As regards technology, an electric vehicle's charging speed depends on the type of connector it is plugged in with, on the power that the charging point offers, the vehicle’s battery status and its power limitations.
In today's article, we explain the connectors and charging power points that you can find in the Endolla network and how they can affect the charging speed of your electric vehicle.
What is a charging connector?
When we talk of charging connectors, we mean the “plugs” that connect vehicles to the electricity grid for charging. Connectors vary, depending on the country and the vehicle’s manufacturer. What's more, each connector is specific for a certain power and a specific charging mode.
What connectors can you find at Endolla network charging points?
The Endolla network currently offers four types of connectors that can charge your vehicle to a certain power:
1. The Schuko connector is the power plug usually found on electrical appliances. The maximum power of this type of connector is 3.6 kilowatts. On the Endolla network, you can find it at most BSM car park charging points, where you can recharge the energy equivalent to a range of 100 kilometres in 4-5 hours. It is commonly used for electric motorbikes and light electric quadricycles, as they are connectors that provide low-voltage charging.
2. The Mennekes connector is the European standard. We can find Mennekes connectors at BSM car parks for motorbikes and cars with 3.6 kW of power. In 4-5 hours you can recharge the energy equivalent to a range of 100 kilometres in your electric car. On streets, we find Mennekes connectors at fast charging stations for cars with a power of up to 22 kilowatts. You can recharge your car in half an hour with the equivalent of 65 kilometres. The Mennekes is presently the most widely used electric vehicle connector in the world.
Normal charges are the most advisable as usual charges for their safety and sustainability and also help to protect the battery of electric vehicles. Remember that Schuko and Mennekes normal load connectors can be found on the BSM car park network.
3. The Chademo connector is designed in Japan for fast charging. It is the standard connector for manufacturers of Asian electric car models. On the Endolla network, you can find Chademo connectors at on-street charging points for cars. The maximum power is 50 kilowatts and you can recharge the energy equivalent to a range of 100 kilometres in 20 minutes.
4. The Combo or CCS connector is common in the US and European markets. It is designed for fast charging and can be found at Endolla's on-street car charging points. It results from the combination of the Mennekes connector adapted to fast recharges. Like Chademo connectors, the maximum power is 50 kilowatts and you can recharge the energy equivalent to a range of 100 kilometres in 20 minutes.
Help the environment by saving charged energy
International Energy Efficiency Day was on 5 March and so we would like to remind you that saving energy can become a habit when charging your electric vehicle, helping you promote the care of the environment and make the most of your recharges.