Tesla Model Y Charging at Mer

Tesla Model Y Charger Won't Start a Charging Session

You have plugged in your Model Y, 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 door 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 blue. On CCS2, the lower DC pins need to seat fully. The Model Y charge port is on the left rear, same position as the Model 3.

2. 2

   Check the touchscreen for error messages

   Look at the charging screen on the 15-inch 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 CCS2 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 reader. At Tesla Superchargers, billing is automatic through your Tesla account. No app needed.

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 the door open.

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 Model Y and the charger. Your driving settings are not affected.

6. 6

   Try a different charger or stall

   If nothing works, the charger may be faulty. Move to a different stall or station. The Tesla app shows Supercharger stall availability in real time. For non-Tesla chargers, check the network's app for station status.

Tesla Model Y Payment Failed or Cannot Pay at Charger

You are at a charger and it will not take your payment. Or the session ended and you have no idea how you were billed. Payment is one of the most confusing parts of public charging, especially when moving between Tesla Superchargers and non-Tesla CCS2 chargers. Each one works differently, and the error messages are rarely helpful.

Symptoms

• Charger display shows 'Payment failed' or 'Card declined' when you try to start a session
• Supercharger session will not start and the Tesla app shows a billing issue
• Non-Tesla CCS2 charger requires an app you do not have installed
• Contactless payment terminal on the charger does not respond to your card or phone
• You completed a charge but cannot find the receipt or understand the pricing

What to Do

1. 1

   Check your Tesla account payment method

   Open the Tesla app, go to Account, then Payment. Make sure your credit card is valid and not expired. If it was declined, update the card details. Supercharger sessions will not start until a valid payment method is on file. You can add multiple cards as backup.

2. 2

   Download the charging network's app

   At non-Tesla CCS2 chargers, check the network logo on the charger. Download their app (Ionity, Shell Recharge, Fastned, or whichever brand). Create an account and add a payment method. Then start the session through the app. This takes a few minutes the first time, so do it before your next road trip.

3. 3

   Try contactless payment if the charger supports it

   Look for a contactless payment symbol on the charger. Tap your credit card, debit card, or phone (Apple Pay, Google Pay). If the terminal does not respond, try holding your card flat against the reader for 2-3 seconds. If it still fails, the terminal may be offline.

4. 4

   Call your bank if the card keeps declining

   If your card is declined repeatedly, your bank may be blocking the charge as suspicious activity. This is common with foreign networks or large pre-authorization holds. Call your bank and authorize the transaction. Some banks let you do this through their app.

5. 5

   Move to a different charger if payment is not possible

   If you cannot pay at this station, use the Tesla nav to find a nearby Supercharger where billing is automatic. Or search for another CCS2 charger from a different network. Having accounts with 2-3 charging networks gives you backup options on road trips.

6. 6

   Check your receipts after charging

   Tesla Supercharger receipts appear in the Tesla app under Charging History. Non-Tesla charger receipts come through the network's app or via email. If pricing seems wrong, compare the posted per-kWh or per-minute rate on the charger with your receipt.

Tesla Model Y Charging Slower Than Expected at Charger

You plugged in your Model Y expecting 250 kW and the touchscreen shows 40 kW. Or your home wallbox is stuck at 3 kW instead of 11 kW. Slow charging on the Model Y Long Range is almost never a defect. It is usually the battery temperature, your state of charge, a charger limitation, or a setting you can fix on the 15-inch touchscreen in under a minute.

Symptoms

• DC fast charging power well below the 250 kW maximum shown on the touchscreen
• AC home charging stuck at 3-4 kW instead of the expected 11 kW on 3-phase
• 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 next time, use the Tesla nav to route to a Supercharger. The Model Y will automatically precondition the battery during the drive, warming it for peak charging speed.

2. 2

   Check your state of charge before plugging in

   If you are above 60%, expect reduced speeds. The Model Y Long Range peaks at 250 kW but only in the 5-30% range. For the fastest DC sessions on road trips, plan your stops to arrive between 10-20%. Charging from 10% to 80% is far faster per kWh added than 80% to 100%.

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. V3 and V4 Superchargers do not have this problem. The Tesla app shows real-time stall availability.

4. 4

   Check the AC charge current limit

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

5. 5

   Try a different charger or stall

   If speeds are still low, the charger may be degraded or faulty. Try a different stall at the same location. On non-Tesla CCS2 chargers, some stations deliver less power than advertised, especially when multiple vehicles are charging.

6. 6

   Check for a software update

   Go to Controls, then Software on the touchscreen. If an update is available, install it over Wi-Fi. Tesla occasionally adjusts charging curves through software updates that can improve peak power or thermal management.

Station occupancy not updating in the app

The Mer app shows a station as available, but when you arrive, all connectors are occupied or out of service. The real-time status in the app can lag behind by several minutes.

Symptoms

• App shows "Available" but all connectors are in use when you arrive
• App shows a station as occupied but the chargers are visibly free
• Connector status flickers between available and occupied in the app
• Recently freed connectors still show as "In use" in the app for several minutes

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Pull to refresh the station detail in the Mer app

   On the station page, pull down to force a status refresh. The app does not always update automatically, and a manual refresh often shows the correct status.

2. 2

   Close and reopen the app

   Force-close the Mer app and reopen it. This clears any cached station data and pulls a fresh status from the server.

3. 3

   Check a third-party app for a second opinion

   Apps like Plugsurfing, A Better Route Planner, or Google Maps sometimes pull fresher data from Mer's backend. Use one of these to verify availability if the Mer app seems wrong.

4. 4

   Drive to the station if it is nearby

   If the station is less than five minutes away, it is often faster to just go and check. Occupancy can change in the time it takes to troubleshoot the app.

Third-party RFID card rejected

You are trying to authenticate with an RFID card from a roaming provider like Plugsurfing, NewMotion, or Virta, but the Mer charger rejects it. Not all third-party RFID cards are accepted at every Mer station.

Symptoms

• Charger screen shows "Card not recognized" after tapping
• The charger beeps once but nothing happens
• Your RFID card works at other networks but fails at Mer
• The charger prompts you to try again but repeated taps do not help

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Hold the card flat against the reader for three full seconds

   Do not tap and remove quickly. Some Mer readers need a longer hold to register the card. Keep it pressed flat against the RFID symbol.

2. 2

   Check if your roaming provider covers Mer stations

   Open your roaming provider's app and search for this specific Mer station. Some providers have roaming agreements with Mer but not for every station type or region.

3. 3

   Use the Mer app instead

   Download the Mer app if you do not have it. Create an account and add a payment method. You can start the session through the app even if your RFID card does not work.

4. 4

   Try contactless bank card payment

   Newer Mer stations have a contactless payment terminal. Look for a card reader with the contactless payment symbol. Tap your bank card or phone to start.

5. 5

   Try a Mer-issued RFID card for future visits

   You can order an RFID card directly from Mer through their app or website. Mer's own cards are accepted at all Mer stations without roaming issues.

Charger screen showing error but no error code

The charger screen displays a generic error message like "Error" or "Fault" without any specific code or explanation. This makes it hard to know if the problem is temporary or if the unit is broken.

Symptoms

• Charger screen shows "Error" or a red warning icon with no further detail
• The error appears before you even try to authenticate
• The error appears after plugging in but before power delivery starts
• Screen alternates between the normal start screen and the error message

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Unplug the connector and wait 30 seconds

   Some Mer chargers show transient errors after a previous session ended abnormally. Unplugging and waiting gives the charger time to reset its internal state.

2. 2

   Try the other connector on the same unit

   If the station has a second CCS2 connector, try that one. A hardware fault on one connector does not always affect the other.

3. 3

   Check if other cars are successfully charging at the station

   If nobody at the station is charging, the entire station may be down. If others are charging fine, the issue is limited to your connector.

4. 4

   Report the faulty unit in the Mer app

   Open the Mer app, find the station, and report the issue. Include which connector number has the error. This helps Mer send a technician and warns other drivers.

5. 5

   Move to a different station

   A charger with a persistent generic error is unlikely to start working on its own. Use the Mer app to find the nearest alternative station.

Cable locked and will not release in cold weather

You finished charging but the CCS2 cable will not unlock from your car. In Nordic winters, ice can form around the connector locking mechanism, making it physically difficult to release.

Symptoms

• Pressing the connector release button does not unlock the cable
• The connector feels frozen in place
• Your car shows "Charging complete" but the cable is stuck
• The locking pin on the connector is visibly iced over

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Make sure the charging session has fully ended

   The cable stays locked while a session is active. Stop the session in the Mer app or on the charger screen, then try releasing the connector again. Wait 10 seconds after the session ends.

2. 2

   Try unlocking from your car

   Most EVs have a cable release option in the infotainment system or a button near the charge port. Use your car's unlock function rather than the connector button.

3. 3

   Warm the connector gently

   If ice is the problem, pour lukewarm water (not boiling) over the connector and charge port area. You can also cup your hands around the connector to warm it with body heat. Do not use force or tools to pry it free.

4. 4

   Run the car's cabin heater for a few minutes

   Turning on the car's climate system can gradually warm the charge port area from the inside. This works slowly but can free a mildly frozen connector after 5-10 minutes.

5. 5

   Call Mer support if the cable is truly stuck

   If nothing works after 15 minutes, call the support number on the charger. Mer can remotely release the cable lock on their end. Do not pull with excessive force as this can damage both the connector and your car's charge port.

App requires location services for remote start

The Mer app asks you to enable location services before you can start a charging session, even when you are standing right next to the charger and selected it manually from the map.

Symptoms

• App shows "Enable location services to start charging" popup
• Start button is grayed out until location permission is granted
• The app worked fine before but now demands location after an update
• You can browse the map but cannot start a session without GPS enabled

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Enable location services temporarily

   Go to your phone's settings, find the Mer app, and set location access to "While Using the App." You can change it back after your session.

2. 2

   Make sure GPS has a fix

   In underground parking garages or areas with poor GPS reception, the app may not be able to confirm your location. Step outside or move closer to an open area until the app detects your position.

3. 3

   Use RFID or contactless payment instead

   If you do not want to share your location, use your RFID card or a contactless bank card to start the session. These methods do not require the app at all.

4. 4

   Scan the QR code on the charger

   Some Mer chargers have a QR code that opens the start process in a browser, bypassing the app's location requirement.

Former Grønn Kontakt station not found in Mer app

Mer acquired Grønn Kontakt in Norway, but some older stations may not appear correctly in the Mer app, especially during the transition period.

Symptoms

• Station visible on the street but not on the Mer app map
• Searching by the old Grønn Kontakt name returns no results
• QR code on the charger links to a Grønn Kontakt page that no longer works
• RFID card from Grønn Kontakt account rejected

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Update the Mer app to the latest version

   Older versions of the app may not include recently migrated Grønn Kontakt stations. Update from the App Store or Google Play.

2. 2

   Search by the station's physical address

   Instead of searching by station name, try the street address or zoom into the location on the app map. The station may appear under a new Mer name.

3. 3

   Enter the charger ID manually

   Look for a station or connector ID printed on the charger hardware. Enter this ID in the Mer app's manual start option.

4. 4

   Use contactless payment to bypass the app

   If the station has a payment terminal, tap your bank card to start. This works independently of whether the app has the station listed.