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I have just taken delivery of a new Zoe, and I Can’t work out why the Charge scheduler cannot be selected. The option is shown dulled out on the display. Does this mean that the software needs upgrading?
Please help!I have had the free 7KW / 30AMP charger fitted by British Gas. I works fine but I did not realise until the Gas man (Electrician) arrived that Polar (Chargemaster) are collecting data from you. ie the unit has a built in GPS and GSM (O2) comms unit. Any comments?
Noggy
Lol, that was condition of getting the free charger. Renault also collect information on you as do Google every time you go on this forum.
Not sure why you can’t set scheduler, car may have to be plugged in when you set it ?My understanding is O2 unit etc. is so you can control your charging and comfort timer etc remotely via mobile phone, ipad or computer which you would not be able to do otherwise. Charging installer works out initially which is your strongest mobile network in your area. It is for you not anyone else. So via RE Services you can control your car charging + heating.
With ref to dulled out display. It may be that you need connected to RE Services. Not sure. Some of our bits were dulled out until we had this. Not sure if anyone else can help on this.
The charge point does indeed have O2 data connectivity so that the government can monitor usage of the charging point. Nothing sinister, just part of the T&Cs and the OLEV grant charge point.
The data connectivity of the car is separate. That is so you can use the charge timer and comfort timer as well as monitor charging and battery status remotely.
Oh interesting!
And the car logs with Renault its charging history. You can see that on the http://www.services.renault-ze.com website.
Might be useful to you, I guess Renault can use the info to work out how people charge their cars, and maybe its partly behind them dropping the 43K fast charge facility.
As to the charging unit logging your usage….Well, it does seem a little dark that the government is directly monitoring what you’re doing at home. Maybe they think we’re all a bunch of subversive Eco-Warriors that need to be carefully watched.
Or, they’re just seeking to prove their investment in the EV infrastructure is being used and worth while.
OK so reading what EVmeister says: My Zoe does not have any data connectivity. I assume that is because I have not yet registered with ZE service? I can’t do that yet until I get the Activation code from my dealer as this is required as well as the Vin number to register. I assume therefore that the car has its own SIM card (not accessible by the owner!!)
This may be a good thing, but I am now assuming that this is how RCI can stop your car from charging if you fall behind on the payments for the batteries.
Noggy
Noggy – you should have all the information now from the dealer on your paperwork. In any case most of us have needed Renault (RE Division) to turn on the RE Services and not the dealer. Renault still have problems with this and so my advice is contact them now and ask for help now. It still takes several days – 1 week or do to happen.
And yes…Renault has the facility to stop your battery working.
Wow mgjackson – Feel the paranoia!
If the charging info is useful to us and Renault..then why not to the government too? It’s brand new technology and by monitoring our usage and identifying patterns etc. then they may be able to use this info to improve the infrastructure in future.
Your mobile phone is monitoring a lot more about your life you know that organisations can and do tap into. They know where you are, what you are doing, who you are with etc. Now that is carefully watching us.
lol, not paranoid- but am a little cynical.
I’m sure any data collected is just statistical monitoring of how their investment is being used.
However, the cynic in me suspects it could be a mechanism for taxation; after all, the bulk of the price of fuel is tax and if EVs really do become popular, they’re gonna want to tax them as well.
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