EV Charging in Apartment Block Underground Car Park

All Skoda Enyaq related discussions
zen-yak
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2021 11:17 am

Post by zen-yak »

Hi Everyone,
I have been undertaking the task of understanding how to provide EV charging to our underground car park.

At the moment the Easee Charge unit looks ideal as it allows us to install the infrastructure and then let residents upgrade the charger to be operational as they buy an EV.

However, for this to work the system requires communications. At the moment the car park is a dead space so I need to install either broadband so that wifi can be used or a mobile signal booster to allow for mobile communications. (Government regulations only allow one network signal to be “boosted” and this would be the strongest available after the external antennae is installed – so no choice).

I asked the Skoda helpline if they could tell me if the e-sim in the Enyaq will connect to any mobile signal or if it is tied to just one provider. Unfortunately they have no knowledge of this (not sure why its called a helpline) but said that their communications partner is Cubic Telecom and they would be able to explain everything. I tried calling them but they do not answer, but looking at their website they seem to only be the company that sells extra service – payment on a monthly or yearly basis for possibly extra in-car mobile broadband (for downloading films for our great-grandchildren etc).

I wonder if any of you lucky owners actually driving an Enyaq have any idea what mobile carrier the car is using, or in fact is it using any available carrier. As I’m sure you’ve gathered I can’t progress the installation until I can rule in/out mobile comms.

Any help & advice would be much appreciated.
1965-69: Austin A35/Ford Consul
1969-75:Fiat 500/Hillman Hunter
1975 Alfa Romeo Veloce
1980-84:Mk3 Cortina/Escort
1986 - Vauxhall Astra
1990-04:Ford Granada
2004-11:VW Transporter/Scudo/Dispatch
2014 - Skoda Superb
2017 - Skoda Superb

Goaty
Posts: 1576
Joined: Sat May 22, 2021 3:27 pm

Post by Goaty »

/\ you might get some assistance from PodPoint; not specifically Enyaq-carrier related but they provide a lot more than just ‘house’ domestic charge points - and as a UK based company who actually do appear to answer their phones, they might be able to advise something specific for multi-occupancy locations such as yours (I’m making the assumption you’re based in the UK?).

Best of luck !
iV80 Loft, Black, 21” Betria, 125kW, Climate Plus, Asst Drive Basic. Tethered PodPoint. Ordered May 2021. Delivered Nov 2021. Regrettably returned Jan 2024 (Company car. Changed jobs).
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RichR
Posts: 1918
Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2021 11:53 am
Location: South end of North Yorkshire

Post by RichR »

You don't need the Enyaq to connect to any network (mobile or wifi) whilst charging, it just means you can't use the mobile phone app - which probably a lot of people aren't using anyway (as not everyone has a smartphone).

Once you're out of the carpark and have mobile signal again, the Enyaq will be able to connect and use the online services (eg traffic congestion on the maps, updates, Laura ;) etc).

If the charger needs to connect to the internet so it can upload its status, then I'd say wifi is a better bet.
Enyaq iV 80 Sportline, Energy Blue, Assisted Drive Plus, Infotainment Plus, Convenience Plus, Comfort Seat Plus, Transport Pack, Heat Pump, ME3.2, Built Nov 2021.
zen-yak
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2021 11:17 am

Post by zen-yak »

Installing a mobile booster only has the installation cost, whereas contracting to fibre broadband involves a monthly charge in perpetuity. Plus it would be certainly more convenient for residents to “talk” to their car for charging schedules, preheating etc.
So I need to find out about the Enyaq mobile signal before I rule it in or out. So any knowledge from drivers about networks actually used by the Enyaq would be great, thanks
Incidentally, the Skoda expert stated that Skoda had not decided yet if after the three year free period they are going to charge for connected services, and if they do he did not know if it was for everything or just some of them!!
1965-69: Austin A35/Ford Consul
1969-75:Fiat 500/Hillman Hunter
1975 Alfa Romeo Veloce
1980-84:Mk3 Cortina/Escort
1986 - Vauxhall Astra
1990-04:Ford Granada
2004-11:VW Transporter/Scudo/Dispatch
2014 - Skoda Superb
2017 - Skoda Superb
zen-yak
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2021 11:17 am

Post by zen-yak »

Sorry, should have said - I'm in the UK
1965-69: Austin A35/Ford Consul
1969-75:Fiat 500/Hillman Hunter
1975 Alfa Romeo Veloce
1980-84:Mk3 Cortina/Escort
1986 - Vauxhall Astra
1990-04:Ford Granada
2004-11:VW Transporter/Scudo/Dispatch
2014 - Skoda Superb
2017 - Skoda Superb
Perchede
Posts: 444
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:09 pm

Post by Perchede »

zen-yak wrote: Fri Sep 03, 2021 5:48 pm Installing a mobile booster only has the installation cost, whereas contracting to fibre broadband involves a monthly charge in perpetuity. Plus it would be certainly more convenient for residents to “talk” to their car for charging schedules, preheating etc.
So I need to find out about the Enyaq mobile signal before I rule it in or out. So any knowledge from drivers about networks actually used by the Enyaq would be great, thanks
Incidentally, the Skoda expert stated that Skoda had not decided yet if after the three year free period they are going to charge for connected services, and if they do he did not know if it was for everything or just some of them!!
IV Remote services are given a validity date of 10 Years from Activation. Infotainment Online is valid for three years. I believe that software updates and MySkoda use IV remote Services.
You can display the validity for your vehicle using MySkoda - Select the Enyaq and use Service Overview.
IV60 Energy Blue, Loft, Matrix LED Lights, Drive assist+, Parking Assist+, HUD, Transport, Comfort, Tow bar. Schneider EV Link charger, 7000 Govt Grant - France, Delivered June 21.
BioHzrd
Posts: 624
Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2021 3:14 pm
Location: Scotland

Post by BioHzrd »

PodPoint offer a system called an Array that allows up to 28 chargers to be supplied from a single system that then auto balances the load across a three phase supply.

The units can be set as just a simple "Plug & Play" with no need to use the PodPoint app to activate a charge or they can be set up like other Pods out in the wild.
60 Loft, Parking Basic Package, Moon White

I’m a @TentBox Ambassador. Ask me anything about TentBox! 😃

Might work for a well know charging company 😉

Electrician - 18th Edition & 2391-52 Qualified - Over 18 years, so I know what I'm talking about 😂
zen-yak
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2021 11:17 am

Post by zen-yak »

Thanks for the info BioHzrd. Had a quick look at the Pod Point website - it looks like it allows for 3 double chargers on each phase of a three phase supply - we have 25 apartments!
However, we have already decided to go with the Easee Charge system- it seems to suit our purposes and they've been very helpful handholding through the process. We have, of course, had to put the project on hold until the Government announce the actual details of the changes in grants which will be directed towards apartment blocks and away from individual house chargers.
All that said, what I'm hoping for is that some of the lucky owners could tell me if the Enyaq communicates with only one of the mobile networks or just selects the strongest signal available at any time. Thanks in advance.
1965-69: Austin A35/Ford Consul
1969-75:Fiat 500/Hillman Hunter
1975 Alfa Romeo Veloce
1980-84:Mk3 Cortina/Escort
1986 - Vauxhall Astra
1990-04:Ford Granada
2004-11:VW Transporter/Scudo/Dispatch
2014 - Skoda Superb
2017 - Skoda Superb
BioHzrd
Posts: 624
Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2021 3:14 pm
Location: Scotland

Post by BioHzrd »

zen-yak wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:04 am Thanks for the info BioHzrd. Had a quick look at the Pod Point website - it looks like it allows for 3 double chargers on each phase of a three phase supply - we have 25 apartments!
However, we have already decided to go with the Easee Charge system- it seems to suit our purposes and they've been very helpful handholding through the process. We have, of course, had to put the project on hold until the Government announce the actual details of the changes in grants which will be directed towards apartment blocks and away from individual house chargers.
All that said, what I'm hoping for is that some of the lucky owners could tell me if the Enyaq communicates with only one of the mobile networks or just selects the strongest signal available at any time. Thanks in advance.
The limit of 3 twin units per phase is incorrect. PodPoint would carry out a survey and advise on all requirements but if you've chosen your route best of luck.
60 Loft, Parking Basic Package, Moon White

I’m a @TentBox Ambassador. Ask me anything about TentBox! 😃

Might work for a well know charging company 😉

Electrician - 18th Edition & 2391-52 Qualified - Over 18 years, so I know what I'm talking about 😂
zen-yak
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2021 11:17 am

Post by zen-yak »

Hi BioHzrd,
Oops!
I found this diagram on the Pod-point website datasheet and thought it meant a total of 24 x chargers altogether. Sorry

podpoint three phase.JPG

1965-69: Austin A35/Ford Consul
1969-75:Fiat 500/Hillman Hunter
1975 Alfa Romeo Veloce
1980-84:Mk3 Cortina/Escort
1986 - Vauxhall Astra
1990-04:Ford Granada
2004-11:VW Transporter/Scudo/Dispatch
2014 - Skoda Superb
2017 - Skoda Superb
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