Frequently Asked Questions

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An electric charging station is a station that allows you to charge your electric vehicle (EV) at home. It provides a safe and efficient way to power your EV. When choosing a charging station, we advise considering the type of vehicle you have and your specific charging needs. Our specialists can help you select the right charging station and ensure professional installation at your home.

Choose a charging station based on your vehicle type, the capacity of your electrical connection, and your charging needs. Our Charge Wizard is a handy tool that helps you make the best choice by mapping out your situation and preferences. Our team is ready to advise you and handle the installation of the charging station, ensuring you have an optimal solution.

The cost of installing a charging station varies depending on the type of charging station, the complexity of the installation, and any necessary upgrades to your electrical system. On average, costs range from €500 to €1500. We offer a full service that includes not only the hardware but also the installation and project management. For an accurate quote, you can contact us.

A powerful charging station (11 kW or higher) often requires a three-phase connection. It is important to have your current capacity checked by an electrician. We can advise you on the necessary adjustments and ensure your meter box is suitable for the charging station. For a network upgrade, you can contact your grid operator, and we are happy to help with the preparations.

AC (alternating current) charging is common for home use and is slower than DC (direct current) fast charging, which is usually available at public locations and charges faster. Home charging with AC is sufficient for daily use, allowing you to fully charge your vehicle overnight. We offer various AC charging stations suitable for home use that we can install for you, ensuring you always have a full battery.

Charging time depends on the power of the charging station and the capacity of the battery. A typical home charger (7.4 kW) can fully charge an EV in 6-8 hours. Our Charge Wizard helps you choose the right charging station to optimize your charging time.

Load balancing, or dynamic load management, ensures that the available power is optimally distributed between your electric car and other electrical appliances in your home. This prevents overloading your electrical connection and allows you to charge your car without turning off other devices or risking a power outage.

Why Load Balancing?

• Safety: Load balancing protects your electrical installation from overloading. This is especially important if you use multiple large energy consumers simultaneously.
• Efficiency: Load balancing allows you to use maximum power without exceeding the limits of your connection. This means more efficient use of your available energy.
• Cost savings: By preventing overloading, you may save on additional costs for repairs or upgrades to your electrical installation.
• Future-proofing: It helps manage future expansions, such as additional electric cars or other devices, without immediately requiring a network upgrade.

Choosing for/not Load Balancing:

• With Load Balancing: If you want a dynamic and safe solution that prevents your installation from overloading, load balancing is the best choice. This is especially recommended if you have multiple energy-intensive devices or if your current connection is limited.
• Without Load Balancing: You might consider not choosing load balancing if you are sure that your connection has enough capacity for both charging your car and using other devices, or if you are willing to manage when devices are used manually.

Advice:

• Given the benefits and protection that load balancing offers, it is usually wise to choose this option. Our system recommends it as the most safe and efficient way to manage your charging needs without the risk of overloading.
• If you still have doubts, we recommend contacting us so we can assess your specific situation.

Summary: Load balancing is strongly recommended to ensure the safety and efficiency of your electrical connection. It offers a flexible and future-proof solution for charging your electric vehicle.

Whether you need a network upgrade depends on your current energy needs and the capacity of your existing electrical connection. Here are some important considerations and advice:

1. Current Electrical Connection: Check the capacity of your current electrical connection. For a standard home, this is usually 1x35A or 3x25A. Charging an electric car can place significant additional load on your network, especially if you also have other large consumers like a heat pump, electric boiler, or solar panels.
2. Power of the Charging Station: The type and power of the charging station you want to install is crucial. A charging station of 11 kW or higher often requires a three-phase connection. If your current connection does not support this, a network upgrade is necessary.
3. Simultaneous Use: Consider how many devices are used simultaneously. If you want to use multiple energy-intensive devices simultaneously while charging your car, this can overload your current connection.
4. Future Prospects: Think about your future energy needs. If you expect your energy consumption to increase in the future (e.g., purchasing a second electric car or additional electrical appliances), a network upgrade now may be a wise investment.
5. Charging Speed: The final charging speed is primarily determined by the car's onboard charger, indicated in the Charge Wizard. In the configurator, you can see in the "network upgrade" step what the impact on charging speed is by enabling or disabling a potential network upgrade or load balancing. If the charging speed does not increase, it is likely that the car cannot charge faster. However, it may still be useful to upgrade your network connection to be prepared for future needs.

Network Upgrade is a two-part action/cost:

• Part 1 (on our quote): Making the meter box suitable for the upgrade if it is not already suitable. We check this based on the images provided of the meter box. We carry this out.
• Part 2 (on the quote from the regional grid operator): Adjusting/upgrading the actual network connection. The grid operator carries this out on the condition that the meter box is suitable (Part 1).

How does this work in the configurator (Part 1)? Our configurator indicates the costs for making the meter box suitable for a network upgrade (Part 1) under the choice "do you want a network upgrade - YES".

Requesting a quote from the grid operator (Part 2): The grid operator's quote will be based on your situation in the neighborhood and must be assessed per address by the grid operator. This requires an application via mijnaansluiting.nl. On average, these costs range from €300 to €500.

Advice:

• Energy Audit: Have an energy audit conducted by a certified installer to get a detailed picture of your current consumption and capacity.
• Consultation with Grid Operator: Contact your grid operator to discuss what is needed for a potential network upgrade and what the costs and lead time are.
• Flexible Charging Solutions: Consider smart charging solutions that can adjust the charging power based on your current consumption. This can sometimes avoid a network upgrade.

Summary: A network upgrade is often a necessary step when installing a powerful charging station, especially if your current connection is limited. Consult a specialist to make an informed decision.

The Charge Wizard helps you choose the right charging solution by considering your vehicle, connection, and charging needs. It is a handy tool to find the best charging station and configuration for your situation.

A smart charging station offers additional features such as app control, charging schedules, and load balancing. A standard charging station provides basic charging functionalities. We offer both smart and standard charging stations and can help you choose the best option.

Yes, with your neighbors' permission and a suitable location, a charging station can be shared. This can be cost-saving. We can advise you on the best way to share a charging station and handle the installation.

In some regions, subsidies are available for the purchase and installation of home charging stations. Check local subsidy schemes. We can help you apply for subsidies.

Regular maintenance includes visual inspections for damage, keeping the charging cable clean, and checking for software updates if applicable. We offer maintenance services to ensure your charging station continues to function optimally.

Yes, many smart charging stations can be controlled remotely via a mobile app, allowing you to set charging schedules and monitor the charging process. We offer charging stations with this functionality.

Yes, a charging station can be dismantled and reinstalled at a new location. Ensure that the new location is suitable for installation. We can help you move and reinstall your charging station.

Yes, many charging stations are designed for outdoor installation and are resistant to various weather conditions. Ensure the charging station is correctly installed and meets the IP standards for water and dust resistance.

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The costs for a network upgrade vary by region and grid operator but generally range between €300 and €500. For an accurate estimate, you can contact your grid operator. We are happy to help with the preparations and the adjustment of your meter box.

You can request a network upgrade via mijnaansluiting.nl. Your grid operator will assess the application and issue a quote. We can guide you through this process and help with the preparations.

Our specialists check the suitability of your meter box based on images. Any necessary adjustments are made to make the meter box suitable. Contact us for an assessment.

Your electricity bill will increase depending on how often and how long you charge your EV. However, the costs are often lower than the fuel costs for traditional vehicles. We can help you calculate the expected costs.

Yes, many charging stations can be integrated with solar panels to charge your EV with self-generated solar energy. We offer charging solutions compatible with solar panels and can assist with the installation.

Usually, no permit is required for installing a charging station on private property. Consult your municipality for specific guidelines. We can advise you on local requirements.

Having your own charging station offers convenience, lower costs per kWh, and the ability to charge whenever you want. Public charging stations can be convenient for on-the-go or as a backup. We are happy to help you install your own charging station so you can fully enjoy these benefits.

To optimize the charging speed, ensure a suitable electrical connection, choose a charging station with the right power, and use the Charge Wizard to see the impact of your current setup. We can advise you and provide the best solutions to optimize charging speed.

Dynamic load management ensures that the available power is optimally distributed between your electric car and other electrical appliances in your home. It prevents overloading your electrical connection by automatically adjusting the charging power to the available capacity. This means more efficient use of your energy without risking a power outage.

If your charging cable is damaged, stop using it immediately to avoid safety risks. Contact the manufacturer or your supplier for a replacement cable. Never use a damaged cable to charge your EV.

No, you cannot charge your EV during a power outage, as the charging station requires power to function. It is advisable to ensure your EV is sufficiently charged in case of expected power outages.

Smart charging stations can communicate with your energy provider to optimize charging rates. This means you can benefit from lower rates during off-peak hours. Some smart charging stations can also integrate with your home energy system, such as solar panels, to maximize efficiency.

To make your charging station available for public use, you need to register it with a public charging network. This can be done via the network's website or a special app. You can then set rates and receive payments from other EV users who use your charging station.

Using an EV reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants compared to traditional fossil fuel vehicles. EVs contribute to cleaner air quality and less dependency on oil. However, the environmental impacts also depend on the source of the electricity used for charging.

Home charging rates are usually lower than public charging rates because you pay at your regular electricity rate. Public charging points may charge higher rates due to additional costs for maintenance, service, and convenience. With a smart home charging station, you can also benefit from lower rates during off-peak hours.

When using a shared car and charging station, the settlement of charging costs can be done via a charge card or app that automatically allocates the costs to the correct user. This ensures a fair distribution of charging costs among the users of the shared car.

It is advisable to include your home charging station in your home insurance to cover damage from incidents like fire or theft. Check with your insurer if additional coverage is needed. Some insurers offer specific policies for charging stations.