E Hybrid Charging Questions

[Elbitrevnoc]

Having just picked up a 2022 Hybrid Cayenne, I'm still getting my head around best ways to charge etc. For home charging (which is the only place I think charging will happen) I have the plug in, original Porsche kit. That includes a portable 7.2kW charger block, although my car car only has 3.6kW onboard charger. I've charged up the car overnight without any difficulty, using standard 3-pin socket connection and I'm not too worried about time to charge as I will always do so overnight. However, if anyone can help answer the bits I'm not sure I fully understand yet I'd be very grateful!

I appreciate that I'm asking a few questions here, but if any techhie gets a spare five minutes to answer them I'd be very grateful!

1. I presume the fact that I have a 7.2kW portable, plug-in charger doesn't speed things up if the onboard charger is only3.6kW - i.e., it's the car's onboard charger that dictates charge speed?

2. The charger gives me a 50% and 100% charge option and it seemed to me that 100% was quicker and caused me no issues. However, I'm not really sure exactly what is being changed by this function?

3. If I'm happy with overnight charging, there doesn't seem much point to me in installing a dedicated charge point at home. Most of these seem to be spec'd around a minimum of 7kW and I don't think that will help if my car is limited to 3.6kW charging anyway? There does seem to a limited number of 3.6kW chargers available, but I'm not sure I see the point if a standard 3-pin outdoor socket will do the job.

4. Having said point 3 above, am I even getting 3.6kW via the granny charger if a domestic plug only outputs a max of something like 2.3kW??

Thanks!

 

[Greenman986S]

Your supplying OPC is best placed to answer these...

and if they are any good, would have talked you through those options as part of the purchase / hand over..

 

[greg_harm]

Although the Cayenne E-Hybrid comes standard with a 3.6kW onboard charger, if you want faster Charging, it’s definitely worth upgrading to a a tethered charge point for your home. Most these days allow much more than just scheduled charging and different charge modes, which can also be very beneficial when coupled to a cheaper electric tariff and also significantly reduce your charging times.

Hope this helps
Greg.

 

[gdavison]

1. I presume the fact that I have a 7.2kW portable, plug-in charger doesn't speed things up if the onboard charger is only3.6kW - i.e., it's the car's onboard charger that dictates charge speed?

You charging speed rate will be controlled by the car on board charger .. so your assumption is correct, the max charging speed will be 3.6 kW, and as the battery charges your on board charger will actually wind down the rate (the Onboard charger communicated with the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) to start, control and end charging .. above 90% charge the charging rate will be probably around 1 kW

2. The charger gives me a 50% and 100% charge option and it seemed to me that 100% was quicker and caused me no issues. However, I'm not really sure exactly what is being changed by this function?

Usually the EVSE will have a max charging rate setting (some EV's and PHEVs have rates as well).. Slower charging builds up less heat and therefore cause's less degradation of the battery. If you are not in a hurry charge slow and long. Also most Portable EVSE's run on a lower setting to protect the supply wiring .. While the UK plug is "rated as 13A", it was never deigned to continuously run at 13A . The wiring in some house's just wont do safely do it, so being able to set a lower rate at the EVSE helps protect from fires

3. If I'm happy with overnight charging, there doesn't seem much point to me in installing a dedicated charge point at home. Most of these seem to be spec'd around a minimum of 7kW and I don't think that will help if my car is limited to 3.6kW charging anyway? There does seem to a limited number of 3.6kW chargers available, but I'm not sure I see the point if a standard 3-pin outdoor socket will do the job.

You assumptions re power are all correct, however one major advantage would be you would know the EVSE is on a single spur and not a ring main, the installation would have that spur individually protected and EVSE installs now have a strict earthing requirement over and above what a 13A ring main socket would offer

4. Having said point 3 above, am I even getting 3.6kW via the granny charger if a domestic plug only outputs a max of something like 2.3kW??

See my answer to 2 above .. Portable EVSE's are usually limit to 10A to protect wiring (240VAC * 10 A = 2.4 kW)

HTH best G

 

[Elbitrevnoc]

Thanks Greg and Thanks G for all the detail - that’s really helpful. I’ve got someone coming tomorrow to talk to me about power options. At the very least I’ll be installing a dedicated socket on a protected circuit, but will also look at dedicated charge points.