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Charging Methods The Zoe has three methods of charging, considered here in terms of increasing cost and complexity but reducing charging time: Standar
[See the full post at: Charging]Very nice.
There are interesting Wall Boxes with 3 phases at 16 A, which makes 11 kW and give a 2h loading time.
I once gathered the price in Germany for the model AMAX 11 plus (a search engine will provide the interested reader with further infos) which totalled to around 800 Euros + VAT.
While the 1 phase 32 A sounds quite interesting – the 32 A requires some special handling on your electrical system at home…I don’t know if this is easier than a 3 phase 16 A Wall Box.
The only thing I’m not sure whether the 11 kW WBs are compatible with the Zoe charger.
Regards
Umbi
SjoepieYou are quite right, Umbi.
Here in the Netherlands we have standard 3 x 230 Volt/ 16 Amps.
A 32 Amps system is much more expensive so it would be very worthwhile to have the possibility to use 3 x 230V/16A !Are there any information on how the battery temperature is handled in ZOE?
I’ve heard Leaf only has a standard ventilator for the battery and there have been unsatisfied (with range) buyers in the USA’s hot states Arizona etc.
Opel Ampera for examle has its battery in a liquid that keeps its temperature stabile by the the battery’s own power.Here in Scotland, the Energy Savings Trust will be offering ‘free’ home chargers, subject to a home survey by their preferred supplier, they are hoping to offer the 32a wall box which will speed up charging for all ev’s. Here our fuse box has two 32a fuses in place, one is for the electric shower and the other is for the oven in the kitchen so it’s not unusual to have that load on a household system, there is also a great charity in the UK called Zero Carbon World, where they donate charging units to hotels, restaurants, bars, visitor centre’s etc to offer their services to EV owners for free or very low cost, the idea being that if they have a charger they will encourage EV owners to visit their establishment either to stay overnight, have lunch or dinner, visit their stores etc and their EV can be charged whilst there. The charging units aren’t anything too fancy it is modular and has a 32a socket, and a 13a socket on the same charging unit.
Have completed application form for the free Chargemaster charging point, which is a some kind of scheme with British Gas and Polarnetwork. I am waiting for someone presumably British Gas to do a survey of my garage and electrics. I will keep all informed of the progress.
Mitja,
As far as I know Renault has released nothing publicly about how the battery is cooled – which suggests it does not have a sophisticated cooling system. Given the trouble Renault’s partner Nissan has had with its Leaf in hot climates in Arizona and elsewhere in the US one might wonder if any launch delays are connected to revisions to the cooling system.
Looking forward to the details, Mervyn. At some point I’ll write up the options for subsidised chargers around the UK.
davidHi Umbi
In answer to some of your questions, in the UK the standard domestic supply is single phase with a 100amp supply. So a 3 phase unit would be a wasted investment, hence the 32amp unit.
with regards to special precautions you are on the money and these units are treated in the same way as an electric shower i.e. dedicated supply from the consumer unit, RCD and MCB protection. In addition in the Uk a dedicated earth is also required.
The main question to ask before making any purchasing decision is what is the rating of the on board charger. all the Japanese cars are currently single phase (J1772 connector on the car) so not point in wasting money on a 3 phase unit plus a typical car has a 3.3kW on board charger so going 32 over 16amps is questionable except the price of the charger should be the same and you are future proofing the investment.
davidHi Bob
would like to raise a couple of points if I may the rating of the charger to a degree is a red herring as the on board charger is the defining factor. Cars on the market today only have around a 3.3 kW on board charger. The 7kW charge point is really future proofing.
With regards using a 13amp socket, A well known EV manufacture has sent a letter to it owners saying only use this type of socket in an emergency plus the standard socket for all public charging in Scotland is via “62196-2” which allows the charge point to communicate to the car and deliver that magic 32amps.
With regards the units supplied by Zero Carbon world many were commercial Commando sockets which I understand only the v expensive Tesla could use. Further more these sockets have no shutter protection, hence are only allowed in commercial applications ask can give a shock if say a child or other stuck their fingers in it.
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