Tesla Charging Update, ZS EV, Free or Not Any Official Guide?

[Alb]

At those inflated prices I could see a cottage industry for thieves breaking into later registered cars to steal the EVCC!

 

[alekssir]

I went and done the first service on the ZS EV today and asked about the Tesla update. They said it is not free and could cost 1000 if they also need to update the hardware. In the end, to my surprise, they did it for free (software update) , however the rest of the service was just a visual check and fluid top up... no other updates were done, as my MCU is still on R16 version, same version from new, and there was no mention of the other updates on the service sheet... If it aint broken, don't fix it I guess...

 

[Les burrows]

I went and done the first service on the ZS EV today and asked about the Tesla update. They said it is not free and could cost 1000 if they also need to update the hardware. In the end, to my surprise, they did it for free (software update) , however the rest of the service was just a visual check and fluid top up... no other updates were done, as my MCU is still on R16 version, same version from new, and there was no mention of the other updates on the service sheet... If it aint broken, don't fix it I guess...

Hi and thank you for your post but can you please add

Year and model of your ZS I assume it’s a mk2 face lifted vehicle plus have you tried a Tesla unit since your software update ?
Les

 

[alekssir]

Hi and thank you for your post but can you please add

Year and model of your ZS I assume it’s a mk2 face lifted vehicle plus have you tried a Tesla unit since your software update ?
Les

It is a 2023 Model ZS EV Long Range Trophy. I am yet to try a charger as I've done it yesterday and still have 90% battery, but will try within the next week and tell you the outcome.

 

[DB Go Rex]

I went and done the first service on the ZS EV today and asked about the Tesla update. They said it is not free and could cost 1000 if they also need to update the hardware. In the end, to my surprise, they did it for free (software update) , however the rest of the service was just a visual check and fluid top up... no other updates were done, as my MCU is still on R16 version, same version from new, and there was no mention of the other updates on the service sheet... If it aint broken, don't fix it I guess...

Glad you got it for free - as it should be.

But please - let's not ask for the "Tesla update". Report that it doesn't work on all CCS rapids (such as Tesla) and ask them to fix it.

Let's not normalise critical functionality as nice to have updates.

 

[Gadget Geek]

Let's not normalise critical functionality as nice to have updates.

Trouble is, that's how MG see it, and they are the ones supplying it as "an enhancement".

I think their view is, "what do you expect from a budget car? If you don't like it, buy a different car".

That's the PRC for you.

 

[fred12345]

Trouble is, that's how MG see it, and they are the ones supplying it as "an enhancement".

I think their view is, "what do you expect from a budget car? If you don't like it, buy a different car".

That's the PRC for you.

to be honest, with any of my previous cars, I never got any free updates or fixes from any of the dealers... even navigation annual update was £300 at the time and it's free with MG for 5 years ...
I think this issue is purely on dealers... few people on this forum that asked MG customer services were told to take it to a dealer for diagnostics - what else is some kid answering the phone going to say on "my car won't charge" ... my local dealer is so busy (££££££) that they would probably never dream of doing anything for free whilst there are some that will do it for free ...

 

[DB Go Rex]

to be honest, with any of my previous cars, I never got any free updates or fixes from any of the dealers... even navigation annual update was £300 at the time and it's free with MG for 5 years ...
I think this issue is purely on dealers... few people on this forum that asked MG customer services were told to take it to a dealer for diagnostics - what else is some kid answering the phone going to say on "my car won't charge" ... my local dealer is so busy (££££££) that they would probably never dream of doing anything for free whilst there are some that will do it for free ...

Updates with quality of life improvements/enhancements minor bug fixes to infotainment - yes, no issue with those being chargeable.

A fix for broken functionality of critical function - that's a warranty item.

This is broken functionality.

 

[Andrew Sinclair]

Just one anecdotal data point, to add to the thread for what it is worth.

Having read the information above I stopped at Solstice Services in the A303 this morning and plugged in the Tesla charger and it worked fine. I had confirmed previously that it was a ‘Tesla open to all’ charger, registered with the Tesla app and added my credit card details.

I have a 22 plate ZSEV standard range first registered in March 2022. It was an ex-demonstrator/sales person’s car from Howards Weston. I have had it serviced by Howards twice but never mentioned anything about the upgrades suggested in this thread at all.

I shall be using the Tesla chargers there in future as there are significantly cheaper at £0.40 per kWh than Gridserve (£0.79 per kWh) or Instavolt.

 

[nuppar]

It works okay then ?.

Had the update applied by Hemel Hempstead MG. FOC but also fixing non working V2L at the same time.

1. Tested at Tesla Supercharger Luton and could not get it to work on any of 3 different chargers until, in frustration, turned the car off (but not locked of course) before plugging in Supercharger and started charge via app. Then got back in the car, turned it on and all worked fine.

But is it normal for Tesla not to work if you plug in to a car (ZS MK2 2024) that's already turned on? Tesla app just times out with 'No vehicle found' even though MG noticed Supercharger attached and I told MG to 'Start charging'. MG responds with initialising charging but then aborts and reverts back to just showing 'Start charging' screen option.

2. V2L now also works and discharge continues with car switched off and locked as it should.

 

[fred12345]

1. Tested at Tesla Supercharger Luton and could not get it to work on any of 3 different chargers until, in frustration, turned the car off (but not locked of course) before plugging in Supercharger and started charge via app. Then got back in the car, turned it on and all worked fine.

??? great news. was it in for service and updates were a freebie on top?

looking at your experience, funny thing is that god know how many people here with "Tesla problem" could actually be fine without knowing ...

 

[Coulomb]

But is it normal for Tesla not to work if you plug in to a car (ZS MK2 2024) that's already turned on?

When you say "on" do you mean in Ready mode (foot on brake) or accessories (no foot on brake)?

If in ready mode, then the car is capable of moving (if you put it in Drive or Reverse), therefore charging of any kind is not allowed in Ready mode.

If just with accessories on, I can't think how the Tesla or any other DC charger would know, unless the MG is responding differently for reasons that are not obvious to me.

 

[alekssir]

Had the update applied by Hemel Hempstead MG. FOC but also fixing non working V2L at the same time.

1. Tested at Tesla Supercharger Luton and could not get it to work on any of 3 different chargers until, in frustration, turned the car off (but not locked of course) before plugging in Supercharger and started charge via app. Then got back in the car, turned it on and all worked fine.

But is it normal for Tesla not to work if you plug in to a car (ZS MK2 2024) that's already turned on? Tesla app just times out with 'No vehicle found' even though MG noticed Supercharger attached and I told MG to 'Start charging'. MG responds with initialising charging but then aborts and reverts back to just showing 'Start charging' screen option.

2. V2L now also works and discharge continues with car switched off and locked as it should.

Can I ask what V2L cable you use to test if the function is working or not? as I have been told by the service they could not check the V2L as they do not have a cable there to test with... I tried one off ebay which didn't work (but worked on a MG4) but do not have anyone around with an ZS and proven working cable, that I can try to see if it is actually working or not...

 

[fred12345]

Can I ask what V2L cable you use to test if the function is working or not? as I have been told by the service they could not check the V2L as they do not have a cable there to test with... I tried one off ebay which didn't work (but worked on a MG4) but do not have anyone around with an ZS and proven working cable, that I can try to see if it is actually working or not...

what year model is yours?
there is a thread somewhere, just search for V2L in ZS forum

 

[alekssir]

what year model is yours?
there is a thread somewhere, just search for V2L in ZS forum

2023 model ZS Trophy LR, Apr 2023 registration

 

[fred12345]

2023 model ZS Trophy LR, Apr 2023 registration

I bought my V2L "plug" (not a cable, just a converter) on eBay from a guy who's selling EV cables and it was for 2022 models, specifically "not-2023"... there is a whole thread on the subject, try to find it.

MG ZS missing V2L function

Hello, I recently purchased an MG ZS EV LR Trophy Connect and attempted to use the V2L function. I tried various power states for the car, ensure it had decent charge etc however it refuses to start providing power. I have ordered a different cable for testing purposes but I note that others...

www.mgevs.com

V2L cable not working on MG ZS EV (merged)

MG ZS EV 2022 Trophy Connect - 2 V2L adapters tried. One is known to work on MG4 EV. One cable has 427 ohms and the other 676 ohms Apologies for my knees One from Amazon other Ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384973561495 Does anyone have a genuine MG V2L: cable and used on an MG ZS EV? and...

www.mgevs.com

 

[Conrad3]

My 24 plate long range trophy that we got in Motability worked first time in a tesla charger open to all so possible they did all the updates before we picked it up on 27th May

 

[fred12345]

My 24 plate long range trophy that we got in Motability worked first time in a tesla charger open to all so possible they did all the updates before we picked it up on 27th May

They wouldn't update anything before delivery or first service... good news ?

 

[nuppar]

Can I ask what V2L cable you use to test if the function is working or not? as I have been told by the service they could not check the V2L as they do not have a cable there to test with... I tried one off ebay which didn't work (but worked on a MG4) but do not have anyone around with an ZS and proven working cable, that I can try to see if it is actually working or not...

Was a waterproof 5 metre 'MG Vehicle to Load V2L Discharge Cable' bought from MG Vehicle to Load V2L Discharge Cable
Not cheap at £135.99 but does work

 

[shpub]

Well, I'm one of the presumably many MG ZS EV Mark 1 owners who just learned that it will cost me over AU$500 to be able to rapid charge my EV at the most reliable charging network, Tesla's superchargers. It's also unknown what other chargers won't work with this vehicle.

I'm a retired electronics engineer, and I'm wondering what would possibly be the hardware issue. It would be really good to find some technical specifications (a schematic would be great). I can't believe that it would take more than AU$10 of parts, plus an hour of time, to update an old EVCC. The big problem is figuring out what needs changing, and one reasonable way to implement it. Another problem seems to be the vast number of variants out there.

If it can be figured out, this could be a nice little cottage industry. Anyone have any technical leads to start this?

Anything that affects the software:

Different processor family or varient, memory organisation, peripherals, QCA physical line interface, analogue filtering, the list goes on...

I think it is a complete processor/memory swap. Bear in mind that many of these chips are specials made for auto manufacturers only and are not generally available outside of this. They will also be auto environmental spec parts as well. As I said before, manufacturers were scrambling for parts during Covid and they used whatever they could. The software is typically written using Simulink/Mathlab and is largely processor agnostic. This allowed processors to be relatively easy to change. Manufacturers were forced to do this because of the chip shortage.

There is also the underlying firmware which sits under the MG firmware that has the very low level stuff including the ability to flash the MG code.

The manufacturer of the modules is a company called VMAX who make many of the modules in the car for MG. The basic modules are available of the shelf, but they may look the same externally but are not. My starting point would get some modules from a breaker, open them and see what was used. Beyond that is a lot of work and probably more than AU$500 to get it done and retain the warranty.