— Repair · 24-hour EV line
Won't start. Won't charge. Won't budge.
Call our EV line and we'll talk you through it — most issues we sort on the phone or WhatsApp before anyone has to drive out.
Common faults
Most EV faults we fix without a call-out
Try these first — many common faults sort out without a call-out.
My EV won't unlock
Usually the key fob's button-cell battery, not the car. Try the physical key blade hidden in the fob, or hold the fob against the door handle / start button — most EVs have a backup NFC zone there. Still nothing? Send us the make and model on WhatsApp.
It won't start a charging session
Unplug, wait ten seconds, re-seat the connector firmly until it clicks. Try a different charger or socket to isolate the fault. If the car shows a charge error, photograph the dashboard message and WhatsApp it to us — most are a handshake fault we can talk you through.
There's a warning lamp on the dash
Don't panic — most EV warning lamps are advisory, not stop-driving. Photograph the exact symbol and any text. A steady amber usually means 'book a check'; a flashing red means stop safely and call us. Send the photo and we'll tell you which it is.
It's too hot or too cold to charge
EV batteries refuse to fast-charge when they're very cold or very hot to protect themselves — this is normal. Let the car precondition (many do it automatically on the way to a charger) or charge slower on AC. If it persists in mild weather, call us.
The charge port latch is stuck
The connector locks during charging and releases when the session ends — try unlocking the car first, then pull. Many EVs have a manual release cord in the boot near the port. If a public charger won't release, end the session in its app. Still stuck? Call us.
The 12V battery is flat
Yes — EVs still have a small 12V battery for the electronics, and it can go flat. Most have jump points under the bonnet for a normal booster pack. Once the 12V is live the car wakes and the main battery tops it back up. We can talk you through the jump points.
My home charger trips the DB board
Switch the charger off, reset the breaker, and try once more — a single trip is often a transient. Repeated trips mean an earth-leakage or load issue that needs an electrician, not guesswork. Don't keep resetting it. Send us your setup and we'll arrange a proper look.
There's a smell of burning
Stop. Switch off charging, unplug, and move away from the car. A burning or fishy smell from a charger, cable or socket is never normal — do not keep using it. Call us straight away on 0800-EV-HELP and we'll get someone to you.
Coverage
Where we can get to you
Full mobile response in Cape Town and Gauteng for active customers. Elsewhere we diagnose remotely and put you onto the nearest trusted partner — and we stay on the line until you're sorted.
Not an emergency?
Send us the symptom
For anything urgent right now, call 0800-EV-HELP. Otherwise tell us what's happening and we'll come back to you fast — most faults we can talk through before anyone drives out.
By city
EV repair in your city
Local EV repair and emergency help across South Africa's major metros.