FAQ
Overview
- What is the ChargePoint Network?
- How do I find a ChargePoint Charging Station?
- Can I request a charging station to be installed near me?
- How do I access the charging station to charge my electric vehicle?
- How much does it cost to use a ChargePoint Charging Station?
- Who sets the price to access ChargePoint Charging Stations?
- How do I obtain, or activate a ChargePass card?
- How do I pay for access to a ChargePoint charging station with my ChargePass card?
- Do I get a discount for using my ChargePass card?
- What can I do with my ChargePass Account?
- What are Notifications and why are they important?
- How are Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Savings computed?
- Is the network Open?
What is the ChargePoint Network?
The ChargePoint Network is the world’s most advanced and easy to use electric vehicle-charging infrastructure. Electric vehicle charging is delivered via ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations which cover the entire range of Level I, Level II, and Level III electric vehicle charging needs. ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations are located where you work, shop and play worldwide.
How do I find a ChargePoint Charging Station?
All ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations can be located from anywhere you have Internet connectivity using mychargepoint.net. The portal’s map displays all charging stations located near an address location that you specify. Charging stations are color coded to show you which charging stations are available or in-use. You can also trip-map charging stations along your desired route.
Can I request a charging station to be installed near me?
Absolutely! ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations are being installed everywhere. If you don’t find a charging station near your favorite commute route, shopping or work location, let us know by clicking here.
How do I access the charging station to charge my electric vehicle?
The ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations can be easily accessed with any of the following options:
- ChargePass RFID-based Smart Cards
- Contactless Credit Cards, such as MasterCard PayPass™, Visa payWave®, etc. (coming in July 2010)
- Phone call to the customer service number on every ChargePoint charging station
Additional forms of access will be supported in the future.
How much does it cost to use a ChargePoint Charging Station?
Until July 2010, access to all public ChargePoint Charging Stations continues to be free. Stations may be accessed for free by calling the toll-free number located on every charging station or by activating a ChargePass RFID-based Smart Card.
Starting in July 2010 owners of ChargePoint Charging stations will have the option to set a fee for accessing their stations.
Who sets the price to access ChargePoint Charging Stations?
Starting in July 2010 the owners of ChargePoint Charging Stations (Hosts) will control the fees (if any) to access their stations. Prices will appear on the station display and on the Google maps found at mychargepoint.net.
How do I obtain, or activate a ChargePass smart card?
A ChargePass card may be obtained for a small fee by creating an account on-line at mychargepoint.net. Creating a ChargePass account will allow the ChargePoint Network to notify you by text message or E-mail when your vehicle is completely charged or if your charging session is interrupted for any reason such as a GFCI fault or disconnected cable. Today, for a limited time, stations may be accessed for free.
How do I pay for access to a ChargePoint charging station with my ChargePass card?
After July 2010 you will log into your account and provide a credit card number that will be billed to keep your ChargePass “filled up”. You will select an initial fill up amount and then each time you use the card your account will be debited for the ChargePoint station access fee. When your account runs low, your account will automatically be refilled by billing your credit card. The refill amount will be automatically adjusted over time to match your usage so as to require only one credit card billing per month.
Do I get a discount for using my ChargePass card?
Definitely. Using your ChargePass card will earn you a 10% discount when compared to using a regular credit card at that station. In addition, ChargePass card holders can choose to be notified by the network when their vehicles are fully charged, or when a fault occurs with the vehicle preventing it from fully charging.
What can I do with my ChargePass Account?
Your ChargePass Account allows you to tailor ChargePoint Network electric vehicle charging services to your needs. For example, the ChargePoint Network can notify you by text message or E-mail when your vehicle is completely charged or if your charging session is interrupted for any reason such as a GFCI fault or disconnected cable. With your ChargePass account you can adjust your notification settings, edit your account profile, or access billing and energy savings summaries.
What are Notifications and why are they important?
Notifications help you stay aware of your electric vehicle charging status at all times. The following Notifications are available via SMS, E-mail, or both:
- Vehicle Fully Charged: The power drops below a pre-configured threshold, which indicates that the battery is fully charged
- Plug Out Detected: Someone removed the cord from the Vehicle or the charging station. This immediately ends the session. The cord remains locked inside the charging station until you use your card to retrieve it.
- GFCI (Ground Fault Current Interrupt) Trip: Occurs when the station detects a problem with the vehicle's battery charging circuit or the cord connecting the vehicle to the charging station. The station will retry after a 15min countdown, but give up after three occurrences. If you receive this notification, please contact the manufacturer of your vehicle, or the company that did the conversion, as it may indicate a problem with the charging circuit or the battery in the vehicle.
- Over current: The vehicle is trying to draw more current than allowed. The station will cut off the power and, as in the case of GFCI, retry after a 15min countdown. If you receive this notification, please contact the manufacturer of your vehicle, or the company that did the conversion, as it may indicate a problem with the charging circuit or the battery in the vehicle.
How are Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Savings computed?
Coulomb uses EPA estimates to derive a formula relating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Savings to the amount of energy delivered to the vehicle from the charging station. The following estimates are used in the calculations, with references:
- Driving an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle emits 8.8 kg CO2/gal (19.4 lbs CO2/gal). [1]
- The US Passenger Car average efficiency for ICE vehicles is 23.9 mi/gal (mpg) [2]
- An Electric Vehicle (EV) has an average efficiency of 5.0 mi/kWh. [Note: This is a Coulomb estimate based on data for several types of Electric Vehicles.]
- Electricity generation, for the mix consumed in the CAMX (WECC California) region, emits 0.49 kg CO2/kWh (1.08 lbs CO2/kWh) [3]
- CO2 is 95% of GHG emissions [4]
Combining these numbers yields 1.42 kg/kWh (3.13 lbs/kWh) of GHG Savings for the CAMX (WECC California) region. Future releases will allow for customization of the GHG formula to reflect regional differences in electricity generation.
Absolutely! The ChargePoint Network is open to all drivers, all electric vehicle types and all ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations from any manufacturer.
