Battery-saving fast charging

[tigerbalm]

What's the current thinking on the "Battery-saving fast charging" option?

I'll be picking up my second Taycan in early January – and its likely to be one that I keep for a while. I'm contemplating activating this option from Day 1. But I am also wondering aloud if it really makes any difference to battery life? Especially since the recent software update Porsche seems to be comfortable with fast charging more aggressively.

Is this option snake-oil ?

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[Bognar67]

It reduces the maximum charging speed to 200kW out of 270kW. Useful when the charging stop needs to be extended a bit with whatever reason.
Saves the battery life for sure since the charging is slower battery better, but nobody knows exact numbers.
It is a little bit confusing use or not, for sure.
I will use it when the very fast charging is not necessary on my road trips. - And the charger counts by kWh not per minute.

 

[W1NGE]

What's the current thinking on the "Battery-saving fast charging"?

I'll be picking up my second Taycan in early January – and its likely to be one that I keep for a while. I'm contemplating activating this option from Day 1. But I am also wondering aloud if it really makes any difference to battery life? Especially since the recent software update Porsche seems to be comfortable with fast charging more aggressively.

Is this option snake-oil ?

Hard to tell really.

Still listed in PGTK but not clear on what throttle level is applied - I think @Bognar67 is correct and that it limits to around 200kW but I also thought it was a bit lower than than.

In my experience (very few ultra fast charges) I've never had anything close to 200kW never mind 270kW and so the the option would never have kicked in for me.

Like all these things it probably safer to use the option now an then and especially if using daily.

Warranty is still your friend and I'm pretty sure there isn't the caveat of not having used the saving feature would limit a claim.

 

[Bognar67]

Robert Meier, project manager Taycan:
‘Battery-saving charging’ function will also be introduced in the existing vehicles, where the DC charging power can be reduced from 270 to 200 kW. According to Meier, Porsche has no doubts about the service life with frequent fast charging. “This does not in any way limit the warranty or guarantee of the battery. We are very sure that it fits,” says Maier and explains: “We have very conscious customers who have asked for this function. Those who don’t just want to have an espresso when they take a break from charging can also activate this function.”

Some more -maybe useful- information on the subject:
https://www.electrive.com/2021/03/23/porsche-updates-taycan-charging-function-software/

 

[W1NGE]

Robert Meier, project manager Taycan:
‘Battery-saving charging’ function will also be introduced in the existing vehicles, where the DC charging power can be reduced from 270 to 200 kW. According to Meier, Porsche has no doubts about the service life with frequent fast charging. “This does not in any way limit the warranty or guarantee of the battery. We are very sure that it fits,” says Maier and explains: “We have very conscious customers who have asked for this function. Those who don’t just want to have an espresso when they take a break from charging can also activate this function.”

Some more -maybe useful- information on the subject:
https://www.electrive.com/2021/03/23/porsche-updates-taycan-charging-function-software/

Thx

I'd love to know which "customers" asked for this functionality!

In true Porsche spirit I don't think they consult with anyone on anything otherwise the software feature set would be more what we wanted and not what we have been given!

 

[Scandinavian]

What's the current thinking on the "Battery-saving fast charging"?

I'll be picking up my second Taycan in early January – and its likely to be one that I keep for a while. I'm contemplating activating this option from Day 1. But I am also wondering aloud if it really makes any difference to battery life? Especially since the recent software update Porsche seems to be comfortable with fast charging more aggressively.

Is this option snake-oil ?

What long term effect that will have on battery life, only Porsche knows. Since it does not impact warranty it might be small differences. But theoretically it makes sense not to stress the battery when charging.

In my experience in last 9000 km trip, the time difference between 270 kW max or 200 kW max is hardly noticeable. It is still very fast. The difference might be 2-3 minutes from 20 to 80%. But I have not recorded the sessions, just gut feeling.

I did notice that after the uPdate the charging curve seemed flatter, I.e. there seemed to be a higher kW at around 50 -70 SoC? But not properly recorded before and after.

 

[Bognar67]

Thx

I'd love to know which "customers" asked for this functionality!

In true Porsche spirit I don't think they consult with anyone on anything otherwise the software feature set would be more what we wanted and not what we have been given!

Yes, this part is a business as usual marketing BS for sure. Just ignore it and focus on the technical/practical content. -This is my way.

 

[Bognar67]

What long term effect that will have on battery life, only Porsche knows. Since it does not impact warranty it might be small differences. But theoretically it makes sense not to stress the battery when charging.

In my experience in last 9000 km trip, the time difference between 270 kW max or 200 kW max is hardly noticeable. It is still very fast. The difference might be 2-3 minutes from 20 to 80%. But I have not recorded the sessions, just gut feeling.

I did notice that after the uPdate the charging curve seemed flatter, I.e. there seemed to be a higher kW at around 50 -70 SoC? But not properly recorded before and after.

On my road trips via Austria I use Smatrics. It is up to 350kWh/800V but counting per minute. Locations are excellent, mostly at OMV gas stations directly on the highway. 10-80% is ca. EUR0,4/kWh without battery saving, with ca. EUR0,7. Both cheaper than Ionity EUR0,79 but still a difference.
Note: My car has NO Porsche Charging Card as all the cars that have been bought in Mid-Europe countries. They promise it each QY without success. No compensation of course=Porsche way. With the card (Western) EU owners receive ca. 50% price on Ionity for 3 years.

 

[tigerbalm]

This chart is a little old – but I believe its still accurate.

You can continue to get the discounts after 3 years by paying the annual fee – I certainly intend to do so. I notice an entry here for Hungary – even if you don't get a free period – are you able to pay the subscription and receive the charging card ?

 

[Manyana]

On my road trips via Austria I use Smatrics. It is up to 350kWh/800V but counting per minute. Locations are excellent, mostly at OMV gas stations directly on the highway. 10-80% is ca. EUR0,4/kWh without battery saving, with ca. EUR0,7. Both cheaper than Ionity EUR0,79 but still a difference.
Note: My car has NO Porsche Charging Card as all the cars that have been bought in Mid-Europe countries. They promise it each QY without success. No compensation of course=Porsche way. With the card (Western) EU owners receive ca. 50% price on Ionity for 3 years.

Charging is free in Australia using the Chargefox network, for three years.

 

[cityhpper]

In my experience in last 9000 km trip, the time difference between 270 kW max or 200 kW max is hardly noticeable. It is still very fast.

At about 17 00 km's, this is my experience as well. For longer (family) trips, the car usually waits for us - not the other way around. Hence I keep the 200 kW option enabled more or less all the time. The electronics-engineer part of me is also a bit more at ease, though I have no reason to distrust Porsche on their claims about max-capacity charging.

 

[Bognar67]

This chart is a little old – but I believe its still accurate.

You can continue to get the discounts after 3 years by paying the annual fee – I certainly intend to do so. I notice an entry here for Hungary – even if you don't get a free period – are you able to pay the subscription and receive the charging card ?

Thx. Unfortunately not. Only thing that I can do is to buy ‘IONITY Passport’ directly from Ionity. But useless for me (with the basic annual fee) since I do not do road trips as much.
Actually Porsche Centrum Budapest hired a person exclusively working on the subject of the Charging Card almost a year ago without success.
Anyway I am happy with Smatrics especially with the locations. -but would be really happy to get the 3-year-long half price on Ionity network with Porsche Charging Card.

Additionally with the very fast charging ability of Taycan brings me EUR0,35-0,4/kWh on Smatrics without a basic fee, only registration. That is equal to IONITY with Porsche Card.

 

[Scandinavian]

On my road trips via Austria I use Smatrics. It is up to 350kWh/800V but counting per minute. Locations are excellent, mostly at OMV gas stations directly on the highway. 10-80% is ca. EUR0,4/kWh without battery saving, with ca. EUR0,7. Both cheaper than Ionity EUR0,79 but still a difference.
Note: My car has NO Porsche Charging Card as all the cars that have been bought in Mid-Europe countries. They promise it each QY without success. No compensation of course=Porsche way. With the card (Western) EU owners receive ca. 50% price on Ionity for 3 years.

Your experience at Smatrics, would mean you spent 75% more time with battery saving than without? Assuming there is no penalty for longer charging times.

It would mean that the charging curve would be significantly different in your two cases? Interesting observation and something I will look out gor next time.

Interesting pricing model to have it time based, especially if the charge rate would be less than expected. Say you should be able to get 250 kW but the station only delivers 100 kW. The you loose out?

I saw that the Porsche Charging Service was not active in a few countries in Europ yet, Poland, Hungary amongst them. Hope that will be sorted out soon.

 

[Bognar67]

Charging is free in Australia using the Chargefox network, for three years.

Would be happy to live there. Not for the free charge…

 

[Scandinavian]

This chart is a little old – but I believe its still accurate.



You can continue to get the discounts after 3 years by paying the annual fee – I certainly intend to do so. I notice an entry here for Hungary – even if you don't get a free period – are you able to pay the subscription and receive the charging card ?

Here is a link to the latest update Oct 22. It seems there is a different entry for Hungary now. SOON!

https://connect-store2.porsche.com/...jViMjRhYmY3ZjgyYTcwMjdjYzhlNWE2NDgwMGZiM2Q2Nw

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