An MG can charge at home overnight, at a public AC charging point during the day or at a rapid charger during a long journey. The charging experience can be very different in each situation, even though the same car is being connected.
That is because charging speed is not determined by the charging point alone. The vehicle, charging equipment, electrical supply and battery conditions all play a role. Understanding those differences makes it easier to choose the right equipment and, just as importantly, to know what charging speed to expect.
The number on the charger is not the whole story
A charging point may advertise 7 kW, 11 kW, 22 kW or considerably more. Those figures describe the maximum power the charging equipment can provide, not necessarily what the MG will receive.
With AC charging, the onboard charger inside the car converts alternating current into the DC electricity required by the battery. If the car’s onboard charger is rated below the charging point’s maximum output, the vehicle will remain the limiting factor.
The MG4 is a useful example. UK specifications list a 7 kW onboard AC charger for the SE Standard Range, while the maximum DC rapid charging capability varies between versions. The 2025 specifications list up to 117 kW for the SE Standard Range and 135 kW for the Long Range, with higher figures available on some versions.
Connecting an MG4 to a 22 kW AC point therefore does not mean it will charge at 22 kW.
Where an MG charging cable fits in
For AC charging, the cable is another part of the system. MG electric vehicles with a Type 2 inlet can use a Mode 3 Type 2 charging cable with compatible wallboxes and public charging points.
This is where choosing an appropriate MG charging cable matters more than simply selecting the highest number available.
Voldt® offers Type 2 cables in both 11 kW and 22 kW versions for MG models. A 22 kW cable can still be used with a vehicle that has a lower AC charging limit. The cable does not increase the car’s onboard charging capability, but it can provide sufficient capacity for higher rated charging infrastructure and may offer more flexibility if the vehicle is changed in the future.
The important point is to consider the entire charging setup rather than the cable in isolation.
AC charging is usually about time, not maximum speed
Consider an MG parked at home overnight. If the car has several hours before the next journey, there may be little practical benefit in using the fastest available charging method. A suitable AC connection can replenish the battery while the vehicle is parked.
The same applies when an MG is left at work or at a destination for several hours. The charging session does not need to be particularly fast if there is enough time available.
This is why an 11 kW or 22 kW AC charging point can be useful even though it is considerably slower than a rapid charger. For everyday driving, charging while the car is already parked can be more relevant than achieving the highest possible charging speed.
Then there is DC charging
DC rapid charging works differently. Instead of sending AC electricity to the vehicle’s onboard charger for conversion, a DC charger supplies direct current to the vehicle’s battery system. The charging equipment handles the conversion externally, allowing substantially higher power levels.
The MG4 uses a combined Type 2 and CCS connection, with the CCS section used for DC rapid charging. Depending on the version, its maximum DC charging capability is significantly higher than its AC capability.
However, a powerful DC charger does not guarantee that the car will draw its full advertised output.
If a charging station can provide 150 kW but the MG has a lower maximum DC charging rate, the vehicle will not suddenly accept 150 kW. Battery temperature, state of charge and the vehicle’s charging curve can also affect the power delivered during a session.
Why rapid charging slows down
Maximum charging power should not be confused with the power delivered throughout an entire charging session.
As an EV battery approaches a high state of charge, the vehicle can reduce charging power to manage temperature and protect the battery. This is one reason rapid charging is often discussed in terms of charging from around 10 to 80 percent rather than from zero to 100 percent.
For an MG driver on a long journey, this can influence the most efficient charging strategy. A shorter stop at a DC charger may make more sense than waiting for the battery to reach 100 percent before continuing.
The right setup depends on how the MG is used
There is no universal charging setup that suits every MG driver. The relevant factors include the exact vehicle specification, where the car is normally parked and how often longer journeys are made.
A sensible starting point is to:
- Check the MG’s maximum AC charging capability for the exact model and specification.
- Match the Type 2 cable to the charging point and electrical supply.
- Consider whether an 11 kW or 22 kW cable suits current and future vehicles.
- Use DC rapid charging when reducing charging time during a journey is genuinely useful.
- Do not assume that a higher rated charger automatically means a higher charging speed.
The same MG can therefore charge at different speeds without anything being wrong. At home, the onboard charger and AC setup determine the rate. On a longer journey, a CCS DC charger can deliver substantially more power, subject to the vehicle’s specification and battery conditions.
The useful question is not simply, “How fast is this charger?” It is, “What can my MG actually accept here, and what equipment do I need to make proper use of it?”
That distinction makes the different charging options much easier to understand.
