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Charging

What you really need to know about charging an electric car

When it comes to charging an electric car, you’ll find all the information you need to know right here!

First of all, along with your electric Opel, you’ll get a mode 3 charging cable, suitable for wall boxes, meaning you’ll be in a position to safely charge straight away. 

 

For all the information you need on charging, you’ve come to the right page. We’ll give you advice on cables, wall boxes and even tips on managing your wall box charging times. At the end you’ll see: Electric driving is great fun – and charging your car, is as easy as charging your smartphone.

The right cable for you

You have different options, from ready-to-use possibilities at home to high speed charging at direct current charging stations

Ready to go: your household socket   

1,8 kW

 

Charging at your normal household socket is the easy solution: no installation is required. It is a super flexible solution as you find household sockets everywhere. Please contact your local Opel Dealer for more information.

 

Communication between vehicle and charging port is provided by the so-called In-Cable Control Box (ICCB), which assures charging safety

 

But be aware that the typical charging speed is approx. 10 km range per one-hour charging time1. So, for a regular charging of your electric vehicle we always recommend one of our wall box solutions.

 

This charging solution is the right one for me if…

 

  • I need a backup solution, in case I cannot find a public charger, at a friend’s home, etc.
  • I have a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), that can be charged overnight2
 
Enhanced domestic charging: green’ up system by legrand 

3,7 kW

 

The Green’ up Socket by Legrand is an enhanced domestic socket that provides twice the charging speed (approx. 20 km range per one-hour charging time1) than the basic domestic cable (Mode 2 Cable) on a normal socket.

 

However, it also needs an enhanced domestic cable to provide the additional performance when connected to this socket3. Together it assures it’s maximum power and guarantees rapid recharging and secure mode without overheating.

 

This charging solution is the right one for me if…

  • I am typically daily driving range is well below 200 km.
  • I mainly charge my vehicle elsewhere e.g. at your work.
  • I have a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) that can be charged in about 4 hours2.
Accelerated charging: at home or on the go

7,4 kW / 11 kW

 

Want to charge fast and convenient at home? Then a wall- or pole-mounted charging station is the right solution for you.

 

Opel offers different types of wall boxes and smart wall boxes, both matching the Onboard Charger (OBC) of your car: single – or three-phase.

 

The wall box usually comes with a fixed mode 3 charging cable. It is the same that can be used to charge at public AC Chargers. For on the run you should then get a portable one as well!

 

This charging solution is the right one for me if…

  • I regularly charge my electric vehicle at home or on the run.
  • I need to recharge daily distances over night
The allrounder: universal charger

1,8 kW to 11 kW

 

With the Universal Charger you can do it all: charging via household socket, industrial socket (installation of socket necessary) and public AC chargers.

 

It provides a charging performance of up to 11 kW (approx. 60 km range per one-hour charging time), however it requires the availability of a three-phase socket at home (CEE16). When connected to regular household sockets it has the performance of the Mode 2 cable.

 

Tip: The universal charger can also be used to charge in foreign countries!
Adapters for different sockets types are available in the Opel+ Online Accessories Catalogue.

 

This charging solution is the right one for me if…

  • I conveniently charge over night at home.
  • I usually travel within the range my electric vehicle provides and most of the time just charge at home.
  • I leave the Universal Charger at home and use it like a wall box.
  • I occasionally want to drive longer distances, taking the Universal Charger with me and am ready to charge wherever I find a matching socket.
  • I want to or have to charge on the move regularly we recommend a stationary wall box at home and a lightweight Mode 3 charging cable on the move.

 

1 Value refers to the Corsa-e. The charging time depends in particular on the power of the charger on board the vehicle, the charging cable and the type and power of the charging station used. Please contact your dealer for further information about the NEDC and WLTP measurement methods*.

 

2 Value refers to the Grandland Hybrid4. The charging time depends in particular on the power of the charger on board the vehicle, the charging cable and the type and power of the charging station used. Please contact your dealer for further information about the NEDC and WLTP measurement methods*.

 

3  When connected to a regular household socket the Enhanced Domestic Cable has the same performance as the Mode 2 Cable.

 

4 The Combined Charging System (CCS) plug is an enhanced version of the type 2 plug, with the addition of two power contacts that provides a faster charging."

Set up a wall box for your electric car

If you have an electric car the most convenient way to charge at home is a wall- or pole-mounted charging station. These so-called wall boxes perfectly fit to the vehicle and charge your electric car faster than using a regular domestic socket

Wall boxes are very straight forward in their usage, coming already in a ready-to-use autostart modus. The more advanced smart wall boxes are also very easy to handle, but have more features going beyond pure charging. Together with a smart wall box App charging becomes a more professional experience as it allows you to benefit from services such as reportings, scheduling balance loads, managing different users and remote maintenance.

 

At Opel, we offer different types of wall boxes and smart wall boxes. Here we will help you pick one that best suits your needs, taking into account what fits best to the onboard charger of your vehicle, the electric phases and the charging speed.

The wall box portfolio

1-phase / 3,7 & 4,6 kW or 7,4 kW

3-phase / 11 kW

 

The ideal solution for your Opel electric vehicle, available as 1-phase or 3-phase version. Of cause you can also charge your 3-phase car with a 1-phase wall box, but you need to compromise on the speed of charging. For a faster solution we can also offer you a dedicated 3-phase wall box.

 

This is the right one for me…

 

  • If I charge regularly at home.
  • If additional features beyond charging are not important for me.

 

 

 

The smart wall box portfolio

1-phase / 7,4 kW

3 phase/ 11 kW or 22 kW

 

Ideal for those who share the wall box, want to keep track of energy spendings and manage them according to the different needs. Get complete control via smart wall box App. Available for 1-phase or 3-phase usage, too.

 

This is the right one for me…

 

  • If I want additional features beyond charging like reporting and remote maintenance.
  • If the wall box is shared, and I want a complete report of individual power usage.

 

Subsidies for wall boxes

Switching to electric pays off : You do not only benefit from government subsidies for buying or leasing an electric car, but you will also get support for the wall box.

 

Learn more

 

Charging times

Compare the charging times of different cables and wall boxes

The range figure mentioned comply with the WLTP test procedure, on the basis of which new vehicls are type approved from 1 September 2018. They may vary depending on actual conditions of use and on different factors such as: speed, thermal comfort on board the vehicle, vehicle load, driving styles, the starting charge of the battery, outside temperature and accessories fitted (post registration). The charging time depends, in particular, on the power of the charging station used. These values are communicated for purely indicative purposes and therefore has no general value. Please contact your dealer for further information. For more information please visit https://www.wltpfacts.eu/.

Installation

After choosing the wall box that’s best for you, we can help you get it installed

 

Let’s get started

Visit your local dealer and learn more.