Electric charging with MAES
Here you can find all useful information about electric charging
I am going to buy an electric or hybrid car, now what?
Made the decision? You’re going to buy a new electric or hybrid car? The whole process is a bit different than buying a new car in the old days. Perhaps you might had to look up where your closest MAES Station was, but apart from that you knew what to look out for. With an electric car however, there are a few other things to look out for.
How do you begin?
Some of the points below are quite obvious. But it can always help to check them off one by one in your decision making process.
- Determine your budget: Before any major purchase, it is important that you determine your budget in advance. This will prevent your eyes from being bigger than your stomach. Another good tip is to look up the prices at home first, so you are better prepared before you come to the seller’s office.
- Research different models: The car doesn’t have to be there today, so take your time to research the different models and brands of electric and hybrid cars. Compare the specific features that are important to you, such as range, charging process and performance.
- Test drive: Especially if it is your first electric or hybrid car, try to request a test drive. This way you can test whether the car is up to your expectations, but you can also try charging at a public charging point or at home. You can then immediately see how much or little time this takes.
- Where and how to charge: This is extremely important, because it is currently not as simple as with a normal car on traditional fuel. So let’s take a closer look at this point:
There are several ways to charge your vehicle electrically:
Charging an electric car is quite different from refueling with a traditional car. But it can be even easier in some cases!
- Charging points at home: You can install a charging point at your home. This way you can easily charge while you are being lazy on the sofa! Handy for when you don’t have to go too far for work or when you can also charge at work.
- Public charging points: This used to be a bit of a search, but the charging points are starting to appear more and more, you can often find them at shopping centers, parking garages and on the highways.
- Fast Charging stations: It is important that you can charge quickly, especially when you are on the road. Nobody is happy to spend an hour in a parking lot next to the highway. That is why some public charging points are equipped with Fast Charging technology, so you can get back on the road faster. At MAES we are also installing 100 ultra-fast chargers.
So be sure to check how and where you want to charge. So if this works out and at work, you are often already in the right place. But if you are always on the road, it is also useful to see whether there is a fast-charging station on your regular route. Also look for a handy way, for example an app, where you can quickly find a location in an emergency! Also handy to see how you are going to load. The MAES Hybrid Card can be a useful tool here 😉.
MAES Hybrid Card
Not only can you go to MAES for the ultra-fast chargers. Whether you have a fully electric car or a hybrid car, you can use our MAES Hybrid Card for both. It combines the positive points of the regular fuel cards with an option where you can also charge electrically.
All useful information about electric charging with MAES can be found here.
FAQ
How much power do I need to charge my electric car?
The power required to charge an electric car depends on the capacity of the battery and the charging speed of the charging point. In general, the larger the capacity of the battery and the faster the charging speed, the higher the power required. An average electric car has a battery capacity of about 60 kWh and can be charged from 0 to 100% in about 8 hours with a charging speed of 7.4 kW. For faster charging speeds, for example at a fast charging station, higher power is required.
Can I charge my electric car at home?
Yes, most electric cars can be charged at home using a charging station or a regular socket.
Is it safe to charge an electric car?
Yes, it is safe to charge an electric car. Electric cars are designed to be safe while charging, and most charging stations have protection mechanisms to prevent overload and short circuits.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
This depends on the price of the electricity and the capacity of the charging point. In general, charging an electric car is cheaper than refueling with petrol or diesel.
Can I charge my electric vehicle while driving?
At the moment it is not possible to charge an electric vehicle while driving, as wireless charging technology is still under development.
How do I pay for charging my electric vehicle?
This depends on the charging infrastructure and the payment method that has been set up. For example, you can pay with a charge card (such as the handy MAES Hybrid card), via an app or via a credit card.
Where can I charge my electric car?
You can charge your electric car at public charging points, at fast charging stations, at home or at work.
What is the range of an electric car?
The range of an electric car depends on the capacity of the battery and the consumption of the car. On average, electric cars have a range of 200 to 300 kilometers.