ChargePoint is an American company that focuses on electric vehicle infrastructure. Based in California, ChargePoint is home to the largest online network of EV charging stations, used across 14 countries. The company also makes the technology that it uses to charge EVs.
With that being said, it’s understandable that if you own an electric car you might need to use a ChargePoint. As these charging stations are dotted all throughout the US, it’s worth learning how to use one beforehand.
Is ChargePoint Free?
Yes, some ChargePoint stations are free to use – more than a third of these stations do not involve you paying for your vehicle charging. This is because the company believes that people shouldn’t have to pay for an amenity such as charging their vehicles.
When ChargePoint stations are attached to businesses or certain locations, the people responsible for these places will absorb the cost – meaning that while it is free for you, someone is still paying.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge At ChargePoint?
How much you’ll be paying for charging your vehicle will depend on a number of factors, such as where you live. California tends to be the most expensive place to charge your car due to its higher kWh prices.
ChargePoint works on a subscription basis and will charge $10 to your card when you sign up. It will then replenish your cost every time your balance drops below $5.
Most ChargePoint stations that require payment will charge between $2 and $3 an hour, although some stations have a rate per minute rather than hour.
How To Get A ChargePoint Card?
Getting a ChargePoint card is incredibly simple, and all you need to do is sign up for your free ChargePoint card online or through the app. After signing up your card will arrive through the post between 7 and 10 days.
Can You Use ChargePoint Without Card?
Yes, you can use a ChargePoint without the card. However, you will need to download the ChargePoint app to your phone so that you can connect your phone to the charging station. This allows everyone to be able to use a ChargePoint, even if they have forgotten their card at home or haven’t received it yet.
Using A ChargePoint Charging Station
To use a ChargePoint station all you need to do is download the app and start the charge with it. To do this, you will need to tap your phone onto the station while the ChargePoint app is open.
You can also tap your ChargePoint card onto the station, or press the orange button labeled Start Charge in the mobile app.
Once you have done one of these options, push the button on the connector and lift it away from the charging station. Plus this into your electric car and it should begin the process of charging. Always make sure that your vehicle is actually charging so that you don’t waste time.
Once you have finished charging your car, unplug the connector and place it back in its original position on the ChargePoint. Press the Stop Charging button if you are taking the charger out before a full charge.
You will then receive a receipt through your emails and you can also find your history through the app.
How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Car?
The time it takes for your EV to charge will depend on a number of factors such as how large the battery capacity is and what kind of charger you are using. The average electric car with a 60 kWh battery will charge from 0 to 100 percent within 8 hours using a 32-amp charger.
Most charging stations use 32-amp chargers, so this is a good time estimate for how long you might be charging your car for. Using a super fast charger that uses 50 amps will charge your car in even less time.
However, most people won’t want to charge their car from 0 to 100 percent at a public charging station. Instead, they’ll do top up sessions. With a super fast 50-amp charger most cars will be able to get around 100 miles of range within just 35 minutes of charging.
Does ChargePoint Stop Charging When Full?
ChargePoint will send a notification to your mobile app when your car has reached its maximum charging. While it will not stop charging on its end, most EVs do house a built-in battery management system that stops the charging process after the battery has hit 100 percent charge.
So, there is no risk of overcharging if your car comes with this beneficial feature. If it doesn’t, the ChargePoint notification should allow you to stop charging your vehicle to prevent overcharging damages.
Does ChargePort Have Idle Fees?
No, ChargePort does not charge its customers with idle fees. Idle fees are used by some EV charging stations to increase how much the customer pays if they leave their car plugged into a charging port after it has reached 100 percent battery life.
ChargePort itself does not include idle fees if you leave your car at a station for too long after it has finished charging. However, if a business or location is fronting the cost of electric car charging, then they might have their own rules on idle fees.
Make sure that you read the notices around each ChargePoint that you use so that you don’t get slapped with a higher fee than you were expecting to.
Summary
ChargePoint is an easy way to charge your electric car while you’re on the go. You can simply plug your car into any of the available ChargePoint stations and let them take care of the rest. You can use the ChargePoint app or card to pay for the electricity you use.
Some ChargePoints are free around the USA, while others require you to pay a fee. However, there are no idle fees for you to deal with, so don’t worry about staying with your car the entire time it charges.
Derek Bruce has interests in many diverse subjects, including gardening, electric vehicles, creative writing and science fiction. "Really look at any flower or mechanism and you will see the whole Universe!"
Sitemap DB Marketing and SEO, Casa de Serrabodes, CP827, Mexhilhoeira Grande, Faro, Portugal - Bus. Reg: 9996004777432 - Tel: +351 969147910 derekbruce597@gmail.com
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