What ways are there to charge a battery and what are the differences between them?
There are currently two common ways of charging an electric vehicle: one via a rapid charging point, the other via a standard household power socket. Rapid charging points can be found in places such as shopping centres, and are being extended to petrol stations and locations in cities. The advantage of these points is that they draw on a higher charging current than the power available at home.
Is it difficult to charge electric cars?
In general, charging ŠKODA EVs is fairly easy and there are several possibilities when it comes to where and how to charge them. One is to use an official ŠKODA wallbox – the ŠKODA iV Charger.
How does charging work?
There are two ways of charging, either via alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Charging by AC is not as fast as charging by DC. For example, AC is present in the home network when charging from 230V or 400V outlets. An electric car needs to change this AC current to DC, so charging may take longer. Charging from a three-phase socket (used, for example, for blender or circular saw in most houses) is faster because of the greater flow of energy, but the current still needs to be switched from AC to DC. Therefore, it is best to charge from a socket adapted to charge electric vehicles. Charging is a non-linear process. In most cases, the DC charger will charge up to 80% of the battery capacity in less than an hour. The remaining 20% of capacity takes approximately the same time as the first 80%.
How does vehicle charging work, step by step?
1. To recharge, you need to have a card or a chip to unlock the charging station. You get the card or chip when you enter into a contract with an energy supplier. Or you can opt for Powerpass card (service provided by the Elli company – Volkswagen Group Charging GmbH).
2. Select the appropriate socket according to the instructions on the charger display.
3. Plug the cable into the chosen socket.
4. Charging starts automatically when the cable is connected correctly. The charging time depends on the type of charging station and the capacity you need to charge.
5. After the charging starts, you log out and the socket is locked to prevent the cable from being disconnected during charging.
6. After charging is completed, you log in and unplug the cable. Then you can continue driving.
How long will it take to fully charge my EV?
Generally speaking, the DC charger will charge up to 80% of the battery capacity in less than an hour. The remaining 20% of capacity takes approximately the same time as the first 80%. If you’re unable to access a fast charger, it will take longer to fully charge the car, depending on the battery and the model.
Where can I charge my EV?
You can charge it at home or at a public charging station. If you’d like to charge your new car at home, you should think of installing a ŠKODA iV Charger. If you want to charge in public you can find stations with the help of our MyŠKODA mobile application.
Can ŠKODA AUTO help me to get a charger for my car?
Our authorised dealers will prepare an offer for complete eMobility provision tailored to your needs. Everything will depend on the model selected, your location, type of dwelling, etc. They will recommend a suitable ŠKODA iV Charger or one of our charging cables. Contact your electricity supplier to adjust the distribution and power rate.
What is a wallbox?
We use the term “wallbox” to refer to the wall-mounted charging point for electric vehicles. The wallbox is the physical system that provides electricity to a vehicle when it is plugged in by a cable. It is powered by alternating current. The ŠKODA iV Charger, ŠKODA AUTO’s official wallbox, will be available in three equipment levels from your official ŠKODA dealer.
Who is the ŠKODA iV Charger intended for?
The ŠKODA iV Charger is specifically developed for customers who want to install a fast smart charging station at home. Dealership employees will provide information and advice on which ŠKODA iV Charger is best suited to your car and needs.
How do I install a ŠKODA iV Charger?
Most importantly, installing a ŠKODA iV Charger is not a job you can do yourself. Once you've decided to install a ŠKODA iV Charger at your home, our qualified dealers will help to set you up with an approved electrician who can install it.
What is eCheck?
This is an installation service for customers and comprises 4 main parts:
• Pre-check: online questionnaire to obtain initial information about the customer’s home grid connection. The questionnaire can be found on the ŠKODA eMobility HUB and in the Elli webshop
• Home check: a physical check by a local electrician provided by the ISP
• Installation: installation of the wallbox
• Customer care
What are the costs of a ŠKODA iV Charger?
That pretty much depends on the type of ŠKODA iV Charger that you'd like to purchase. Our local dealers are more than happy to consult that decision with you and make an appropriate offer.
Are there any risks when installing a ŠKODA iV Charger?
The main risks are posed by people trying to install their ŠKODA iV Charger by themselves. We highly recommend always asking a qualified approved electrician to install the ŠKODA iV Charger. In addition, you need to ensure that the electricity supply in your house is sufficient for the power required – this can be discussed and assessed with one of our helpful experienced dealers.
Will the seller advise me how to arrange an increase in the power on my switchboard at home and on tariff rates, or do I have to find everything out myself?
Our authorised dealers can only give general recommendations. On certain markets, dealers can offer customers a Home Check, where a certified electrician will give you professional recommendations and help to prepare documents for your electricity supplier. After the Home Check, you can contact your electricity supplier yourself.
Can I buy an electric car if I live in a block of flats – and I park on the street in a housing estate?
Yes. You don’t need to own a house or garage to have an electric car. You can park your car wherever you need to. However, you will have to recharge at public charging stations, e.g. at work or when shopping. For example, you can recharge the ENYAQ iV at a DC charging station to a capacity that will provide enough power to commute for a whole week.
What options do I have to charge at home?
ŠKODA will offer the following charging products:
• ŠKODA iV Charger, ŠKODA iV Charger Connect and ŠKODA iV Charger Connect+
• Mode 2 cables
• Universal Charger iV (charging from home socket and industry socket)
• Webasto Pure Wallbox
What is the difference between a Universal Charger iV and an 11 kW wallbox?
A Universal Charger iV is a standard charging cable allowing the user to charge from a standard or industry socket. A wallbox is a wall-mounted device to provide comfort and safety while charging and advanced smart functions (a “smart wallbox”).
What is smart charging?
Smart charging is generally used as an umbrella term. It incorporates all the intelligent functions of charging stations that optimise the charging infrastructure by balancing energy usage between the charging stations and other appliances. Smart charging ensures that EV charging is as efficient as possible, based on the available power capacity, and saves on advantageous tariffs. The ŠKODA iV Charger can be connected for example to MyŠKODA or Powerpas mobile applications.
Can I use any charger in the city?
A wide network of charging stations throughout Europe can be used to charge electric vehicles. Get our Powerpass (by Elli) card and you will be allowed to simply check in with most of the public charging providers.
Does ŠKODA AUTO offer a public charging solution for iV?
Yes. It is called Powerpass, which is a service provided by the Elli company - Volkswagen Group Charging GmbH. With the Powerpass card you will be allowed to charge practically anywhere. You’ll also be able to see all your charging data and payments, neatly, in one app. Powerpass has been available since we launched the first ENYAQ iV and it will provide you with access to the IONITY fast charging network as well.
Is ŠKODA AUTO planning to have a unique charging connector for electric vehicles?
ŠKODA cars have the same connector as most electric cars on the European market – the Type 2 “Mennekes” for AC charging or Combo 2 for DC charging.
Will it be possible to charge faster?
The fastest charging is via direct current (DC). This is the current the car needs, so it does not have to convert AC to DC, i.e. charging is faster. The charging station network already has DC charging stations for fast charging.
When should I charge with AC, and when with DC?
ŠKODA offers customers all charging options for optimal flexibility. We recommend installing a ŠKODA iV Charger at home for regular vehicle charging. Recharge your batteries even when you’re on the go – for charging at charging stations, the vehicle comes with an appropriate AC cable in addition to the charging cable for normal household sockets. Longer distances can be managed with fast charging at DC charging stations.
Is it dangerous if the charging cable gets wet, the vehicle is in a puddle or it is raining?
No. The charging process is fully secured. There is no danger to persons at any time. Both the car and the charger itself have several levels of protection in these cases. For example, the current doesn’t run until it is securely plugged into the socket and both the car and charger are sure that everything is ready.
What happens if I forget to unplug the plug from the charging station and start driving?
The engine can only be started when the charging cable is removed.
Does the plug need to be removed as soon as the battery has been fully charged?
No, the charger in the vehicle switches itself off at the end of the charging process.
Can I stop charging even if the battery has not finished charging?
Yes, you can interrupt the charging process without damaging the battery. Charging is interrupted when you unlock the vehicle. Alternatively, you can stop the charging process via MyŠKODA.
Does the battery become damaged if it is charged every day or charged too long?
No, daily charging is not a problem. Charging automatically ends when the battery has finished charging.
If you don’t keep driving until the battery is flat, will this damage it?
No, the battery does not have to be empty to be recharged.
Do I always have to charge the battery to 100% capacity?
No, this is not necessary. Batteries have only a minimal memory effect over their duration, so this is not noticeable in a non-complete charge.
Is it harmful if you regularly charge the battery with DC power via CCS?
No, with DC charging, the battery is only 80% charged in about 60 minutes. For the remaining 20%, the charging power is lowered continuously to save the battery.
How long can a vehicle be parked without the battery going flat when there are no charging options nearby?
It depends on the outdoor temperature and the battery’s state of charge when the car is parked. If it is full and the outside temperature is low, the car can remain parked for several months.
When is the best time to charge an EV?
We wouldn't say there is a best time to charge an EV, but most people prefer to charge overnight so they have a fully charged vehicle in the morning. Naturally, depending on the charging point, it may take anywhere from one hour to an entire day to fully charge, so you should consider such factors when deciding the best time to charge your EV.
Is induction charging possible?
Yes, some countries and some car brands already offer charging via an induction coil, but this option is not available for our cars yet. However, we are considering offering this form of charging in the future.
What if my EV battery goes flat?
To be honest, we really doubt that this will ever happen to you. Our vehicles will always inform you well in advance about the state of charge, and with MyŠKODA you will be able to check your state of charge anywhere, any time.
However, we will also be prepared just in case and we will offer you mobility solutions either as part of the roadside assistance service or as part of other associated eMobility services.
What will a completely flat battery do to the car if I am driving it?
The vehicle keeps you informed about the current battery capacity in the same way as a conventional vehicle does with the fuel level in the tank. Thanks to regenerative braking, you are continuously charging the battery. If you do not respond to several alerts that the battery is running low and it eventually does become flat, the vehicle will stop in the same way as an internal combustion engine. Unlike an internal combustion engine, however, it does not ventilate, so it can simply be charged without any need for a service.
Is there a service that would come to recharge me? Like a cable start?
Yes, there are already several independent providers of this service, such as E-Mona, and offers are sure to mushroom in the market. Right now, our customers have the possibility of having their vehicle towed to the nearest service partner, where the car can be recharged, or to the nearest charging station. You are always offered the best option. However, we are also working on our own partner solutions, which we will offer through our service network or through our assistance partners.