How to charge the electric car, the permits required, the type of charger and the maintenance of the charger itself are some of the most common questions among plug-in vehicle users.
Low Emission Zones are defined areas within a city where access to the most emitting and polluting vehicles is restricted to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars – carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) or hydrocarbons (HC) -, as established by the Ministry of Ecological Transition in its guidelines for the creation of ZBE.
The law aims to promote ecological urban mobility by introducing low-emission zones by 2023 in the 149 Spanish municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants – according to official figures from the National Institute of Statistics – in which more than 25 live. people (53% of the inhabitants of Spain).
In addition, cities with more than 20,000 inhabitants must also introduce LEZs within the same period, if their air quality is poor.
Last Sunday, Madrid’s ‘Madrid Low Emissions Zone’ (ZBE) plan went into effect, which restricts access to non-Ecolabelled passenger cars that are not located in the city, limiting access and traffic on urban public roads in the interior. of the M-30, with the exception of the M-30 itself.
Given the adoption of similar measures in the past, they have been found to encourage the purchase of hybrid or electric vehicles. In 2019, with the implementation of Madrid Central, sales of electric, hybrid and gas vehicles went from 8% to 32% of total car sales in Spain, according to data from the Spanish Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Trucks (ANFAC).
In this sense, according to data from the 2021-2022 climate survey conducted by the European Investment Bank, 78% of Spanish citizens who are willing to buy a car say they will opt for a hybrid or electric vehicle on their next purchase, but there are still many doubts and uncertainties about charging and installing charging points in the home. For this reason, Spanish startup CargaTuCoche has answered the five most frequently asked questions users have when installing an electric charger in their home:
Where is an electric vehicle charged?
It is the question most often asked by electric car buyers and in fact the lack of charging stations is the main reason why many users do not opt for this type of vehicle. Spain is last in the number of public charging points for electric vehicles, with only 245 per million inhabitants, unlike areas like the Netherlands, which top the list with 4,760 chargers per million inhabitants. This data makes it necessary to install a personal charging point if you want to use the vehicle continuously, especially if you live outside a built-up area and use the vehicle to drive into the city. In this way you are guaranteed to always have the electric car ready with your own charging point.
Can I install a charging point at my home?
Yes, whether you live in a single-family house, a semi-detached house or a flat with a parking space, you can install a charging point. For communal parking, it is not necessary to request permission from the community of owners of the building, only prior written notice to the chairman and the manager of the property. In addition, the installation of your own charging point has certain subsidies and government support, which help installation companies such as CargaTuCoche to apply for and manage, guide and advise users so that they obtain the greatest possible benefit.
How much does it cost to install a charging point?
The price for installing a charging point depends on various factors, such as the distance between your parking space and the home meter; the installer himself, the quality of the service and the materials themselves. Despite what many users think, an electric vehicle cannot be charged with a normal plug because the power, cables and charger itself are different, so having the best professionals to perform an installation is also essential to get a create optimal user experience. In this sense, installing a household charging point is an expense that can exceed 1,000 euros, bearing in mind that there are various state aids that can finance part of this cost. If an installation is offered for less than €700, the consumer must be vigilant and ensure that the information is correct and that all guarantees are met.
Which type of charger is suitable?
To know what type of charger is needed, you need to know what types of electric cars there are. There is the pure electric car, which moves by the energy stored in its batteries; the one with extended autonomy that has a thermal engine as a generator; the plug-in hybrid with a combustion engine accompanied by one or more electric motors; the hybrid which has a very limited autonomy because the batteries are small; and finally the micro-hybrid whose energy is stored in a small 48V battery.
As for the charger, there is still no universal plug or charger for electric vehicles, so it is essential to know what type of plug the vehicle needs to choose the right charger to charge the battery. There are several outlets for this type of vehicle, 90% of the models circulating in Europe have a type 2 connector for AC charging, although there are other models like the CCS Combo that allow AC charging or continuous for fast charging; and the CHAdeMO connector, the Japanese charging standard that allows this time to be shortened for greater comfort.
Another key to knowing which charger is the perfect one for a vehicle is the type of electrical installation the house has, as it can be either three-phase or single-phase. Depending on this installation, the charging time varies, which is faster in three-phase, or the price of the bill. In addition to installation, it is necessary to know whether the car can charge in three phases, since many do not. The charging speed depends on the needs of each driver and the characteristics of the vehicle. Chargers with a capacity of 7.4 kW are the most common for domestic use as the charging time is usually between 7-8 hours.
Who can I contact if I have a problem?
Many users go to independent electricians, but it is best to go to the company that installed the charge point. Most companies that install them are simply committed to their installation and not maintenance, although others’ charge points have a full warranty, both for the installation and for the charger itself. Most importantly, always contact qualified professionals who have the appropriate certifications that will allow them to handle, repair, and install these devices. Therefore, the companies that carry out these installations are usually the best choice, as their professionals are fully qualified.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
