Frequently Asked
Questions
In our FAQ section, we have collected the most important questions for you. This resource is designed to provide you with the information you need quickly and easily.
Here you'll find all the answers to your questions.
The autoSense app allows you to remotely monitor and manage your vehicle. You can view vehicle data, document your trips and find out about the condition of your vehicle.
To plan your electric car trip, you should consider factors such as the distance you need to travel, the availability of charging stations along your route, and the charging speed of each station. Use online tools or apps that offer e-trip planners to plan your route and find charging stations at appropriate intervals. Take into account the charging time and schedule any necessary stops to ensure a smooth journey.
How long it takes to charge an electric vehicle depends on several factors, including the vehicle's battery capacity, charging speed, and current charge level. Charging times can vary between a few hours with a Level 2 charger and around 30 minutes with a fast charger. However, it's important to know that a full charge can take several hours, especially with larger battery packs.
There are various types of charging plugs that are used for charging electric vehicles. The most common types are:
Type 1 (SAE J1772): This plug is commonly used for AC charging in North America and Japan.
Type 2 (Mennekes): This plug is often used for AC charging in Europe and is compatible with most e-vehicles.
CCS (combined charging system): CCS plugs are primarily used for DC fast charging and are becoming increasingly popular all over the world.
CHAdeMO: This plug is also used for DC fast charging and is often found in older electric vehicle models, especially from Japanese manufacturers.
Choosing the right charging plug for your electric vehicle (EV) is essential for safe and efficient charging.
Here are a few steps to help you make the right choice:
- Check the compatibility of your vehicle: Different e-vehicle models may require different types of charging plugs. Check your vehicle's manual or contact the manufacturer to find out which type of plug is compatible with your electric vehicle.
- Find out about charging standards: There are various charging standards that are used worldwide, such as CHAdeMO, CCS (Combined Charging System) and Tesla's Supercharger. Find out which standard is common in your region and make sure that the charging plug you choose supports that standard.
- Take into account the charging speed: There are charging plugs in different power levels, which affect the charging speed. Determine your charging needs based on your daily driving habits. If you frequently take long trips, you might want to invest in a faster charging port.
- Evaluate plug types: There are various plug types, including Type 1 (J1772), Type 2 (Mennekes), and Type 3 (Same). When choosing the right type of plug for your vehicle, consider factors such as availability, compatibility with charging stations, and ease of use.
- Remember, it's always a good idea to consult an EV specialist or your vehicle manufacturer to make sure you're making the best choice for your particular EV model.
Fast charging, also known as DC fast charging, is a charging method in which the battery of an electric vehicle is quickly charged with powerful direct current (DC). It can charge an electric vehicle to a high level in a relatively short period of time, usually within 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the vehicle and charging station.
Helpful documents
This section provides central access to a variety of helpful documents aimed at expanding understanding of complex topics and deepening knowledge. Simply download the materials you want and gain valuable insights to effectively achieve goals.
Everything about charging
Is your question still unanswered? Then our support team will be happy to help you.
The coverage of publicly accessible charging stations is 98% in Switzerland (15,000 charging points), and over 600,000 in Europe.
Basically, you don't need a charging card if you already have the chargeOn app. However, we offer authentication via RFID charging card (e.g. if you often charge at charging stations that are in a parking garage with poor reception). If required, you are welcome to order them once free of charge via the app. As soon as you have received the card, you can save and load it in the chargeOn app.
Roaming is not only available with mobile phone providers, but also when charging. Our roaming prices refer to charging stations provided by other operators outside our partner network.
The chargeON app is free: this means you don't need a subscription. Instead, you can download the app for free, store your credit card and purchase energy at the market prices quoted – or at preferential rates from our partners (including Migros, Fastned, Electra and AMAG). For example, you can charge your vehicle at Migrol for as little as CHF 0.39/kWh for slow chargers or CHF 0.49/kWh for fast chargers.
What are the charging costs? The cost of the charges consists of three components, some of which are specified by the charging station operators. Depending on the station, these components can be combined in different ways. Starting fee: We charge a one-time fee to start a charging process. Consumption-based billing: The operator charges a price for the purchase of one kilowatt hour (kWh). Time-based billing: The operator makes time-based billing (per minute). There are no further costs until the connection to the charging station is disconnected.
Depending on the charging station provider, fair use fees may apply. We have no influence over the prices of external charging stations. You can find information on whether and from when fair use fees apply at a charging station in the app at the respective charging point under ‘Additional costs’. Fair use costs are also communicated via app push notifications.
Private customers
If your question isn't answered here, visit our Support Center or contact us directly.
The autoSense app allows you to remotely monitor and manage your vehicle. You can view vehicle data, document your trips and find out about the condition of your vehicle.
Data protection is a matter of trust and your trust in us is our greatest asset. Responsible and legally compliant handling of personal data in particular is very important to us. Data is always stored securely. For more information, see our privacy policy. https://www.autosense.ch/datenschutz
Our customer service is at your disposal. Contact us via “Contact Support” in the app or on our website. You are also welcome to send an email to support@autosense.ch write.
Yes, you can sign in to your account on various devices and use the app.
With the autoSense app, you can monitor your vehicle in real time, keep a digital logbook, track your vehicle's location, receive maintenance reminders and analyze your fuel consumption. You'll also receive notifications about important events involving your vehicle.
You can set notifications directly in the app. With the “More” icon at the bottom right, you can set the notifications as you like. Make sure that you have to allow notifications for the app on your phone.
Business customers
If your question isn't answered here, you can contact us directly.
To optimize your vehicle's charging speed and efficiency, there are a few strategies you can use. First, make sure you're using a compatible charging station that matches the charging capabilities of your electric vehicle. Opt for a heavy-duty charger when you need faster charging times. Second, keep your charging plugs clean and free from dirt to ensure a good connection. This helps to maximize charging efficiency. Also avoid charging your electric vehicle up to 100% unless necessary. A charge level of around 80-90% can shorten charging times and extend battery life. Finally, minimizing the use of auxiliary systems such as air conditioning or heating during charging can also improve overall charging speed and efficiency.
When charging your electric vehicle, you should avoid a few common mistakes to ensure safe and efficient charging. First, don't use extension cables or adapters that aren't specifically designed to charge electric vehicles. This can result in overheating or electrical hazards. Second, you should avoid charging at extreme temperatures as this may affect the battery's performance. Don't charge your electric vehicle with a damaged or frayed charging cable as this could pose a safety risk. Finally, you should never attempt to modify or manipulate your EV's charging system, as this may void the warranty and impair safety. By avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure a smooth and trouble-free charging process.
Battery balancing is the process of balancing the charge level of individual cells in an EV battery pack. This is important because some cells can easily become unbalanced over time due to fluctuations in capacity or usage. If the cells are unbalanced, this can result in reduced overall battery performance and a shorter range.
Battery balancing redistributes charge between cells to ensure that all cells have the same level of charge. This can be done automatically through the vehicle's integrated battery management system or through special charging cycles that are designed to compensate for imbalances.
By balancing the battery regularly, you can maintain optimal performance and extend the overall life of the battery pack. It helps prevent some cells from being overcharged while others are undercharged, which can lead to premature aging and loss of capacity. Battery balancing also ensures that all cells are used efficiently, maximizing available energy and increasing the range of your electric vehicle.
You can order a new charging card. Before you can use your new card, however, it must be activated again. To prevent unauthorized use of the lost charging card, please contact our customer support to have the card blocked. If you have lost your employer's or a leasing company's charging card, sit down with the relevant company and then discuss the next steps.
If required, you can order your charging card free of charge once. As soon as you have received your card, you can store and load it in the chargeOn app.
Yes, the chargeON app and charging card can also be used abroad. You can charge your car at more than 700,000 stations throughout Europe (coverage approx. 90%).
