check the charger display for its rated power. If it says 50 kW, that is your maximum regardless of the Smart #1's 150 kW capability. Look for chargers rated 150 kW or higher.

4. 4

   Check if the charger is shared

   If another car is using the adjacent connector on the same charger unit, you may be sharing power. Move to a charger with no other user if possible.

5. 5

   For AC, verify three-phase connection

   To get 22 kW AC, your wallbox must be wired for three-phase at 32A. Check with your electrician. If you only have single-phase, the maximum is about 7.4 kW.

6. 6

   Try a different charger

   If speeds are still low after checking everything, the charger may be degraded. Try another charger at the same station or a different location.

EVBox app vs third-party operator confusion

You see an EVBox-branded charger and download the EVBox app, but the session will not start because the station is operated by a different company. Many EVBox chargers are hardware only, with a separate operator managing access and billing.

Symptoms

• EVBox app does not show the station or cannot start a session
• You created an EVBox account but the charger asks for a different app or RFID card
• Charger has EVBox branding but the screen shows a different company name
• QR code on the charger leads to a different operator's website or app

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the operator name on the charger screen or signage

   Look at the charger display when it is idle. The operator name is usually shown on the welcome screen. Common operators using EVBox hardware include municipalities, parking companies, and energy providers.

2. 2

   Scan the QR code on the charger

   The QR code leads to the operator's platform, not necessarily EVBox. Scan it to find out which app or website you need.

3. 3

   Try a roaming RFID card

   If you have an RFID card from Shell Recharge, Chargemap, Plugsurfing, or another roaming provider, try tapping it. Many EVBox chargers accept roaming cards regardless of who operates them.

4. 4

   Search for the station in a multi-network app

   Apps like Chargemap or Shell Recharge aggregate many operators. Search for the charger location and you should see which operator runs it and how to start a session.

5. 5

   Download the correct operator's app

   Once you know who operates the station, download their app. The EVBox app only works for chargers that EVBox operates directly.

CHAdeMO connector availability varies

Some EVBox fast chargers have both CCS2 and CHAdeMO connectors, but the CHAdeMO connector may be out of service, removed, or restricted. CHAdeMO is being phased out in Europe and availability is declining.

Symptoms

• CHAdeMO connector is physically present but does not work
• Charger screen shows CHAdeMO as 'Unavailable' or 'Out of Order'
• CHAdeMO connector has been removed and the port is capped
• App shows CHAdeMO available but the physical connector is missing

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the charger before relying on CHAdeMO

   If your vehicle uses CHAdeMO, visually confirm the connector is present and functional at the station before planning your stop. App data may not reflect recent hardware changes.

2. 2

   Try the CHAdeMO connector even if the app status is unclear

   Plug in and attempt to start a session. Sometimes the app shows a stale status but the connector works fine.

3. 3

   Have a CCS2 adapter as a long-term solution

   If your vehicle only has CHAdeMO (common in older Nissan Leafs and some Mitsubishi models), CHAdeMO infrastructure is shrinking across Europe. A CHAdeMO-to-CCS2 adapter may be worth investigating for your specific vehicle.

4. 4

   Filter for CHAdeMO in your charging app

   When planning a route, filter specifically for stations with verified CHAdeMO connectors. User reviews and recent check-ins are more reliable than operator listings for CHAdeMO availability.

RFID card registration process unclear

To use an RFID card at EVBox-operated stations, you may need to register the card through the EVBox platform first. The registration process is not always obvious.

Symptoms

• New RFID card does not work at the charger even after ordering it from EVBox
• Card works at other networks but not at EVBox-operated stations
• You received a card but there are no activation instructions
• Online portal asks for a card number format you do not recognize

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the activation email

   When you order an RFID card from EVBox, they send an activation email. Check your inbox and spam folder. The email contains a link to activate the card in your EVBox account.

2. 2

   Add the card in the EVBox app or portal

   Log in to your EVBox account (app or web portal). Navigate to 'My cards' or 'Charge cards' and add the card using the number printed on it. The card does not work until it is linked to your account.

3. 3

   Wait for activation to propagate

   After registering the card, it may take up to 24 hours for the activation to reach all chargers. If the card does not work immediately after registration, try again the next day.

4. 4

   Use the app as a backup while the card activates

   You can start sessions through the EVBox app while waiting for your RFID card to activate. Tap 'Start charging' in the app and select the charger.

Charger offline due to firmware update

EVBox periodically pushes firmware updates to their chargers. During an update, the charger is temporarily unavailable. This can happen without warning and usually lasts 10 to 30 minutes.

Symptoms

• Charger screen shows 'Updating' or 'Maintenance' message
• Charger was working a few minutes ago but now shows as offline
• App shows the charger as unavailable with no estimated return time
• Multiple chargers at the same location are all offline simultaneously

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Wait 10 to 15 minutes

   Firmware updates on EVBox chargers usually complete within 10 to 30 minutes. If the charger shows an update message, it will likely come back online shortly.

2. 2

   Try another charger at the same location

   Firmware updates sometimes roll out one unit at a time. If there are multiple chargers, others may still be operational.

3. 3

   Check the app for status updates

   The operator's app or the EVBox app may show whether the outage is a scheduled update or an unexpected fault. Scheduled updates usually have an estimated completion time.

4. 4

   Move to an alternative station if you cannot wait

   If you need to charge immediately and the update is taking longer than expected, use a multi-network app to find the nearest available charger from any network.

Power sharing between connectors reduces speed

Some EVBox fast chargers share their power output between two connectors. When both are in use, each vehicle receives roughly half the charger's maximum power.

Symptoms

• Charging speed drops by half when a second car plugs into the same unit
• Dashboard shows 75 kW at a charger rated for 150 kW
• Speed suddenly increases when the car on the other connector finishes
• One side of the charger consistently delivers more power than the other

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check if both connectors are on the same unit

   EVBox dual-connector chargers share one power module. If both CCS2 cables come from the same physical cabinet, they share power. Two separate cabinets are two independent chargers.

2. 2

   Choose an unoccupied charger unit if available

   If multiple charger units are available, pick one where the other connector is not in use. You will get the full rated power to yourself.

3. 3

   Understand how power sharing works

   Power sharing is dynamic. The charger allocates power based on what each vehicle can accept. If the other vehicle is at 80% and barely drawing power, you may get most of the charger's output even while sharing.

4. 4

   Wait for the other car to finish

   If your speed is reduced by sharing, it will increase when the other vehicle finishes. Check your dashboard periodically. The speed change happens automatically without any action from you.

5. 5

   Check your vehicle's own limits first

   Before assuming power sharing is the issue, verify that your car is not limiting the speed due to battery temperature, state of charge above 80%, or its own maximum DC charging rate.