Tesla Model 3 Charging at Iberdrola

Tesla Model 3 Charger Won't Start a Charging Session

You have plugged in your Model 3, the charge port light is doing something weird, and nothing is happening. This is one of the most common frustrations for EV drivers. The good news is that it is almost always fixable on the spot. The cause is usually authentication, the charge port latch, or the charger itself.

Symptoms

• Charge port LED flashes amber or red after plugging in the CCS2 connector
• Touchscreen shows an error message instead of the charging screen
• Charger display says 'Waiting for vehicle' or 'Authentication failed'
• Charge port will not open when pressing the button on the connector
• Supercharger session does not start automatically after plugging in

What to Do

1. 1

   Unplug and replug the connector firmly

   Pull the connector out completely. Wait 5 seconds. Push it back in firmly until you hear a click and the charge port LED turns green or starts pulsing. On CCS2, the lower DC pins need to seat fully.

2. 2

   Check the touchscreen for error messages

   Look at the charging screen on the touchscreen. It will tell you if there is an error, if scheduled charging is active, or if the car is waiting for something. If Scheduled Charging is delaying the session, tap 'Charge Now' to override it.

3. 3

   Authenticate with the charging network

   At non-Tesla chargers, open the network's app (Ionity, Shell Recharge, or whichever network). Start the session through the app, or tap your RFID card on the charger. At Tesla Superchargers, this step is automatic.

4. 4

   Try the manual charge port release if the port is stuck

   If the charge port will not open, try tapping your Tesla key card on the B-pillar and pressing the charge port door. You can also open it from the touchscreen under Controls. In freezing weather, pour lukewarm water around the port to melt ice. Never force it.

5. 5

   Restart the touchscreen

   Hold both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for about 10 seconds until the Tesla logo appears. This restarts the infotainment system and can clear communication errors between the car and the charger.

6. 6

   Try a different charger or stall

   If nothing works, the charger may be faulty. Move to a different stall or station. At Superchargers, the Tesla app shows stall availability in real time.

Tesla Model 3 Payment Failed at the Charging Station

You plugged in, everything looked fine, and then the charger says payment failed. Or the session will not start because authentication did not go through. Payment problems are different at Tesla Superchargers versus non-Tesla CCS2 chargers, so the fix depends on where you are.

Symptoms

• Charger display shows 'Payment failed' or 'Transaction declined' after tapping a card
• Tesla Supercharger session will not start and the Tesla app shows a billing error
• Non-Tesla CCS2 charger shows 'Authentication failed' after scanning RFID or using an app
• Contactless payment terminal on the charger does not respond to your bank card
• Charging starts but stops after a few seconds with a payment-related error on the charger screen

What to Do

1. 1

   Check if this is a Tesla Supercharger or a non-Tesla station

   At Tesla Superchargers, payment is automatic through your Tesla account. At non-Tesla CCS2 chargers, you need to authenticate separately. The fix is completely different for each.

2. 2

   For Superchargers: update your payment method in the Tesla app

   Open the Tesla app, go to Account, then Payment. Check that your card is current and not expired. Add a new card if needed. Then try the Supercharger again. The session should start automatically after plugging in.

3. 3

   For non-Tesla chargers: authenticate through the network app

   Open the charging network's app (Ionity, Shell Recharge, Virta, or whichever network runs the charger). Select the charger, start the session, then plug in. Make sure the app shows your payment method is valid.

4. 4

   Try a different payment method at the charger

   If the contactless terminal failed, try the network's app instead. If the app failed, try an RFID card. If you do not have the network's app, some chargers accept ad-hoc payments through a QR code on the charger.

5. 5

   Call your bank if repeated transactions are declined

   If your card keeps getting declined at chargers, your bank may be blocking charging transactions. Call the number on the back of your card and let them know you are making EV charging payments. They can whitelist these merchants.

6. 6

   Move to a different charger if the payment terminal is broken

   If the charger's payment terminal is physically unresponsive, try a different stall. Report the broken terminal through the network's app so they can fix it.

Tesla Model 3 Charging Slower Than Expected at Charger

You plugged in your Model 3 expecting 175 kW and the touchscreen shows 50 kW. Or your home wallbox is stuck at 3 kW instead of 11 kW. Slow charging on the Model 3 is almost never a defect. It is usually the battery temperature, a charger limitation, or a setting you can fix on the touchscreen in under a minute.

Symptoms

• DC fast charging power well below the 175 kW maximum shown on the touchscreen
• AC home charging stuck at 3-4 kW instead of the expected 11 kW
• Charging speed drops sharply after reaching 50-60% on the touchscreen
• Supercharger shows lower kW than the stall is rated for
• Touchscreen charging animation shows a slow trickle instead of rapid charging

What to Do

1. 1

   Check the battery temperature on the touchscreen

   Tap the charging icon on the touchscreen. If the battery is cold, you will see a snowflake icon or a message about reduced charging speed. To fix this, use the Tesla nav to route to a Supercharger. The car will automatically precondition the battery during the drive.

2. 2

   Check your state of charge

   If you are above 80%, the slower speed is expected. For the fastest DC charging, arrive between 10-20%. The Model 3 LFP hits peak power in the 10-50% range.

3. 3

   Move to an unpaired Supercharger stall

   Look at the stall numbers. If they are labeled in pairs (1A/1B, 2A/2B), pick a stall where the paired stall is empty. At V3 or V4 Superchargers, this is not an issue.

4. 4

   Check the AC charge current limit

   On the touchscreen, go to Controls, then Charging. Look for the charge current slider or setting. Make sure it is set to the maximum value. This only affects AC charging, not Supercharging.

5. 5

   Try a different charger or stall

   If speeds are still low, the charger may be degraded. Try a different stall at the same location. On non-Tesla CCS chargers, some stations deliver less power than advertised.

6. 6

   Check for a software update

   Go to Controls, then Software on the touchscreen. If an update is available, install it. Tesla occasionally adjusts charging curves through software updates.

App defaults to Spanish

The Iberdrola app opens in Spanish regardless of your phone's language setting. Finding the language switch can be confusing if you do not read Spanish.

Symptoms

• All app text is in Spanish after installation
• Language setting is not obvious in the menus
• Error messages and charger instructions appear only in Spanish
• Switching your phone's language does not change the app

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Open the app settings and look for 'Idioma'

   'Idioma' means 'Language' in Spanish. It is usually under the profile or settings menu (gear icon). Tap it and select English or your preferred language.

2. 2

   Check the profile or account section

   Some versions of the Iberdrola app place the language selector inside the user profile rather than in general settings. Look for your name or account icon at the top of the screen.

3. 3

   Update the app to the latest version

   Iberdrola has been improving multi-language support. Older versions may not have your language available. Update from the App Store or Google Play.

4. 4

   Use a roaming app as a backup

   If the language barrier is too frustrating, roaming apps like Chargemap, Shell Recharge, or Electropass work at many Iberdrola stations and offer broader language support.

Contactless payment session timeout

After tapping your card on an Iberdrola charger, there is a short window to plug in the cable and start charging. If you take too long, the session times out and you need to tap again.

Symptoms

• You tapped your card but by the time you connected the cable, nothing happened
• Charger screen shows 'Session expired' or returns to the start screen
• You were charged a pre-authorization but no energy was delivered
• The charger seemed ready but then went back to idle

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Plug in the cable first, then tap your card

   At Iberdrola stations, connect the cable to your vehicle before tapping your contactless card. This gives the charger the best chance to start immediately after authentication.

2. 2

   Tap your card again and act quickly

   After the tap, you typically have 60 to 90 seconds to complete the connection. If you missed the window, tap again. The pre-authorization from the first attempt will be released.

3. 3

   Use the Iberdrola app instead

   The app does not have the same time pressure. You can connect the cable, open the app, select the charger, and start at your own pace.

4. 4

   Check your bank statement for ghost charges

   Failed contactless attempts may show a pre-authorization hold. These are not actual charges and typically release within 3 to 7 business days. Contact your bank if they persist.

Confusing signage at gas station locations

Some Iberdrola chargers are located at gas stations (Repsol, Cepsa, or others). The EV charging area may not be clearly separated from the fuel pumps, and signage can be confusing.

Symptoms

• You cannot find the EV chargers at the gas station
• GPS directs you to the fuel pumps instead of the charging area
• Signage points to 'carga' or 'recarga' but the direction is unclear
• The charging spots are behind the gas station building or in an overflow lot

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Look for the charging area separate from the fuel pumps

   EV chargers at gas stations are almost always in a dedicated area away from the fuel pumps. Look for tall charger cabinets (about 2 meters high) rather than fuel dispensers.

2. 2

   Drive past the fuel pump area

   The charging area is often behind the main building, in a side lot, or at the far end of the property. Drive through the station slowly and look for the Iberdrola or charging network signage.

3. 3

   Ask the gas station attendant

   If the station has staff, ask where the electric charging points are. In Spanish, 'Donde estan los cargadores electricos?' gets the point across.

4. 4

   Check the Iberdrola app for station photos

   The station detail page in the Iberdrola app sometimes includes photos or access instructions that help you find the chargers within a larger gas station complex.

Mix of slow and fast chargers at the same station

Some Iberdrola stations have both AC chargers (7 to 22 kW) and DC fast chargers (50 to 350 kW) next to each other. It is easy to plug into a slow charger by mistake if you are not paying attention.

Symptoms

• You expected fast charging but your dashboard shows only 7 or 22 kW
• The charger you plugged into looks smaller than the others at the station
• You used a Type 2 cable instead of a CCS2 connector
• The charging session is going to take hours instead of minutes

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the charger label for power output

   Iberdrola chargers display their rated power (e.g., 50 kW, 150 kW, 350 kW) on the unit. Look for this label before plugging in. AC chargers (7 to 22 kW) are typically smaller and have Type 2 sockets.

2. 2

   Use the CCS2 connector for fast charging

   The CCS2 connector is the large combined plug for DC fast charging. If you used the smaller Type 2 plug (round with pins), you are on AC and will charge slowly.

3. 3

   Check the Iberdrola app for charger details

   The app shows each charger unit's power level at a station. Before plugging in, confirm which unit is the high-power DC charger.

4. 4

   Unplug and move to the fast charger

   If you accidentally started an AC session, stop the session in the app, unplug, and move to the DC fast charger. You will not be charged a penalty for a short session.

Power delivery varies by time of day

Some Iberdrola stations deliver noticeably less power during peak grid hours (typically early evening). This is due to grid constraints, not a charger fault.

Symptoms

• Charging speed is significantly lower in the evening than the same station delivered in the morning
• Speed starts high but drops during peak hours even at low battery levels
• Other vehicles at the station also show reduced speeds at the same time
• The charger does not reach its rated power despite your vehicle supporting it

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check your battery level first

   The most common reason for reduced charging speed is a battery above 60 to 80% state of charge. Your vehicle limits the charging rate at higher battery levels regardless of the charger's capability.

2. 2

   Try charging during off-peak hours

   If your schedule allows, charge during late evening (after 10 PM) or early morning. Grid demand is lower and the station can deliver its full rated power.

3. 3

   Check for power sharing between chargers

   If multiple chargers are in use at the same station, they may share a grid connection. Charging when fewer vehicles are plugged in can improve your speed.

4. 4

   Try a different station nearby

   Not all Iberdrola stations have the same grid connection. A station a few kilometers away may have a better power supply and deliver higher speeds during peak hours.

5. 5

   Accept the reduced speed if you are above 60%

   If your battery is above 60%, the speed reduction is mostly from your vehicle's battery management, not the grid. This is normal and protects your battery's long-term health.