Tag Archives: Charging

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BYD Turns EV Charging Into a Pit Stop

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There was a time—not that long ago—when a 150-kW fast charger felt like the future. Then came 350 kW, and suddenly “coffee break charging” became the industry’s favorite buzz phrase. Now, BYD has effectively drop-kicked that entire narrative into irrelevance.

The Chinese giant has confirmed that its next-generation charging tech is headed to Europe, and it’s not arriving quietly. Over the next 12 months, BYD plans to deploy 6,000 fast chargers outside China, half of them planted firmly across the European map. That’s ambitious. What’s borderline absurd is the hardware itself.

We’re talking about chargers capable of delivering up to 1,500 kW. Yes, kilowatts—not a typo, not a rounding error. That’s more than four times the output of today’s quickest widely available public chargers. If current infrastructure made EV ownership convenient, BYD’s “Flash” network threatens to make it almost trivial.

And here’s the kicker: it’s not a walled garden. Unlike some charging ecosystems that feel like exclusive clubs, BYD is opting for inclusivity. The chargers will use CCS2 connectors, meaning they’ll play nice with most European EVs. Denza-branded chargers will appear at dealerships selling Denza models, while public installations will carry the Flash name. Behind the scenes, BYD plans to partner with existing charging providers rather than reinvent the wheel—or the grid.

Of course, headline numbers are only half the story. BYD claims its latest battery tech can take a compatible car from 10 to 70 percent in just five minutes, and to a near-full 97 percent in nine. That’s not charging—that’s a pit stop. It fundamentally reshapes how you think about long-distance EV travel. Range anxiety doesn’t disappear; it just becomes irrelevant.

The first beneficiaries of this high-voltage bravado will be the Denza lineup, including the theatrical Denza Z9GT. A three-motor, all-electric shooting brake packing a 123-kWh battery and enough punch to hit 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds, it reads like a spec-sheet fever dream. But it’s also a statement: performance and convenience no longer need to live in separate conversations.

Then there’s the curveball—the Denza D9 DM-i. A plug-in hybrid minivan probably isn’t what you picture when someone says “charging revolution,” but here it is, quietly rewriting expectations. Its 58.5-kWh battery can gulp down up to 559 kW, enabling the same five-minute 10–70 percent charge window. In a seven-seat MPV with 209 km of electric range and a total reach of 950 km, that’s not just impressive—it’s practical. Especially when some rival plug-in hybrids still treat DC fast charging like an optional personality trait.

Naturally, BYD isn’t alone in this arms race. Geely has already hinted that its own next-gen chargers and “Golden Brick” battery tech could push speeds even further. Because of course they could—this is 2026, and escalation is the only constant.

Not everyone is convinced, though. Over in Munich, BMW is playing the role of cautious realist. Markus Fallböhmer, the company’s head of battery production, has openly questioned whether chasing extreme charging speeds comes at a cost. Push one metric to the limit, he argues, and something else—longevity, reliability—inevitably gives way.

It’s a fair point. Physics, after all, doesn’t do hype.

Still, if BYD can deliver even a fraction of what it’s promising—consistently, reliably, and at scale—it won’t just be raising the bar. It’ll be moving it so far ahead that the rest of the industry will have no choice but to sprint just to stay in frame.

Source: BYD

News

Mercedes EQB Recall: Don’t Fully Charge Your EV

If you’re the type of Mercedes EV driver who already checks the range estimate more often than your bank balance, we’ve got news that won’t help your blood pressure. Mercedes-Benz is advising owners of certain EQB electric SUVs to cap charging at 80 percent—not to preserve battery health, not to optimize efficiency, but because charging to 100 percent could, in engineering terms, trigger a “thermal event.”

In plain English: the battery could short-circuit and catch fire. And unlike a check-engine light or a rattling trim panel, battery fires tend to command your full attention—and the local fire department’s.

The good news, such as it is, is that this recall affects a vanishingly small slice of Mercedes’ EV fleet. Just 169 vehicles are involved, including 100 EQB 300 4Matic models, 48 EQB 350 4Matics, and 21 single-motor EQB 250s. That’s barely enough cars to fill a Costco parking lot, though that’s cold comfort if yours happens to be one of them.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because Mercedes has been here before. Earlier in 2025, the company recalled more than 7,000 EQBs in the U.S. for—you guessed it—fire risk, issuing the same temporary advice to keep charging below 80 percent until a software update could be applied. Déjà vu, now with fewer vehicles.

According to Mercedes, the newly recalled cars are “early-stage” 2022–2023 model-year EQBs. Later vehicles supposedly received more robust battery hardware, sparing them from this particular drama. For the affected cars, the company says drivers will likely get warning messages if things start getting spicy under the floorpan while driving. Unfortunately, a parked EQB could still ignite without so much as a polite heads-up.

Naturally, you might assume Mercedes would replace the suspect batteries with improved units. Naturally, you’d be wrong. The fix is—again—a software update, scheduled to roll out via dealerships in early 2026. Until then, owners are stuck playing battery-management limbo.

That’s especially painful given the EQB’s already modest range. The dual-motor EQB 350 carries an EPA rating of just 227 miles on a full charge. Knock that down to 80 percent and you’re looking at roughly 180 miles. Add a sensible buffer at the bottom end of the gauge and real-world usable range could shrink to around 150 miles.

That’s enough to visit relatives across town, but probably not across the state—unless you enjoy spending quality time at freeway charging stations, contemplating life choices and scrolling through apps that insist your charger will be available “any minute now.”

For now, Mercedes EQB owners affected by the recall can take solace in two things: first, the odds of being impacted are low; and second, Mercedes insists the fix is coming. Eventually. In the meantime, charge cautiously, park thoughtfully, and maybe keep the holiday travel plans local.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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A No-Nonsense Guide to Tesla Power for MINI EV Owners

For years, “MINI access to Tesla Superchargers” lived in the same vague future tense as affordable carbon fiber and empty freeway on-ramps. Now it’s finally real—at least for U.S. owners with the right car, the right software, and the right expectations. The good news? MINI didn’t bolt this onto the side of the ownership experience with a half-baked workaround. Instead, it folded Tesla Supercharging into its existing charging ecosystem in a way that’s surprisingly clean—and very on brand.

Here’s how it actually works, what you need, and where people tend to mess it up.

First Things First: Compatibility Is Not Optional

Before you even think about adapters or apps, confirm your MINI is eligible. MINI’s rules here are strict, and there’s no bending them:

  • MINI Countryman SE ALL4: Compatible with NACS Partner Tesla Superchargers
  • MINI SE Hardtop (electric): Limited to Magic Dock–equipped Tesla Superchargers
  • MINI PHEVs: Not compatible at all

That matters because Tesla’s Supercharger network isn’t one monolithic thing. There are three types of sites out there:

  1. NACS Superchargers – Tesla’s standard connector; CCS-equipped MINIs need an approved adapter
  2. Magic Dock Superchargers – Built-in CCS hardware; no adapter required
  3. Tesla-only Superchargers – Off-limits, full stop

There’s an easy sanity check: if a Supercharger doesn’t show up in your MINI app or in-car navigation, assume it’s Tesla-only for your vehicle. MINI’s map is effectively your compatibility bouncer.

The Adapter Question (and Why MINI Cares)

If you’re driving a Countryman SE ALL4 with a CCS port, NACS stations are accessible—but only with an approved adapter. MINI has officially signed off on the Lectron Vortex Plus NACS-to-CCS DC adapter, and that approval matters. High-power DC charging isn’t the place for mystery hardware bought on impulse.

Think of it this way: any adapter might fit, but only one has MINI’s blessing when 130 kilowatts are on the line.

The Short Checklist That Saves Long Headaches

Before Tesla stations magically appear in your navigation, you’ll need:

  • A compatible MINI (Countryman SE for NACS Partner access; SE Hardtop for Magic Dock only)
  • NACS RSU software version 25-11-530
  • The approved Lectron Vortex Plus adapter (Countryman SE with CCS)
  • The MINI App set up with Shell Recharge for billing and history

MINI says the NACS RSU rollout begins December 1, but even after that date, it can take a few days to hit your car. If Tesla stations aren’t showing up yet, this update—or its absence—is usually why.

The Step Everyone Misses in the MINI App

This is the quiet gatekeeper to the whole experience.

In the MINI App, go to:
Charging → Adapters → Add Adapter → Select “NACS (DC)”

Once enabled, NACS-compatible stations will appear in search results and route planning. Stations that require an adapter will be clearly marked, and you can filter by connector type. Skip this step, and the system will pretend those Superchargers don’t exist.

Plugging In: It’s Simple, but Precision Matters

At a compatible NACS Supercharger, the physical process is straightforward:

  1. Remove the cable from the charger and firmly attach the adapter—press until it fully engages
  2. Plug the cable-and-adapter assembly into your MINI
  3. Watch the charge indicator:
    • Orange: Waiting for initialization
    • Charging may take up to a minute to start
    • Flashing blue: Charging in progress

Disconnecting has a specific order, and MINI wants it followed:

  1. Stop charging in the app or using the button near the charge port
  2. Press the upper release button and remove the cable and adapter together
  3. Press the lower release button to separate the adapter from the cable

If your MINI supports Plug & Charge, charging should begin automatically when you plug in. If it doesn’t, start the session manually in the MINI App. Still nothing? Try another stall—sometimes the problem isn’t your car.

It’s Bigger Than Tesla

This move isn’t just about Superchargers. NACS is becoming the North American default, and networks like IONNA, EVgo, and ChargePoint are rolling out NACS connectors too. For Countryman SE models with CCS ports, the approved adapter becomes a universal passport to this expanding ecosystem—not just Tesla sites.

Speed, Pricing, and the Reality Check

Yes, Tesla Superchargers advertise up to 250 kW, but your MINI decides what it actually pulls. Charging speed depends on battery state of charge, temperature, and conditions. The 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 tops out at 130 kW, which is still solid for road trips, just not headline-grabbing.

Pricing follows Tesla’s standard model—no separate Tesla membership required. Everything runs through your Shell Recharge account in the MINI App, where you’ll also find charge history. Rates vary by location, time, and demand.

One thing to watch: Tesla congestion fees. If a site is more than 90 percent occupied and your MINI is over 80 percent state of charge, Tesla may apply a per-minute fee once you exceed that threshold. You get a five-minute grace period to unplug and move on. Translation: don’t camp at 92 percent.

When Things Don’t Work (and They Sometimes Won’t)

Most failures come down to initiation or connection. MINI’s advice is refreshingly practical:

  • Reseat the adapter until you hear it click
  • Listen for the locking sound when plugging into the car
  • Keep connectors clean and undamaged
  • If it still fails, move to another stall

If all else fails, MINI customer support is available at 1-800-831-1117.

MINI’s Supercharger integration isn’t flashy, but it’s smart. No extra memberships, no awkward workarounds—just Tesla’s network folded into MINI’s existing charging system. Do the setup correctly, bring the right adapter, and understand your car’s limits, and this finally turns Tesla’s biggest advantage into a practical one for MINI EV owners.

Not revolutionary. Just well executed. And sometimes, that’s better.

Source: Mini