2021-2023 Land Rover Defender Vehicle Charging

The new electric 2021, 2022, and 2023 Land Rover Defender comes with a standard 120-volt household power outlet for standard charging. The available 240-volt Level 2 charger will provide a full charge in about 7 hours. A DC fast charger is also available and can charge the battery up to 80 percent in just 45 minutes.

Vehicle Charging Overview

A charging cable is supplied with the vehicle. The cable should be:

  • Stored securely in the luggage compartment when not in use.
  • Used if a public charging cable is not available.

Charging Port Location

The charging ports are located as shown above.

Press the middle of the flap on the right side to gain access to the charging port. Once open, move the flap aside to gain access to the charging port.

Plugging in Land Rover Defender

For AC and DC charging:

  1. Charging flap.
  2. Charging indicator label.
  3. Charging status lights.
  4. DC Charging port cap. For DC charging only.
  5. Charging cable.
  6. Charge flap catch.

Precautions

Make sure to select the correct charging cable for the vehicle when using a public charging station. The vehicle supports both AC and DC charging providing the correct cable is used.

Make sure that the AC charging cable meets standard IEC62196-2.

To connect a charging cable to the vehicle, first prepare the vehicle, and then connect the charging cable.

To prepare the vehicle:

  1. Unlock the vehicle.
  2. Make sure Park (P) is selected.
  3. Make sure the vehicle’s ignition is switched off.
  4. Open the charging flap. If using the DC charge port, remove the cap. See CHARGING PORT LOCATION.

To connect the charging cable at home:

  1. Plug in the domestic connector to the electricity supply.
  2. Connect the charging cable to the appropriate vehicle charging port.

To connect the charging cable at a public charging facility:

  1. Connect a public charging cable to the applicable vehicle charging port socket.
  2. Follow the instructions on the charging post.

The charging cable is locked into position once connected.

The charging process starts automatically, if all conditions have been met.

When charging is complete, unplug and store the charging cable.

Some things to note:

  • A power cut may affect the vehicle’s ability to fully charge before embarking on a journey.
  • If a power cut occurs during DC charging, the charging process must be manually resumed.
  • During AC charging, if a power cut occurs, the charging process stops. Once power is restored, the AC charging process resumes automatically.

Charging Port Indicators

A label adjacent to the charging port provides a quick reference to the charging indicator LED in relation to charging status.

A charging status light next to the charging port illuminates to aid connecting the cable in dark conditions and to show the current charging status. The instrument panel also shows the charging status. Both are illuminated as follows:

A white flashing light indicates that a cable has been detected and the vehicle is attempting to start charging with an initialization process. If the flashing white light is shown for longer than 10 seconds, check connections at both ends of the cable and check for any incomplete steps at the charge post. The instrument panel flashes a white cable symbol.

A blue pulsing light indicates that the initialization process has been completed and timed charging has been set. The vehicle is not currently charging but will charge prior to the set departure time. The instrument panel flashes the clock symbol shown above. 

A green pulsing light indicates that the initialization process has been completed and the vehicle is charging. The instrument panel flashes a green cable symbol.

A continuous green light indicates that the vehicle charging is completed. The instrument panel displays a green cable symbol.

A flashing red light indicates a charging fault with the vehicle. The instrument panel displays a red charging symbol. If the charging fault persists, contact a retailer/authorised repairer.

Charging status can also be viewed via the MY EV touchscreen menu.

Unlocking The Charging Port

To unlock the charging port when the vehicle is locked:

  1. When DC charging, press the unlock button on the smart key twice. If 2-stage unlocking is active, press the unlock button 3 times to unlock the charging port. When AC charging, unlock the vehicle as normal, either using the smart key or keyless entry. 
  2. Wait for the charging port lock to release. The charge port is unlocked when the status light displays continuous white or continuous green.
  3. Remove the charging cable within 60 seconds. If the cable is not released within 60 seconds, the charging port re-locks.

Note: If the smart key’s unlock button is pressed once during DC charging, the vehicle unlocks without disrupting the charging process or unlocking the charging port.

Charging Cable Indicators

The Land Rover Defender home charging cable supplied with the vehicle contains four indicators to inform the user of its status.

Timed Charging Overview

The preferred charging period feature allows the vehicle to use a cheaper rate of electricity, based on the household tariff. When set, the vehicle attempts to charge the vehicle within the time window selected.

By setting a departure time, the timed charging feature makes sure that the vehicle is in an optimum state of charge before a journey. The timed charging feature attempts to charge the vehicle within the preferred charging time window.

Note: If it is not possible to fully charge the vehicle within the preferred charging period, charging may begin in advance. Charging outside of the preferred charging period makes sure that the vehicle is fully charged before the set departure time.

Timed Charging

To set a timed charging event, from the touchscreen’s HOME menu and select the APPS menu.

  1. From the APPS screen, select Vehicle Departures.
  2. Touch the VEHICLE DEPARTURES screen to select a date and time for departure.
  3. Tap the screen to add a new departure time.
  4. Use the up and down arrows to adjust the start time, if necessary.
  5. Select Once only to set a single event. Select Repeat every to set a repeating event.
  6. Select Charging or Charging and Timed Climate.
  7. Select OK.

The first time a timed charging event is set, the PREFERRED CHARGING PERIOD screen displays. Use the up and down arrows to select a charging period that takes advantage of the most environmental and economical charging times.

If required, the preferred charging period can be changed via the settings menu.

Disconnecting A Charging Cable

To disconnect your Land Rover Defenader charging cable:

  1. Make sure that the charging cable is unlocked from the charging port.
  2. If the charging cable is fitted with a release button, press the release button, and disconnect the charging cable from the vehicle.
  3. If DC charging, replace the DC charging port cap.
  4. Fully close the charging flap.
  5. If AC charging, remove the connector from the electricity supply.

Charging Cable Emergency Release

If the charging cable does not release, carry out the following:

  1. Pull the access panel outwards to access the emergency release ring.
  2. Pull the emergency release ring to allow the charging cable to be removed from the charge port.

Note: If the charging cable cannot be removed following operation of the emergency release, consult a retailer/authorized repairer. Do not apply force or attempt to remove any components.

Vehicle Charging Safety

Make sure to read and fully understand the following warnings and cautions before attempting to charge the vehicle. Failure to observe cautions and warnings may result in vehicle damage, injury, or death in the event of an accident.

Never disassemble, remove, or replace high voltage components, cables, or connectors. High voltage cables and connectors are colored orange for identification purposes.

Never use a charging cable if there is any damage to the unit.

Never use an extension lead or multiple socket in order to extend the reach of a charging cable.

Never connect a plug adaptor to a charging cable when traveling abroad.

Always fully unwind the charging cable. Failure to fully unwind the charging cable could lead to overheating of the cable.

Before initially connecting a charging cable, make sure the electricity supply has been checked and approved by a suitably qualified person.

Do not expose the charge cable contacts to rain, a direct jet of water, or a water splash. Do not immerse the charge cable in water.

Never attempt to pull the cable from the charging port once it is locked. Damage to the cable’s locking mechanism will result. If disconnection is required, press the unlock button on the smart key once for AC charging, twice for DC charging. The cable’s locking mechanism re-engages after a short time.

Always select the correct charging cable for the vehicle when using a public charging station, with a connector that matches the vehicle’s charging port.

Always contact a retailer/authorized repairer if the charging cable fails to release regularly.

Before attempting to perform any repairs on a vehicle, consult a retailer/authorized repairer.

Hexagon Label Ratings

The following hexagon labels are EN62196-2 regulatory labels. Each is associated to an electric power supply. The main distinction is based on the supply method, whether it is based on vehicle connectors and inlets, or on plug and socket outlets.

Black hexagon with ‘C’ inside: AC, Type 2, Vehicle connector and vehicle inlet, less than or equal to 480 V RMS.

White hexagon with ‘C’ inside: AC, Type 2, Plug socket outlet, less than or equal to 480 V RMS.

Black hexagon with ‘K’ inside: DC, FF Configuration, Vehicle connector and vehicle inlet, voltage range between 50V to 500V DC.