Getting the MG ZS EV soon- I have a few questions ready...

[JodyS21]

Hi guys,
Should be getting our MG ZS EV car (first EV) in a couple of weeks, I've got a few questions that would be great it any of you folks out there know the answers.

1.
The granny charger plug that comes with the car.
Is the standard 3pin plug that come on the end of it a normal size plug or is it physically bigger? Reason being, I want it to fit into my outside plug socket that has one of those covers that clips down over the plug so that you can safely leave it powered on in the rain.

2.
The dreaded BMS question.
My wife (a nurse) is going to use the car to drive 98 miles a day to/from hospital 3 days a week.
I'm just about comfortable with the size battery/range of this car for doing this, given losses in winter and potential battery capacity loss over a few years.
However I need the car to have the working BMS on it when I receive it, otherwise she will not be happy risking that length drive (can't charge at work).
The car we're buying was registered 26/11/2020, what software level do you guys reckon it will have come from the factory with?

3.
List of all updates/fixes/recalls:
How do I find out (or ask the dealer as they seemed a bit vague about it all) what software the car will have on it?
This is a list of all of the updates that I've tried to put together from reading all the forums (please feel free to correct any):
11/19 BMS 1 update
mid/20 comfort pack 2 update
7/20 BMS 2 update - charge whilst unlocked
8/20 High voltage fuse fix
10/20 BMS 3 update - fix long battery equalisation issue, caused reduced range issues
15/1/21 BMS 4 update - hopefully fixes everything!
?/? battery heater update for better charging in very cold conditions
? - Drivers door wiring fix for early cars.

4.
In car PHONE charging
Does it come with a wireless charging pad thing, or does one have to plug the phone in with a cable to a usb socket?
We've specifically got iPhones, so will use Apple Car Play, never used it before. Does the iPhone have to be connected with cable to work or can it use bluetooth?

5.
The KEY
I cannot figure the details of it from all my reading etc.
Is it a fob? with a hidden emergency physical inside it?
I have sneaked onto garage forecourt to look at the car (bought it without driven an EV before), it looked like there were plastic covers/caps that pop over the key lock on the door handles, so normally they aren't visable but in an emergency you could pop it off to access a physical lock?
How does the key unlock the car to gain access?
- Is it an automatic proximity thing or a press on the fob?
- If it's a proximity thing, do we know how secure it is - I know other manufacturers now, to stop people stealing cars off driveways using repeaters etc, their fobs only activate a signal if they sense movement. Is ours like this or should we be keeping our fobs in faraday pouches etc?
How does the key allow the car to start?
- Does it have to be put into a slot, or put in a certain physical location in the car, or can it just be in your pocket etc within a certain distance of the car

6.
Scheduled charging
Do we have it built into the car now or not?
I read lots of complaints about how it didn't have this functionality, but I get the impression from reading various things that following some updates this is now available in the car.
Until I get a fast charger installed, I want to be able to schedule the charge using the granny lead.


Thanks guys, I'm sure I'll be on this forum a lot over the next few years.
Jody

 

[Cocijo]

Hi, and welcome. I’ve tried to answer yiur queries below as best I can. I hope that you enjoy your new car. Hi guys,
Should be getting our MG ZS EV car (first EV) in a couple of weeks, I've got a few questions that would be great it any of you folks out there know the answers.

1.
The granny charger plug that comes with the car.
Is the standard 3pin plug that come on the end of it a normal size plug or is it physically bigger? Reason being, I want it to fit into my outside plug socket that has one of those covers that clips down over the plug so that you can safely leave it powered on in the rain.

Standard 3 pin plug
2.
The dreaded BMS question.
My wife (a nurse) is going to use the car to drive 98 miles a day to/from hospital 3 days a week.
I'm just about comfortable with the size battery/range of this car for doing this, given losses in winter and potential battery capacity loss over a few years.
However I need the car to have the working BMS on it when I receive it, otherwise she will not be happy risking that length drive (can't charge at work).
The car we're buying was registered 26/11/2020, what software level do you guys reckon it will have come from the factory with?

my friend just bought hers registered 3/12/2020 and she’s fine with range. i would suggest it should have comfort 2 (the bongs) sorted. The jury is out on BMS... in general if it shows 455v at full charge you should be ok. But, given your important needs I would over emphasise this with the dealer.

3.
List of all updates/fixes/recalls:
How do I find out (or ask the dealer as they seemed a bit vague about it all) what software the car will have on it?
This is a list of all of the updates that I've tried to put together from reading all the forums (please feel free to correct any):
11/19 BMS 1 update
mid/20 comfort pack 2 update
7/20 BMS 2 update - charge whilst unlocked
8/20 High voltage fuse fix
10/20 BMS 3 update - fix long battery equalisation issue, caused reduced range issues
15/1/21 BMS 4 update - hopefully fixes everything!
?/? battery heater update for better charging in very cold conditions
? - Drivers door wiring fix for early cars.

yep - you’ve done your homework!

4.
In car PHONE charging
Does it come with a wireless charging pad thing, or does one have to plug the phone in with a cable to a usb socket?

no wireless charging - yes usb plug in.

We've specifically got iPhones, so will use Apple Car Play, never used it before. Does the iPhone have to be connected with cable to work or can it use bluetooth?

wired connection only for carplay. bluetooth for music streaming/phone calls.

5.
The KEY
I cannot figure the details of it from all my reading etc.
Is it a fob?
yes
with a hidden emergency physical inside it?
yes
I have sneaked onto garage forecourt to look at the car (bought it without driven an EV before), it looked like there were plastic covers/caps that pop over the key lock on the door handles, so normally they aren't visable but in an emergency you could pop it off to access a physical lock?
yes
How does the key unlock the car to gain access?
- Is it an automatic proximity thing or a press on the fob?
not automatic but proximity - push button on either front doors with key present or push button on key fod

- If it's a proximity thing, do we know how secure it is - I know other manufacturers now, to stop people stealing cars off driveways using repeaters etc, their fobs only activate a signal if they sense movement. Is ours like this or should we be keeping our fobs in faraday pouches etc?
unsure - others use faraday bags
How does the key allow the car to start?
- Does it have to be put into a slot, or put in a certain physical location in the car, or can it just be in your pocket etc within a certain distance of the car
i leave mine in my pocket.

6.
Scheduled charging
Do we have it built into the car now or not?

no control from the car - it must be done via the charger - providing the car has the right software update.

I read lots of complaints about how it didn't have this functionality, but I get the impression from reading various things that following some updates this is now available in the car.

yes - this is linked to the bms update - lots on here about this.

Until I get a fast charger installed, I want to be able to schedule the charge using the granny lead.


Thanks guys, I'm sure I'll be on this forum a lot over the next few years.
Jody

 

[ARealHuman]

1.
The granny charger plug that comes with the car.
Is the standard 3pin plug that come on the end of it a normal size plug or is it physically bigger? Reason being, I want it to fit into my outside plug socket that has one of those covers that clips down over the plug so that you can safely leave it powered on in the rain.
Not used mine, but from memory it's a standard plug. Be carfeul it doesn't get too hot, there have been reports of faulty wiring in the plug itself, so best check everything's connected inside it properly.

2.
The dreaded BMS question.
My wife (a nurse) is going to use the car to drive 98 miles a day to/from hospital 3 days a week.
I'm just about comfortable with the size battery/range of this car for doing this, given losses in winter and potential battery capacity loss over a few years.
However I need the car to have the working BMS on it when I receive it, otherwise she will not be happy risking that length drive (can't charge at work).
The car we're buying was registered 26/11/2020, what software level do you guys reckon it will have come from the factory with?
There is a new BMS software release out now I think, plenty of posts on here about it. The range should be fine for a round trip of almost 100 miles, although your wife may need to be careful with using the heating as this impacts the range. Heated seats work well.

3.
List of all updates/fixes/recalls:
How do I find out (or ask the dealer as they seemed a bit vague about it all) what software the car will have on it?
This is a list of all of the updates that I've tried to put together from reading all the forums (please feel free to correct any):
11/19 BMS 1 update
mid/20 comfort pack 2 update
7/20 BMS 2 update - charge whilst unlocked
8/20 High voltage fuse fix
10/20 BMS 3 update - fix long battery equalisation issue, caused reduced range issues
15/1/21 BMS 4 update - hopefully fixes everything!
?/? battery heater update for better charging in very cold conditions
? - Drivers door wiring fix for early cars.
This gets asked all the time, I've mentioned we should have a sticky with this on here but your list seems good. Forget the battery heater thing, it seems to drop the range considerably.

4.
In car PHONE charging
Does it come with a wireless charging pad thing, or does one have to plug the phone in with a cable to a usb socket?
We've specifically got iPhones, so will use Apple Car Play, never used it before. Does the iPhone have to be connected with cable to work or can it use bluetooth?
You have ot charge with a cable. CarPlay works with a cable only.

5.
The KEY
I cannot figure the details of it from all my reading etc.
Is it a fob? with a hidden emergency physical inside it?
I have sneaked onto garage forecourt to look at the car (bought it without driven an EV before), it looked like there were plastic covers/caps that pop over the key lock on the door handles, so normally they aren't visable but in an emergency you could pop it off to access a physical lock?
How does the key unlock the car to gain access?

• Is it an automatic proximity thing or a press on the fob?
• If it's a proximity thing, do we know how secure it is - I know other manufacturers now, to stop people stealing cars off driveways using repeaters etc, their fobs only activate a signal if they sense movement. Is ours like this or should we be keeping our fobs in faraday pouches etc?

How does the key allow the car to start?
- Does it have to be put into a slot, or put in a certain physical location in the car, or can it just be in your pocket etc within a certain distance of the car
Yes, the key fob allows you to unlock the door in the old fashioned way. It's in the manual as you'll see. In normal use you simply walk up to the car with the car in your pocket, press the button on the handle to open the door and get in. You can then drive off, key can stay in your pocket.

6.
Scheduled charging
Do we have it built into the car now or not?
I read lots of complaints about how it didn't have this functionality, but I get the impression from reading various things that following some updates this is now available in the car.
Until I get a fast charger installed, I want to be able to schedule the charge using the granny lead.
I've not tried this as my electric cost is the same all the time, but I plug mine in at home and say on the ev.energy app I need it ready by such-and-such a time, and it is, so there is some sort of scheduling involved as it doesn't start charging immediately.

HTH

 

[2of3]

Forget the battery heater thing, it seems to drop the range considerably.

My impression was that the reduced range was due to the faulty BMS software (now fixed) not the battery heating update. In any case, do UK dealers routinely install the battery heating option given that in most cases the temperature doesn't drop enough for that system to work?

I would assume that no reputable dealer would deliver a car with the faulty BMS software, so you can probably rest easy on that.

 

[Cocijo]

I don’t think a MG dealer would knowingly give a customer a car with the faulty BMS software. It’s the lack of knowledge with some dealers that’s an issue I’m afraid. Some on here have experienced their new cars with this issue. I think that it is far more widely recognised now though thankfully.

 

[2of3]

I don’t think a MG dealer would knowingly give a customer a car with the faulty BMS software

I agree. My point was, actually that the faulty software was recalled as of late December of last year, so in theory it shouldn't exist in new cars. That is of course assuming that the dealership doesn't has a huge garage full of MGs that have been sitting around waiting to be bought (which were updated with faulty software in say August).

 

[mystreet]

If you are using the granny charger until you get a 'proper' one just be mindful that it will take longer to charge as it is only 3Kw. Someone on here is using their one with a TP llink smart plug for timed charging.

Hardwired granny charger

Morning all, I decided to hardwire in my granny charger due to my house being electrically looped with next door and the cable going under our garages so couldn't be done, I am happy using the granny as I only do around 30 miles each day so happy to charge every few days. What do you think ...

www.mgevs.com

 

[Cocijo]

Yes - good point. My understanding is that one of the software updates - that predominately targeted charging whilst unlocked and allowing a smart charge - was buggy and created the battery range issues. Apparently MG cannot roll back the software - only update - so some were temporarily stuck with the range issue until a better version was made avaiable. There are still quite a few cars awaiting the charge while unlocked fix - some have been holding back until they are confident it won’t affect their range

 

[Jake]

Granny charger - standard sized plug I assume as others have indicated I've but never used.

BMS and updates/recalls. - It's a new car supplied by a reputable dealer.

iPhone - USB plug in charge and CarPlay no problem.

Key fob - I've always put the key fob in my pocket and its stayed there until I get home again.

Scheduled charging - Lots of people on here to advise on that but sounds like it is more important for your use to be confident of a full charge each time your wife needs it for work so I would concentrate on that and worry about saving pennies later on.

Milton Keynes area is probably the best coverage in the country for public rapid charging so don't worry if your home charging set up isn't right from the start you will have plenty of alternatives.

I know your first EV can be quite daunting but don't worry once you have had the car a short while things will become so much easier.

Relax and enjoy the beauty of EV driving. Good luck.

 

[JodyS21]

Thanks for all the quick replies guys!

I've got a commando 32amp socket fitted outside the house we're moving to soon, so am planning on getting one of those ohme chargers that just plugs into that. Until then it sounds like I'll be able to safely use the granny charger plugged into the outside 3pin plug with the rain proof cover closed over it.
An overheating plug on the granny lead doesn't sound great, obviously it is constantly running at max load I guess - is it a moulded plug or one I can open to check the wiring?
Related to that actually - I can't figure out, does it run at 10amps or 13amps?
(I saw some trick on another manufacturers granny lead, where you can put a magnet on the plug in the right place and it ups the amps used!)
--
I'm thinking of asking the dealer to check the voltage that it's showing on the car, hopefully it'll be pretty much 455 volts and then I should be ok.

It's coming from a big MG dealer, but the sales guy on the phone when I ordered it, didn't know anything about there being a new BMS update due imminently, or that there were range issues caused by the previous update - he said that's the first he'd heard about it and he's sold loads and no one has ever come back to him saying there's a problem.....
That's what is slightly concerning me! He's supposed to be talking to their service department about it, but I've not heard back yet.
--
Thanks for confirming iPhone needs to be plugged in for CarPlay and to charge. I was contemplating getting a charging mat to put in it, but there's no point as will want CarPlay.
--
I hadn't noticed in the pictures that there was a button on the door handle, so with key fob in pocket, touch the button and magic it'll unlock - shame it doesn't open the door for you lol!
These are the things that you just don't find out without actually being allowed to touch the car and have a test drive in current climate.
--
I sounds like the scheduled charging thing/issue isn't quite how I thought it was.
I didn't realise that one of the updates was to actually ALLOW the smart chargers to schedule/work properly.
In my head I'm thinking charging is simpler than it actually sounds to be. I just assumed the "smart" charger turns on & off power to the car when it wants to (as per tariff etc esp if on octopus agile) and the car just takes charge whenever it's given power. So there's actually communication between them to manage allowing the charge and, the cars charging comms weren't working properly?
--
Do any of you worry about the way the key fob works and car being stolen thing?


Thanks loads
Jody

 

[Mark Holmes]

Thanks for all the quick replies guys!

I've got a commando 32amp socket fitted outside the house we're moving to soon, so am planning on getting one of those ohme chargers that just plugs into that. Until then it sounds like I'll be able to safely use the granny charger plugged into the outside 3pin plug with the rain proof cover closed over it.
An overheating plug on the granny lead doesn't sound great, obviously it is constantly running at max load I guess - is it a moulded plug or one I can open to check the wiring?
Related to that actually - I can't figure out, does it run at 10amps or 13amps?
(I saw some trick on another manufacturers granny lead, where you can put a magnet on the plug in the right place and it ups the amps used!)
--
I'm thinking of asking the dealer to check the voltage that it's showing on the car, hopefully it'll be pretty much 455 volts and then I should be ok.

It's coming from a big MG dealer, but the sales guy on the phone when I ordered it, didn't know anything about there being a new BMS update due imminently, or that there were range issues caused by the previous update - he said that's the first he'd heard about it and he's sold loads and no one has ever come back to him saying there's a problem.....
That's what is slightly concerning me! He's supposed to be talking to their service department about it, but I've not heard back yet.
--
Thanks for confirming iPhone needs to be plugged in for CarPlay and to charge. I was contemplating getting a charging mat to put in it, but there's no point as will want CarPlay.
--
I hadn't noticed in the pictures that there was a button on the door handle, so with key fob in pocket, touch the button and magic it'll unlock - shame it doesn't open the door for you lol!
These are the things that you just don't find out without actually being allowed to touch the car and have a test drive in current climate.
--
I sounds like the scheduled charging thing/issue isn't quite how I thought it was.
I didn't realise that one of the updates was to actually ALLOW the smart chargers to schedule/work properly.
In my head I'm thinking charging is simpler than it actually sounds to be. I just assumed the "smart" charger turns on & off power to the car when it wants to (as per tariff etc esp if on octopus agile) and the car just takes charge whenever it's given power. So there's actually communication between them to manage allowing the charge and, the cars charging comms weren't working properly?
--
Do any of you worry about the way the key fob works and car being stolen thing?


Thanks loads
Jody

Hi Jody,
Regarding the Kay’s get one of the faraday pouches

2 PACK Small Faraday Pouch For Car Keys, Car Key Signal: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Shop 2 PACK Small Faraday Pouch For Car Keys, Car Key Signal Blocking Bag For Car, RFID Key Pouch Faraday Bag for Keyless Car, . Free delivery and returns on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Lambo51]

Granny lead runs at just under 10Amps which is significant for a potential 18 hour charge so smart plugs are an added risk And not recommended . The plug overheating mentioned was down to a loose fuse in the granny chargers plug and not a common fault. Never heard of magnet on plug before but upping the ampage doesn’t sound Great

 

[JodyS21]

Granny lead runs at just under 10Amps which is significant for a potential 18 hour charge so smart plugs are an added risk And not recommended . The plug overheating mentioned was down to a loose fuse in the granny chargers plug and not a common fault. Never heard of magnet on plug before but upping the ampage doesn’t sound Great

Charging at 13/14amps using granny lead:
Charging off grid | Speak EV - Electric Car Forumswww.speakev.com › ... › Renault ZOE
Super Granny | Speak EV - Electric Car Forumswww.speakev.com › ... › Renault ZOE

 

[Iain]

Hi and welcome Jody, In case you missed it there is a downloadable PDF file of the owner’s manual available on the welcome page.
Lots to read but very handy reference which may answer some of your questions.
Regards
Iain

 

[Lovemyev]

I just assumed the "smart" charger turns on & off power to the car when it wants to (as per tariff etc esp if on octopus agile) and the car just takes charge whenever it's given power. So there's actually communication between them to manage allowing the charge and, the cars charging comms weren't working properly?

Hi Jody, and welcome .
A lot of owners are successfully carrying out delayed charging using the OHME units, via Octopus energy.
The "Buggy" BMS software affecting the ZS EV's was any updates applied after 23 Oct 2020 I believe.
That includes the "Comfort 2" update.
If your car is still set with the factory settings, I think you will be just fine !.
Most dealerships tend to only carry out software updates by customer request, or if instructed by MG via a service bulletin like the HV Fuse Protection update ( SA017 ) or unless the car has a problem of course and the software would be investigated.
I would ask if the dealer IF your car has had any updates applied at the dealership, if not I would leave well alone.
The care should already have the "Comfort 2" update done, if so - who applied it, factory or dealer ?.
I think only the early batch of cars required the wiring harness replaced.
My car arrived at the dealer just before Xmas 2019 - so it WAS affected by the recall.
I don't think your car will be affected by it though.
Enjoy your electric journey !.

 

[Mark Holmes]

Had my car since March 20, done over 14000 miles, Comfort 2 update made a massive difference, but I’ve not had any other updates yet, door wiring loom was done before I collected mine and the car has been great, loving my first introduction in to the EV world.

 

[Lambo51]

Interesting read on magnets although Why would you want to be pull 14amps on a 13a socket

 

[Richie]

We bought the ZS ev late September 2020, had Comfort 2 and BMS updates November 12th. Did not charge unlocked so went back December 1st then all good.
We charge on a timed setting on our EO Mini Pro 2 no problems and is an excellent charger. Initially we had a problem with our WIFI which was a bit weak to reach the garages across the drive, we added an amplifier/extender so now it's all good.
The ZS ev is going back early February for the updated BMS as the volts are about 440.

 

[Gomev]

@JodyS21 re Point 6 - 'Until I get a fast charger installed, I want to be able to schedule the charge using the granny lead.

If you are doing 100 miles in a day you might want to leave it plugged in all or most of the night charging, as you don't get too many miles per hour (someone will tell you how many but I don't know ).

EDIT: Have just looked it up on the MG website and it says' A typical 3 pin plug can supply up to 8 miles of range per hour, leaving you with a longer wait to charge fully'.

 

[Lovemyev]

@JodyS21 re Point 6 - 'Until I get a fast charger installed, I want to be able to schedule the charge using the granny lead.

If you are doing 100 miles in a day you might want to leave it plugged in all or most of the night charging, as you don't get too many miles per hour (someone will tell you how many but I don't know ).

EDIT: Have just looked it up on the MG website and it says' A typical 3 pin plug can supply up to 8 miles of range per hour, leaving you with a longer wait to charge fully'.

A 7kw wall box will put roughly 25 miles of range into the car for every hour it is on charge, so you are looking at around 6 hours from almost empty to full.
On a “Granny” you can pretty much double that figure to 12 hours.
You will need to factor this into your usage pattern of course.
This is one reason why a wall box makes perfect sense, less wait time just for one.
Another option is to jump onto a rapid for about 30 mins and then finish on the “Granny” at home ?.
A wall box at home is the best option all round really.