How to charge an electric car whilst travelling: a comprehensive guide with Zunder and MEC

Travelling in an electric car no longer means constantly worrying about range. If you’re wondering how to charge an electric car whilst travelling, the answer is simpler than you might think, thanks to the expansion of fast-charging networks.

Travelling long distances is becoming easier and easier, especially if you use a vehicle from MEC electric carsharing. In this guide, we explain how to find a charging point, what type of connector your vehicle needs, how charging works with Zunder, and what benefits you get when travelling with a MEC car.

What is Zunder and how do you charge an electric car whilst travelling using its app?

If you want to know how to charge an electric car whilst travelling, having a fast-charging network and an intuitive app can make all the difference. Zunder is one of Europe’s leading ultra-fast charging networks. It has over 1,500 of its own charging points spread across Spain, Portugal and France, as well as offering access to more than 800,000 chargers throughout Europe.

Using the Zunder app, MEC users can easily locate the nearest charging points, check their availability and plan their journey stops in advance. From within the app itself, it is possible to filter chargers by the type of connector compatible with the vehicle and access Zunder stations or those of other operators available across Europe.

This integration makes travelling by electric car more convenient and safer, with the peace of mind that there is always a charging point nearby whenever you need it.

Plan how to charge your electric car before setting off on your journey

The best way to enjoy a journey in an electric car is to plan where you’ll be recharging. Although the range of electric vehicles has improved significantly, knowing the location of charging points will allow you to optimize your route and reduce waiting times.

If you’re travelling with MEC Carsharing, planning is even easier thanks to the integration with Zunder, one of the leading fast and ultra-fast charging networks in southern Europe.

With Zunder, you can locate nearby charging points, check charger availability and plan your stops both in Spain and across much of Europe.

Plan your route and your charging stops, ensuring your vehicle maintains a minimum charge level of 20 per cent; this margin will allow you to find a charging point with peace of mind and without any stress.

How do you find a charging point and charge your electric car on the road using the Zunder app?

From the MEC app, you can access the Zunder app directly to find the charger that best suits your route. Simply follow these steps:

How to charge an electric car with Plug & Charge: even more convenient

The Nissan ARIYA, MICRA and TOWNSTAR models feature Plug & Charge technology at Zunder’s own charging stations. This means that you simply need to connect the vehicle to the charger for the charging session to start automatically at Zunder stations, without the need for cards or apps. It’s a much quicker and more convenient way to recharge whilst travelling. (this feature will be available soon)

Frequently asked questions about charging an electric car whilst travelling

How much does it cost to charge a MEC car during a booking?

One of the main advantages of using MEC is that charging is included in your booking rates. This allows you to travel as many kilometres as you need without incurring any additional cost for the energy consumed on the Zunder network.

Furthermore, if, at the start of your booking, the vehicle does not have enough charge to complete your journey, you can carry out a quick top-up before setting off. The time spent charging will be financially offset by an amount equivalent to up to 1 hour’s booking time.

What should I do when returning the vehicle to the car park?

When your booking ends, simply reconnect the car to the charger at its parking space. You do not need to return the vehicle with a minimum battery level, but it is important to check that charging has started correctly.

In the vehicles, the blue indicator light shows that the car is charging.

What happens if the car has a low battery charge when my booking starts?

You can go to the nearest fast-charging point and top up the battery before starting your journey, or during your trip. The time spent charging will be offset financially by an amount equivalent to up to 1 hour’s booking time.

What should you do if your electric car has a low battery charge and you don’t know how to charge it?

You should call the MEC Customer Service on +34 934 216 155; we’ll help you find the nearest charging point and explain how to charge using Zunder.

How should you plan your charging stops along your route?

If you’re thinking of taking your next trip in an electric vehicle, planning your charging stops will be as simple as opening the app, locating the nearest charger and continuing to enjoy the journey.

Plan your route, ensuring you maintain a minimum of 20 per cent battery charge wherever possible; with this margin, you’ll have a pleasant journey.

How should you activate Zunder chargers?

Activate the charger using the ZUNDER key fob, which you’ll find next to the car key or in the card holder in the glove compartment. Then, follow the instructions that appear on the charger’s screen.

If you encounter any issues with activation or whilst charging, call ZUNDER ASSISTANCE on +34 979 300 500; they will help you resolve the issue.