1
kWh: the amount of energy
Battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). It can be compared to the size of a fuel tank in a combustion-engine car: it indicates how much energy the battery can store.
EV Guide
EV Guide
Understanding electric cars.
Range, battery, charging, consumption, kW, kWh… Discover the essential concepts you need to understand, choose and use an electric car in everyday life.
01 The fundamentals
kWh, kW and consumption: three key concepts.
These terms may sound technical, but the basic principles are simple. Three concepts are enough to understand the essentials.
2
kW: power
A kilowatt (kW) measures power. When charging, it indicates both how much power a charging station can deliver and how much the car can accept.
3
kWh/100 km: energy consumption
This figure indicates how much energy is required to travel 100 kilometres. It is the electric equivalent of litres per 100 km.
Remember: kWh = amount of energy · kW = power · kWh/100 km = energy consumption.
02 Understanding charging
From a household socket to rapid charging.
At home, at work or on the motorway, the principle remains the same: transferring energy to the battery. The main differences are the available power and the type of current used.
1
Household socket
A slow charging solution, mainly suitable for occasional charging or when the vehicle remains parked for a long time.
2
AC charging
The most common solution for charging at home, at work and at many public charging points. The maximum charging power depends, among other things, on the vehicle's onboard charger.
3
DC rapid charging
Primarily designed for journeys and long-distance travel. With DC charging, energy is supplied directly to the battery. The charging cable is generally attached to the charging station.
03 Rapid charging
A 350 kW charging station does not mean your car will charge at 350 kW.
The charging station indicates the maximum power it can provide. The car determines how much power it can actually accept at any given moment.
The charging power can vary depending on the vehicle, the battery's state of charge and its temperature.
A car limited to 130 kW connected to a 350 kW charging station will not exceed 130 kW.
Why do manufacturers often quote 10–80%?
Charging power does not remain constant all the way to 100%.
Low state of charge
When the battery has a low state of charge, the car can generally accept high charging power if conditions are favourable.
Optimal charging range
During part of the charging session, power can remain high and relatively stable.
Approaching 80%
As the battery fills, charging power will generally begin to decrease.
Approaching 100%
The final percentage points are generally much slower. This is one of the reasons manufacturers commonly quote a 10–80% charging time.
Preconditioning the battery before rapid charging
A battery needs to be within a suitable temperature range to accept high charging power. On vehicles equipped with battery preconditioning, selecting a rapid charging station in the built-in navigation system can allow the car to prepare the battery thermally while driving to the charger. This is particularly useful in cold weather.
04 Charging in Switzerland
Find a charger, plug in and pay.
Switzerland has an extensive network of public charging points. Depending on the charging station and service used, there are several ways to start and pay for a charging session.
Mobile app
Many charging services provide an app that can be used to locate charging points, view available information and start a charging session.
RFID card or tag
An RFID card or tag can provide access to different charging networks, depending on the roaming agreements offered by the provider.
Direct payment
Some charging stations also allow direct payment without requiring a subscription beforehand.
Plug & Charge
With compatible vehicles, charging stations and contracts, Plug & Charge allows the vehicle to identify itself automatically once it is connected. Authentication and billing can then take place automatically through the charging contract configured for the vehicle.
Good to know: the price of a charging session can vary depending on the operator, charging station, contract or charging service used. It is therefore worth checking the applicable price before starting a session.
05 Long journeys
Travel electric without planning every stop yourself.
On a long journey, charging simply becomes part of the trip. Built-in navigation systems and EV route planners can determine where to stop and how long to charge.
1 — Destination
Simply enter where you want to go.
2 — Route calculation
Depending on the system, the calculation may take into account energy consumption, battery level, terrain, temperature and available charging options.
3 — Charging stops
The route planner can suggest which charging stations to use, the estimated battery level on arrival and how long you need to charge before continuing.
On a long journey, the objective is not necessarily to leave every charging stop with 100%, but to have enough energy to reach the next stage efficiently.
06 Everyday driving
A different way to drive.
Switching to electric does not only change the way you refuel. It also changes several aspects of the driving experience.
Regenerative braking
When the vehicle slows down, the electric motor can recover some of the energy and return it to the battery.
One-Pedal Driving
On vehicles equipped with this function, lifting off the accelerator can produce strong deceleration and, depending on the system, may bring the vehicle to a complete stop in many situations.
Instant torque
An electric motor can deliver its torque very quickly, resulting in smooth and responsive acceleration.
A different type of drivetrain
An electric car does not require engine oil changes, spark plugs or an exhaust system. However, this does not mean it requires no maintenance. Tyres, brakes, filters, air conditioning and other components still need to be maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Vehicle taxation varies by canton
Motor vehicle tax varies from one canton to another. Different rules may apply to electric vehicles depending on the canton and vehicle. As reductions, exemptions and calculation methods can change, it is advisable to check the current rules directly with the relevant canton.
07 Electric driving in winter
What happens to range in cold weather?
In cold weather, the range of an electric car can decrease. A cold battery operates less efficiently, while some of the available energy is also used to heat the passenger compartment and, depending on the vehicle, the battery itself.
The extent of the reduction depends on factors including the vehicle, outside temperature, type of journey, speed and use of the heating system.
Heat pump: On some vehicles, a heat pump can heat the passenger compartment more efficiently and may help reduce energy consumption in cold weather. Whenever possible, preheating the vehicle while it is still plugged in allows some of the initial heating energy to come from the electricity grid rather than the battery.
08 Practical
What is a frunk?
The word frunk combines the English words front and trunk: a storage compartment located at the front of the vehicle.
The architecture of an electric car allows some manufacturers to free up space beneath the bonnet and use it as additional storage.
Its size varies considerably between models. Some electric cars do not have one at all, while others offer a substantial additional luggage compartment.
A frunk can be particularly useful for storing charging cables without taking up space in the main boot.
From theory to practice
Now find the electric car that's right for you.
You now understand the key concepts: battery capacity, energy consumption, charging, range and everyday EV use. Auto Elec Compare lets you explore these specifications for electric cars available in Switzerland and compare them more easily.
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