FAQS
Etecnic answers the most frequently asked questions about electric mobility
Frequently asked questions about electric mobility from members of the Etecnic community
This 2026, move towards a more sustainable future by recharging your vehicle with Etecnic chargers and enjoying the advantages of electric mobility, a fundamental pillar in the transformation of transport for environmentally conscious users.
Etecnic not only promises to revolutionize the way we recharge our vehicles, but also how we understand and interact with electric mobility. Discover the most frequently asked questions from the Etecnic community users.
How can I recharge my electric vehicle?
Charging your vehicle is simple. At Etecnic, we offer several options.
📲 With the EVcharge App
The first and most commonly used option is the EVcharge App, which will guide you through the charging process. It works for both free and paid charging points.
The app is intuitive and easy to use, with clear instructions and frequently asked questions available on its website for any doubts.
- Open the App, register, fill in your vehicle’s information, and search the map to find an available charger nearby.
- Drive to the charger, plug one end of your cable into your vehicle and the other end into the charger.
- Once connected, start the charging session through the App by following the prompts, based on your selected time or energy amount. While your car recharges, you can track the progress in real time via the App, see remaining time, check if anyone is waiting, etc.
The EVcharge App doesn’t work on just any charger—only those managed by Etecnic or listed in the EVcharge App (which already total over 9,000 chargers). You can find all available charging locations in the “charging map”, one of the most visited sections of the EVcharge App.
🔑 With the EVcharge Key Fob
You can also opt for a key fob available on the EVcharge website or through the App. It works exclusively at charging points managed by Etecnic, priced at €19.95 (shipping and VAT included).
Simply tap the key fob against the charger after plugging the cable into your car, and charging will start automatically. Charging will proceed at maximum speed or limited if the local council has preset limits. To stop charging, just tap your key fob on the charger again.
What type of connector do I need to charge my car?
In Europe, virtually all current electric cars use two connectors: Type 2 for standard and semi-fast AC charging, and CCS Combo for fast and ultra-fast DC charging.
The CHAdeMO connector, more common in older Japanese cars, is increasingly less common. If you have any doubts about your vehicle’s connector, you can find it in the manual or the manufacturer’s spec sheet.
Do I need to install a charger at home, or can I use a standard socket?
You can occasionally charge with a standard socket (Schuko type), but it is not recommended for daily use: it charges very slowly and strains an electrical installation that is not designed to handle maximum power for so many consecutive hours.
A wallbox charges faster, is safer, and is specifically designed for this purpose. If you plan to charge regularly, installing one is worth it.
What do I need to install a charging point for electric vehicles?
For this reason, through Etecnic360, we carry out engineering projects and provide preliminary consultancy to assess the needs of each location, determine the best places to install charging points and define the most suitable solution. Based on this analysis, we establish the type of charger, the power output, the necessary electrical safeguards and the management system required.
Proper planning from the outset ensures safe, efficient operation that is ready for future expansion.
What power rating should I choose for a charger?
The power rating of a charging point will depend on the intended use of the installation, the time available for charging, the type of vehicle and the available electrical power.
Installing a more powerful charger is not always the best solution. Some vehicles have a charging power limit, and furthermore, a higher-power installation may require additional electrical work that is not always necessary.
As a guide, these are the most common power ratings:
- 7.4 kW (AC): recommended for homes, small businesses and long-stay car parks. It allows you to regain approximately 35 to 50 km of range for every hour of charging.
- 11 kW (AC): one of the most commonly used options in businesses and private car parks. It offers a good balance between charging speed and installation cost.
- 22 kW (AC): suitable for public car parks, hotels, shopping centres or businesses where vehicles remain parked for several hours.
- Between 50 and 150 kW (DC): designed for locations where waiting times need to be significantly reduced, such as service stations, commercial fleets, high-turnover car parks or roadside charging points.
- Over 150 kW (DC): recommended for long-distance charging corridors, service stations and locations with a high turnover of vehicles.
The choice should always be based on actual usage requirements and the characteristics of the electrical installation.
How long will it take to fully charge my car?
The answer depends on your vehicle model, battery capacity, the type of charger used, as well as the time or energy you have chosen for charging. From the EVcharge App, you can know at any time how long it will take to complete the charge. However, you can decide to stop it whenever you want (you will only be charged for what you have actually recharged).
Etecnic’s fast or ultra-fast chargers (>100kW) can significantly reduce charging times, providing a quick and efficient charge. Generally, you can expect your car to be fully recharged in a few hours.
Broadly speaking, the following scenarios can be considered:
- Home charging (up to 7.4 kW): this usually takes place overnight and can take between 6 and 10 hours to fully charge a battery, depending on the vehicle.
- Semi-fast charging (between 11 and 22 kW): this allows a significant portion of the range to be restored over several hours and is common in businesses, hotels, car parks and public spaces.
- Fast charging (between 50 and 150 kW): for many vehicles, this allows the battery to reach approximately 80 per cent in around 30–60 minutes.
- Ultra-fast charging (over 150 kW): some compatible vehicles can regain hundreds of kilometres of range in around 15–30 minutes.
The charger’s maximum power does not guarantee that the vehicle will always charge at that rate. The car regulates the amount of energy it can accept at any given time to protect the battery, particularly when the charge level approaches 80–100 per cent.
What factors affect the range of an electric vehicle?
The real range of vehicles depends on driving style: aggressive driving can drain the battery 30% faster than calm driving, as well as on the vehicle’s weight. In fact, average consumption varies between city and highway driving—just like in combustion vehicles—with pure electric cars typically around 21 kWh per 100 km.
Take, for example, the best-selling car in Spain in 2023: according to the renowned EV-database website, this high-performance vehicle features a usable battery capacity of 75 kWh, which gives it an estimated range of around 360 km.
Do I have to charge my electric car to 100 per cent to avoid damaging the battery?
Not at all. The lithium-ion batteries in electric cars do not have a “memory effect” like older batteries, so you don’t need to charge them to 100% to prevent capacity loss.
In fact, for daily use, the exact opposite is usually recommended: keep the charge between 20% and 80%, and save 100% for long trips where you need the full range. The exception is LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, which are becoming increasingly common and tolerate frequent full charges well — in their case, it is even beneficial to reach 100% occasionally so the car can accurately calculate the remaining range.
If you don’t know what type of battery your vehicle has, you can check the manual or ask the manufacturer.
Can I charge my electric car if it’s raining or the weather’s bad?
Yes, absolutely. Charging points and connectors are designed and certified to operate outdoors, featuring weather-sealing against water and safety systems that automatically cut off power in the event of any anomaly.
This is one of the most common myths about electric vehicle charging, but charging in the rain is just as safe as plugging in any household appliance.
Is it more expensive to maintain an electric car?
On the contrary: an electric car is usually cheaper to maintain. It has far fewer moving parts than an internal combustion engine vehicle — it doesn’t have engine oil, a clutch, a gearbox, a turbo, or injectors, so there is much less that can wear out or fail.
Additionally, regenerative braking (where the electric motor slows the car down while using that energy to recharge the battery) means the brakes wear out much more slowly, making them last significantly longer between replacements.
En resumen: cuantas menos piezas mecánicas tiene un vehículo, menos revisiones y sustituciones necesita a lo largo de su vida.
How much does it cost to charge my electric car?
It depends on where you charge, your electricity tariff, and the size of the battery. As a general rule of thumb, charging at home during off-peak hours is usually the most economical option; charging at public fast-charging stations tends to cost more per kWh, as you are also paying for the convenience of speed. To calculate the approximate cost of a full charge, simply multiply the battery capacity (in kWh) by the price per kWh of your tariff or the charging point you use.
How do you pay for a recharge?
The payment method will depend on the operator of the charging point. Currently, most stations allow you to start and pay for charging via a mobile app, an RFID card, a QR code or directly by bank card using a payment terminal (POS).
At charging points managed by EVcharge, users can register for free on the app and link a payment method to start their charging sessions quickly and securely. Once charging is complete, the amount is automatically charged according to the rate set by the operator, and users can view their session history and download receipts for each charge directly from the app.
Whilst your car is charging, you can use the app to monitor the progress of the session: how long it has been running, how much energy has been charged and how much it is costing. You can also stop the charge whenever you like, either via the app or at the charger itself.
When the session ends, the corresponding amount is charged automatically. You can then view your previous charges and download the receipt via the app.
What’s more, EVcharge gives you access to different charging points from a single app, without having to register on a different platform each time.
At how many charging points can I use the app?
At Etecnic, we’re working to ensure you can find and use an ever-increasing number of charging points via a single app. In Catalonia, Etecnic is the market leader with over 4,700 charging points in local councils and public administration, and has also installed points at private businesses such as petrol stations, car parks and hospitals… And across Spain, Etecnic is the third-largest operator of charging points, behind the energy companies. You’ll always find us where you need us most.
In the world of electric mobility, every small step counts. From the conscious choice to buy an electric vehicle to using an efficient and environmentally friendly charging system, everything contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable future. At Etecnic, we’re proud to be leading the way, offering you the tools and information you need to make your electric vehicle experience an integral part of your daily life.
This year, put your worries about charging your new electric car behind you and enjoy the driving experience with innovative solutions such as the EVcharge app and the EVcharge key fob. Etecnic is not only making electric vehicle charging more accessible and convenient, but is also empowering users to take a more active role in preserving our planet.
If you have any further questions, we’re sure we’ve already answered them in our FAQs section, which you can find via the following link: https://evcharge.net/en/faqs/
If not, please get in touch and we’ll be delighted to answer your questions!
What should I do if a public charging point isn’t working or is in use?
From the EVcharge app, you can check in real time which charging points are available and find a nearby alternative. If the faulty point belongs to the EVcharge network, you can report the issue directly through the app: we provide remote assistance to resolve or manage the problem as quickly as possible.
