Charging speed on 400 kWh double use charging stations

[CHP]

Hi, on two longer trips I was let down by actual charging speed due to charging on 400 kWh chargers. Those chargers deliver around 370kWh on single use but drop down to around 130 kWh if used by 2 cars. On Sunday charging station was nearly full 13/16 and even single 350 kWh delivered only 130 kWh. Battery was prepped for 360 kWh / 80% charge. This is only 2nd time this happened to me so would be great for others to share their experience to get a better picture. As for now, I will skip 400 kWh chargers when more than 40% occupied if possible.

 

[Throb]

That sounds like site limitations rather than an issue with 400 kW units. The Alpitronic 400 kW units are generally very good.

 

[Wivenhoe]

If we were in the US, we'd be talking about mis-seling as they advertise 400kw so should deliver it. I think the issue is that the power provider can't supply enough power for all the charge points to deliver 400kw simultaneously. It is in the charge point companies interest to keep chargers available as soon as possible.

The government have made it difficult for them to keep costs down as they now get charged a standing charge based on the theoretical usage compared with the actual, perhaps that is playing a part too.

The latest disjointed thinking in the government is their Homes England a "non-departmental public body and housing and regeneration agency in England.". They are pushing for all new houses to have no parking space at all, with parking for 1 car per house well away from the property. That doesn't quite accord to the requirement since 2022 that "Every new-build home with a dedicated, associated parking space (like a driveway or garage within the site boundary) must include at least one EV charge point" So one part of government wants to encourage the adoption of cheap EV home charging and in the next room the "lanyard kids" want to discourage car ownership - can you imagine the friction restricted parking will cause on housing estates ?

 

[BayouTiger]

Some are shared and others are Not. Some stations will tell you if they are shared. Generally best to find a stall with no one next to you. Most non tesla sites in the US only have four or so posts, and nearly all that have two cables are shared and even if the other car is not pulling half the capacity they will limit you to 150. On most cars this is not an issue as the car would normally start at 300 or more then ramp down under 150, but I find that on Superchargers in my Sierra, they are limited to 180 but will hold that level much longer into the charge. That said they are still much slower from 20-80 so I void them. My DC charging is so rare that I really don’t even think about it. I only usually hit a Tesla on a road trip if it is at a sit down restaurant and I’m ready for a break. There are three on a route I drive frequently that are at Cracker Barrel restaurants and even have trailer pull thrus. Love those!