MG ZS incompatible with Tesla Superchargers for ‘safety reasons’

[luketeacup]

So last week I tried charging at Tesla’s Supercharger station in Lifton, en route for Cornwall. Despite trying two different chargers, neither worked. The chargers were all fully functioning.
Contacted MG customer services who denied there is a compatibility issue; called Tesla however who informed me that MG ZSs were incompatible for ‘safety’ reasons. I asked the guy if he’d googled this and he said, no, it’s an internal memo.
I put this back to MG who deny that it’s true.
No idea who to believe! Any other experience of this or intel? Thx

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

It's long been known that ZS & MG5 have difficulty talking to Tesla superchargers.
Tesla don't care, and MG are unwilling to fix it as both cars are due for a refresh, probably using the Tesla-compatible MG4 drivetrain.

 

[Rolfe]

I've moved this thread to the ZS forum, but there are (I think) two threads about it in Community Chat too.

 

[scoobeesnac]

After 'the' software update I've had no issues charging at Tesla chargers - last week travelled across the UK and next week travelling across Europe with a Tesla membership. These are the latest v4 charger AFAIK with screen and longer cable.

 

[fred12345]

next week travelling across Europe with a Tesla membership.

let us know how it goes with Tesla in Europe and chargers generally ?

 

[shpub]

It's long been known that ZS & MG5 have difficulty talking to Tesla superchargers.
Tesla don't care, and MG are unwilling to fix it as both cars are due for a refresh, probably using the Tesla-compatible MG4 drivetrain.

I documented the whole saga for the MG5 (started in 2021) here in 4 FAQs: MG5 Supercharger problems: FAQ 1 - Timeline of events

 

[Andrew Sinclair]

I have used the Teslas at Solstice Services successfully several times.

 

[Coulomb]

the Teslas at Solstice Services

Superchargers or destination chargers?

I.e. DC or AC?

 

[ebuzzz]

Finally had a 90kW charge today with the local supercharger. All three locations in The Netherlands I've used in the last few weeks worked perfectly fine.

 

[DB Go Rex]

So last week I tried charging at Tesla’s Supercharger station in Lifton, en route for Cornwall. Despite trying two different chargers, neither worked. The chargers were all fully functioning.
Contacted MG customer services who denied there is a compatibility issue; called Tesla however who informed me that MG ZSs were incompatible for ‘safety’ reasons. I asked the guy if he’d googled this and he said, no, it’s an internal memo.
I put this back to MG who deny that it’s true.
No idea who to believe! Any other experience of this or intel? Thx

These companies need to employ intelligent life in customer services. Neither response from either company was correct.

The facts are:

1. Your car may need the fix/patch to make it work with Tesla chargers. MG are aware of this. Take your car to the dealer and and ask them to fix it under warranty.

2. Tesla have not blocked MG cars. Tesla should know that, but some MGs need fixes.

 

[Gadget Geek]

Take your car to the dealer and and ask them to fix it under warranty.

The fix is supplied free by MG. However, you have to pay for the technician's time for installing it. This is MG's reply to my email:

customer.service@mg.co.uk

Good afternoon,

To confirm, the MG dealerships can charge for a software update as this is an enhancement.

The update is free however, you will be paying for the technician’s time to carry out the update since they must be with the vehicle throughout the update process.

Please note that you are still able to fast charge without the Tesla network.

I hope this has answered your queries, but if you do need any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

 

[DB Go Rex]

The fix is supplied free by MG. However, you have to pay for the technician's time for installing it. This is MG's reply to my email:

customer.service@mg.co.uk

Good afternoon,

To confirm, the MG dealerships can charge for a software update as this is an enhancement.

The update is free however, you will be paying for the technician’s time to carry out the update since they must be with the vehicle throughout the update process.

Please note that you are still able to fast charge without the Tesla network.

I hope this has answered your queries, but if you do need any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Yes aware of that from previous threads, but there are those of us that have had it done for free, so no harm in asking and claiming ignorance, particularly as MG should be covering it anyway.

 

[BruceT]

Yes aware of that from previous threads, but there are those of us that have had it done for free, so no harm in asking and claiming ignorance, particularly as MG should be covering it anyway.

Yep, got mine free.

To the OP. since having had the 'fix' I've never had a problem with any 'open' Tesla supercharger, I have used 5 different locations, both V3 and V4 without issue, normally at between 70 and 75 Kw

 

[alekssir]

Yep, got mine free.

To the OP. since having had the 'fix' I've never had a problem with any 'open' Tesla supercharger, I have used 5 different locations, both V3 and V4 without issue, normally at between 70 and 75 Kw

Had mine done ( the update) at the first sevice in June. Went to Tesla Supercharger ( open to all one) and got the " Unauthorised Vehicle " message on 3 different terminals. Contacted MG Service that done the update, and they say as far as they can tell, the update was.done correctly on my car and that I should contact MG Customer Service directly and see whete the problem is... who to blame now?

 

[BruceT]

who to blame now?

As long as you did everything correctly when trying to charge at the Tesla supercharger, it HAS to be MG, or YOUR car. Honestly, I can't remember what it said when I tried to charge before the mod was done. Where did you try to charge? Was it V3 or V4? I have heard of it not working on some chargers.

 

[T16ger]

I give up on MG. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. I supposedly had the update done but still no joy at Flint Mountain tesla station. Still battling to get the V2L enabled, but have now found someone from a different showroom to contact my local dealer with the details they need to get it sorted (hopefully). MG just want to pass the buck. Counting down the months until my lease is up and I hand it back.

 

[BruceT]

I give up on MG. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. I supposedly had the update done but still no joy at Flint Mountain tesla station. Still battling to get the V2L enabled, but have now found someone from a different showroom to contact my local dealer with the details they need to get it sorted (hopefully). MG just want to pass the buck. Counting down the months until my lease is up and I hand it back.

I feel for you, it's so frustrating, I think I happen to have a good dealership, Holden, or maybe just a good garage.
This isn't going to be any comfort but I was at Flint last week, going to Caernaforn and did work for me. Just for your info

 

[unmaskedAvenger]

Had mine done ( the update) at the first sevice in June. Went to Tesla Supercharger ( open to all one) and got the " Unauthorised Vehicle " message on 3 different terminals. Contacted MG Service that done the update, and they say as far as they can tell, the update was.done correctly on my car and that I should contact MG Customer Service directly and see whete the problem is... who to blame now?

I’m in exactly the same situation. Before update the open to all supercharger at Havant (V3) wouldn’t recognise the car. Post update I get the “unauthorised vehicle” message. Dealership claims to have installed update correctly and apparently mg only keep sending them the update again when they report my problem.

 

[T16ger]

I feel for you, it's so frustrating, I think I happen to have a good dealership, Holden, or maybe just a good garage.
This isn't going to be any comfort but I was at Flint last week, going to Caernaforn and did work for me. Just for your info

It's actually good to know that Flint does work. The next closest is Trafford Park! I'm based in Chester and my mum lives in Sychdyn so that's the place to test it for me.

 

[alekssir]

As long as you did everything correctly when trying to charge at the Tesla supercharger, it HAS to be MG, or YOUR car. Honestly, I can't remember what it said when I tried to charge before the mod was done. Where did you try to charge? Was it V3 or V4? I have heard of it not working on some chargers.

Mine one was Superchargers in Romford London. I give up on them... waste of time ...