4 Main Challenges for Electrical Automotive Drivers Heading North

Heading north in electrical automobiles has these days grow to be a focus for native drivers. Nonetheless, even in the event you win the fortunate draw, full the applying course of and car inspection, and buy insurance coverage, in case you are driving an electrical automotive, you’ll face one other problem: the charging requirements in Hong Kong and the Mainland are totally different, requiring the acquisition of adapters. Usually, electrical automobiles can solely journey about 200-300 km on a full cost, and contemplating a spherical journey on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) will complete 110 km, the remaining energy could also be insufficient. Subsequently, most homeowners have to cost their automobiles someplace alongside the journey. On this Kwiksure article, we’ll have a look at the 4 main challenges (charging adapters, discovering charging stations, discovering parking areas, dealing with accidents) that electrical automotive drivers want to concentrate to when heading north.

1. Completely different Charging Requirements in Hong Kong and the Mainland, Drivers Have to Buy Adapters Themselves

Charging requirements might be divided into alternating present (AC) and direct present (DC), as proven within the desk beneath.

At present, most electrical automobiles in Hong Kong use European customary charging plugs Kind 2 / CCS 2. Nonetheless, in Mainland China, each DC and AC charging use the Chinese language Nationwide Commonplace (GB) and no adapters are supplied, that means that Hong Kong electrical automobiles can not instantly use Mainland charging amenities, whether or not it is charging poles in procuring malls, car parking zone charging stations, or Tesla’s V2/V3 tremendous charging stations. To resolve this downside, automotive homeowners might want to convey their very own adapters in Hong Kong.

AC Kind 1 Charging Plug

AC Kind 2 Charging Plug

DC CHAdeMO Charging Plug

DC CCS2 Charging Plug

2. Which Charging Adapter Ought to Tesla Electrical Automotive Homeowners Purchase Earlier than Heading North?

Tesla’s Official GB AC Adapter (solely relevant to Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y)

Tesla Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y homeowners should purchase Tesla’s official “GB/AC adapter” for HK$3,200. When utilizing an AC medium-speed or customary wall-mounted charging system in Mainland China, this adapter can be utilized by connecting one finish to the Tesla charging port and the opposite finish to the Chinese language GB customary medium-speed charging plug. Nonetheless, due to the medium-speed charging, it’ll take not less than 5-6 hours to completely cost.

Tesla’s Official GB DC Adapter (solely relevant to Mannequin S and Mannequin X)

Tesla’s official GB DC adapter is at present solely obtainable for Mannequin S and Mannequin X. In different phrases, Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y at present can not use DC fast-charging poles and Tesla’s V2/V3 tremendous charging stations within the Mainland. The Tesla GB DC adapter can be priced at HK$3,200, however Tesla customer support has said that there’s at present no inventory of GB DC adapters in Hong Kong and Mainland China, and it isn’t identified when they are going to be obtainable once more.

Because the official adapter is out of inventory, must you buy third-party charging adapters? Our consultants at Kwiksure strongly advise in opposition to doing so as a result of the security of third-party adapters is questionable, and it’s tough for car homeowners to confirm the so-called “security certifications.” If, ultimately, saving a couple of thousand {dollars} results in a breakdown of an electrical automotive price lots of of 1000’s, that might be an actual tragedy.

3. Troublesome to Discover Charging Stations in Mainland China/Zhuhai?

Mainland Chinese language automotive homeowners usually use the Amap navigation app. By looking for “charging stations” on Amap and choosing “charging energy” from the filter, then selecting “sluggish charging” (as the present adapter solely helps sluggish charging), you will discover the areas of close by charging stations. The charging charges, real-time utilization data, and parking charges on the charging stations are additionally displayed. Furthermore, you may filter particular charging pole manufacturers primarily based in your wants.

Total, there’s a excessive focus of charging stations in downtown Zhuhai, however charging stations are comparatively rather more scarce within the western and northern elements of Zhuhai. Subsequently, it is suggested that automotive homeowners plan prematurely when and the place to cost, particularly when touring throughout cities or areas, to keep away from difficulties find charging stations on longer journeys.

Listing of Main AC Sluggish-Charging Stations in Zhuhai

4. The right way to Discover Parking House in Mainland China?

At present, there are three frequent conditions with parking in Mainland China:

1. Newer massive procuring malls in Mainland China can normally acknowledge Hong Kong and Macau license plate numbers.
2. Some parking tons have QR codes on the entrance, and drivers have to scan the QR code utilizing WeChat and enter as if their automotive was with out license plates.
3. Some parking tons have employees or contact telephone numbers on the entrance, which drivers can name to have the gate opened.

Nonetheless, there are additionally some car parking zone techniques that don’t acknowledge Hong Kong license plate numbers, leading to drivers having to park at roadside meters. The Transport and Logistics Bureau is at present discussing doable methods to enhance car parking zone techniques in Mainland China with related Mainland authorities.

5. What to Do in a Automotive Accident in Mainland China?

Dealing with automotive accidents within the Mainland differs barely from dealing with accidents in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, it is suggested that drivers report the accident to the police as quickly as doable and inform their insurer inside 48 hours. In Mainland China, along with calling the general public safety bureau, drivers must also instantly notify their insurer.

The mechanisms in Mainland China are comparatively less complicated. Site visitors police on the accident scene will decide legal responsibility on the spot. If each events agree, they are going to proceed with the compensation course of. In any other case, the case will likely be appealed to the court docket.