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Frequently asked questions

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General
E-Car
Funding and costs
Charging
Photovoltaic
General Questions
Where can I get information on e-mobility?

MOON POWER GmbH is your contact for everything to do with e-mobility.

Send your request via the consultation form.

What do I need for my electric car?

For the carefree use of your pure electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid, all you really need is a suitable charging option. In addition to the charging cable included in the standard equipment of some vehicles, the installation of a POWER wallbox is one of the options for a sustainable solution.

What are the advantages of an electric car?
  • 100% emission-free
  • Subsidy for electric cars
  • Lower taxes and insurance premiums
  • Parking spaces for electric vehicles
  • Modern technology
  • Low operating costs
How are the charging power, charging time and range of my electric car defined?

The charging power of an electric vehicle depends on the on-board charger (OBC) of your vehicle and ranges from 2.3 to 22 kW, depending on the vehicle.

The charging time and range - in this example for a VW e-Golf - are calculated as follows: 

Charging time (h) = battery capacity (35.8 kWh) / charging power (7.2 kW)
Range (300 km) = battery capacity (35.8 kWh) / energy consumption (12.7 kWh / 100km) * 100

How is the power supplied?

In principle, there are two options for charging your electric vehicle, using your existing power contract or installing a photovoltaic system.

Your photovoltaic system produces your own solar power and saves you electricity costs every day. The surplus solar power either flows into home storage and can be used at a later time, or directly into your e-vehicle to charge the battery.

Can a wallbox be connected to the photovoltaic system?

Yes, this is quite simple for some wallboxes, because the supplied load management system communicates with the software from all common inverter manufacturers.

Can solar power also be stored and passed on by the electric car?

To date, most vehicles are not capable of feeding electricity stored in the vehicle battery into a household. However, bi-directional use of electricity is envisaged for future vehicle generations, allowing the vehicle battery to also be used to supply the home.

Is there enough (green) electricity for all e-cars?

Enough electricity is available for all current electric vehicles. Electricity demand will increase due to increased demand for EVs and electric technology in industry and housing. Measures will be taken to increase electricity production and improve energy efficiency. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, energy efficiency technologies, and energy management systems will be utilized. According to Österreichs Energie, approximately 80% of the electricity generated in Austria in 2021 came from renewable sources, and the generation of renewable energy in Austria is expected to increase from 55.8 TWh to 82.8 TWh within this decade.

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All about E-cars
What do I need for my electric car?

For the carefree use of your pure electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid, all you really need is a suitable charging option. In addition to the charging cable included in the standard equipment of some vehicles, the installation of a POWER wallbox is one of the options for a sustainable solution.

How are the charging power, charging time and range of my electric car defined?

The charging power of an electric vehicle depends on the on-board charger (OBC) of your vehicle and ranges from 2.3 to 22 kW, depending on the vehicle.

The charging time and range - in this example for a VW e-Golf - are calculated as follows: 
Charging time (h) = battery capacity (35.8 kWh) / charging power (7.2 kW)
Range (300 km) = battery capacity (35.8 kWh) / energy consumption (12.7 kWh / 100km) * 100

What are the advantages of an electric car?
  • 100% emission-free
  • Subsidy for electric cars
  • Lower taxes and insurance premiums
  • Parking spaces for electric vehicles
  • Modern technology
  • Low operating costs
What are the charging features for electric cars?

A distinction is made between AC (alternating current) charging, which enables charging power up to 43 kW, and DC (direct current) charging. Several car manufacturers are planning higher charging capacities of up to 350 kW in the area of DC charging.

Are all e-cars bidirectional?

An electric car is usually not bidirectional, meaning that it cannot draw power from the battery and feed power into the battery at the same time. An e-car is powered by a battery that stores electricity and delivers it to the car's electric motor to power it. The electricity is usually supplied by a charging station or a power outlet (or also by solar cells or by energy recovery during braking).

Do bidirectional e-cars exist?

There are bidirectional electric cars that can both draw power from the battery and feed power into the battery. This type of technology is also known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and thus the e-car can serve as a mobile power storage device. Thus, electricity can be drawn from the battery to power the e-car, and the excess electricity can be fed into the power grid when not in use. However, V2G technologies are not yet widespread and there are still many technical and regulatory challenges that need to be addressed.

What is a BEV?

BEV stands for "Battery Electric Vehicle," an electric vehicle that is powered solely by a battery and produces no exhaust emissions. It has a often shorter range than combustion engine-powered vehicles, but offers a quieter ride, higher efficiency and advanced technologies such as regenerative braking and battery management. Sales of BEVs are on the rise, as evidenced by the latest figures from the Austrian Federal Association for Electric Mobility: In the first two months of this year, over 6000 e-cars were registered, which corresponds to a share that has already reached 16.8% of all registrations in Austria. BEVs will play a more important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the future.

 

What is the difference in the range of an e-car in summer compared to winter?

In winter, e-cars consume more electricity than in summer due to the need to heat the interior, which can result in a shorter range. Other factors that have a negative impact on range in winter are the higher rolling resistance, the higher air resistance and that the battery first has to be brought up to temperature.

To maximize range: Set the heater to the lowest comfortable temperature, use seat and windshield heaters sparingly, drive more slowly, check tire pressure, preheat the e-car, and charge regularly.

How long does an e-car last?

E-cars have a longer life than internal combustion engines-power cars because they have fewer moving parts and lower maintenance requirements. The battery, an important component, usually has a life span of 8-15 years; special batteries can even achieve 20 years. Volkswagen offers an 8-year warranty for 70% remaining power. However, the battery life is affected by how it is used, as frequent complete discharging and charging can shorten it

Are maintenance costs for electric vehicles high?

In principle, the maintenance costs for electric vehicles are lower than for vehicles with combustion engines. According to ÖAMTC (Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club), maintenance costs savings of around one third are to be expected. For example, there are no costs for changing the engine oil and there are no catalytic converters or particulate filters. Essentially, an electric vehicle has fewer wearing parts.

Are e-cars hazardous waste?

E-cars contain electronic and electrical components that must be carefully recycled in order to reuse valuable raw materials and minimize environmental impact. Lithium has a recycling rate of 80%, cobalt as high as 95%, and steel and aluminum can be 100% recycled. Batteries made from lithium-ion cells must be recycled, and there are other components such as power electronics, electric motors, and control units that must be recycled. A battery with 50% to 60% storage capacity left can be used for another 10 to 20 years for various purposes.

Are electric cars more dangerous in accidents?

No, electric vehicles are just as safe in accidents as vehicles with combustion engines. This is because e-cars must meet the same legal requirements. As soon as an accident occurs with an e-car, the flow of current from the battery is cut off. In addition, experiments have shown that the fire intensity in vehicles depends on the materials installed and not on the type of drive.

How far can an e-car go?

The range of an e-car depends on the battery capacity, the energy consumption of the vehicle and the weather conditions. Most e-cars can cover between 200 and 500 kilometers on a full charge. The Q8 e-tron car, for example, has a range of up to 582 km.

How much electricity does an e-car need?

On average, an EV consumes 12-30 kWh of electricity per 100 km, but consumption can vary depending on the car and driving conditions. A larger battery and higher power can increase electricity consumption, as can fast driving or driving on rough roads.

Does an electric car have a gearshift?

No, electric vehicles do not have a gearshift, as a single-speed transmission is sufficient. The consistently high torque in e-motors makes changing gears unnecessary.

 

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Funding & Costs
Can I save costs with an electric car?

Yes, compared to a gasoline or diesel, there are extensive tax benefits in many countries. They also save up to 30% on maintenance costs and up to 60% on fuel costs.

Are maintenance costs for electric vehicles high?

In principle, the maintenance costs for electric vehicles are lower than for vehicles with combustion engines. According to ÖAMTC, a reduction of around one third can be expected in maintenance costs. For example, there are no costs for changing the engine oil and there are no catalytic converters or particulate filters. In general, an electric vehicle has fewer wearing parts.

Can I save costs with the self-generated solar power?

When using your own photovoltaic system, you can save up to 50% on electricity costs.

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All about charging
Which connector types for electric cars are the most relevant in Europe?

For AC (alternating current) charging, the type 2 connector is the most commonly used. The type 2 connector is the standard charging plug for European manufacturers. When it comes to DC (direct current) area, the Asian CHADEMO and the European CCS standard are widely used.

What is Type2?

Type2 is a plug type used for charging electric vehicles (EVs) that is widely used in Europe and Asia. This plug type has established itself as the standard in Europe. It is typically used at public charging stations and private homes. Type2 plugs are usually designed for charging currents of up to 32 amperes and can be connected to a charging station or a socket.

What is CCS?

CCS stands for Combined Charging System. It is a combined plug for charging e-vehicles. This type of plug is combined because it can be connected to both direct current and alternating current charging sockets. Such a plug can therefore also be plugged into fast charging stations and thus charge the electric vehicle in a short time. 

What is CHAdeMO?

CHAdeMO is a standard for fast charging of electric vehicles. It is mainly used in Japan and Europe and allows EVs to be charged at dedicated fast charging stations. CHAdeMO charging stations can charge EVs with high charging currents of up to 62.5 kW, which means they are able to charge an EV's battery within a short time.

What is a charger?

A charger, also called a charging station or charging unit, is a device used to charge electric vehicles (EVs). There are different types of chargers that can be used for different purposes.

What is AC charging?

AC charging, also known as regular charging, refers to charging electric vehicles with alternating current at AC charging stations. At these stations, AC power from the socket is fed into the electric vehicle and converted to DC power in the vehicle's on-board power converter, as car batteries can only store DC power. AC charging stations are smaller and lower powered tan DC chargers. Therefore, they are most suitable for use at home or at work, as the charging time is several hours. Charging at night or during working hours is therefore particularly advantageous. The power of AC charging stations is usually 11-22 kW.

What is DC charging?

DC charging or fast charging refers to charging electric vehicles with direct current at DC charging stations. Here, the alternating current is converted to direct current directly at the station and fed directly into the car battery. DC charging stations have the advantage of a fast charging process that takes only a few minutes. The power of fast charging stations is usually 50-300 kW, which allows short charging times. However, the purchase and installation costs for DC charging stations are much higher than for AC charging stations, and they are also larger. DC charging stations are therefore ideal for locations such as highway service stations, where electric car drivers spend only a short time.

What is a wallbox?

A wallbox is a charging station for electric vehicles, which is mounted on a wall. A wallbox is the connection between a power outlet and an electric car. The wallbox thus ensures that you can charge 4-5 times faster than at an ordinary household socket.

 

What are the advantages of a wallbox?
  • Safe charging & Shorter charging times
  • Integration of solar power and energy storage
  • Billability
  • Personalizability
  • User management
  • as well as other intelligent functions such as smart home, WLAN, etc.
What are the advantages of a wallbox compared to a conventional socket?

A wallbox offers several advantages over a conventional socket, such as higher charging power, faster charging times and greater safety.  It can also be better adapted to individual needs. For example, with a wallbox, the self-produced solar power that is not used in house can flow into the battery of the e-car and the wallbox can provide charging reports.

Can I install a wallbox myself or do I need a professional?

Depending on the model and manufacturer, wallboxes may have different installation requirements. As a rule, it is recommended to have the installation carried out by a specialist in order to ensure a safe and professional installation. In order to apply for a subsidy in Austria, the test certificate of a licensed electrician is also required, which is another argument in favor of installation by a professional.

 

What do I have to consider when buying my wallbox/charging station?

Depending on the existing household electrical system and the desired electric vehicle, the following parameters must be taken into account: Charging power of the wallbox, charging power of the vehicle, plug type, outdoor suitability of the wallbox, integration into smart home solutions, locking options of the wallbox and integration into billing systems.

How can I charge? How can I start the charging process?

Basically, there are three different ways to get electricity for an electric vehicle at a public charging station:

  • Charging with a charging card: This requires a charging card from a provider such as Shell Recharge, Smartrics or We Charge (from Volkswagen). To charge, simply hold the charging card up to the card reader of the charging station.
  • Charging with an app: There are various apps for the charging process of electric vehicles. The most common apps make it possible to select the desired charging station on the smartphone and to start and end the charging process via it.
  • Charging with a QR code: On some charging stations there is a QR code that can be scanned with a smartphone. You can then start the charging process via the corresponding application.
What is the benefit of a public charging park for me?

A charging park is a publicly accessible facility specifically designed for charging electric vehicles at parking lots or streets. Electric vehicle owners can conveniently charge their vehicles here and do not have to rely on private charging stations or public charging stations elsewhere. A charging park can consist of several charging stations and can be operated by different providers, such as municipal utilities or private operators. The charging parks can also be linked to other service offerings, such as a waiting area or a shopping facility, to make the stay of electric vehicle owners easier and more pleasant.

Can my charging cable be unplugged by others during charging?

No, the charging cable cannot be removed during charging when the car is locked. Unauthorized persons cannot remove the charging cable.

What do we mean by calibration-compliant (eichrechtskonform) and what advantages does it offer?

Since April 2019, public charging stations must charge according to the requirements of calibration law. This means that the e-car driver must be able to see transparently how many kWh he has charged and the value must be measured correctly. Calibration law ensures that the measurement results are not falsified and can also be verified. Conformity with calibration law thus makes the charging process more transparent and safer. The electric car driver is guaranteed to pay only for the electricity that he has actually charged.

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Photovoltaic
What are the advantages of a photovoltaic system?
  • Own power supply
  • High durability
  • Environmentally friendly and sustainable
  • Very low maintenance 
  • Safe investment in the future
  • Enables sustainable mobility
How long does it take to install the PV system?

The installation time for a photovoltaic system varies depending on the size and building environment. It can take 3 days to 3 weeks depending on the system.

What does the power specification "Wp" mean?

Wp is the abbreviation for Watt Peak, which refers to the maximum power that a solar module can achieve under standard conditions.

How many kWh are produced by 1 kWp?

On average, about 1000 kWh per kWp are generated per year. However, this depends on the location (and other factors). Generally, one can assume power generation of 800 to 1200 kWh.

How much electricity does a PV system generate?

The power generation of a PV system depends on various factors, such as the size of the system, the power of the solar modules, the efficiency of the inverters and the local weather conditions. In general, a PV system can produce between 800 and 1200 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year per kilowatt peak (kWp) installed.

Do photovoltaics work even when the sun is not shining?

Basically yes, because a PV system works even without direct sunlight, if it is bright enough. If there are clouds or fog, the system can still use the diffuse radiation to generate clean energy. However, the following applies: The brighter the light- the more electricity a photovoltaic system can generate.

How long does it take for a PV system to pay for itself?

Depending on the location, amortisation is typically between 8 and 13 years. However, this depends on various factors, such as current electricity prices, subsidy levels and feed-in tariffs.

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