The experience behind the handlebars of an electric motorcycle leaves no one indifferent. The acceleration and torque of a Zero Motorcycles is delivered in such a forceful and immediate way that the user has no doubt that they have experienced a ride that is difficult to match, in this regard, by a combustion motorcycle. In addition, they have less impact on the environment by not generating noise.
They also have state-of-the-art technological equipment, a whole array of functionalities, possibilities for customization and adaptation to the user’s needs, as well as their avant-garde connectivity options. However, the questions surrounding the capabilities of electric motorcycles have been disappearing over the years, and perhaps only the doubts regarding the time of recharging remain to be dispelled.
Public and private infrastructures for the supply of electricity are advancing day by day, but they are still not equal to the offer of classic gas stations. Zero Motorcycles Spain wanted to disclose the main keys regarding the facilities that customers of an electric motorcycle currently have, and resolve all those uncertainties that usually influence the purchase decision.
10 Zero Motorcycles tips on recharging our battery
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How many public access charging points are there in Spain?
The supply of publicly accessible charging points in Spain currently stands at 37,876, according to the latest Electromobility Barometer from ANFAC (National Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers), corresponding to the third quarter of 2024. So far this year, 8,575 new points have begun to operate, which represents an increase of 22%, an indicator that progress in electrification continues in Spain.
It should be noted that there are 10,333 non-operational installed points (either because they are in poor condition, damaged or have not yet been connected to the electrical distribution network) which, if functional, would increase the offer to 48,209 points.
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Where are they usually located?
Of the 37,876 publicly accessible charging points, 21,719 are located in urban environments, while 16,154 are interurban points.
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How many are high power?
Of the total public access charging points, ultra-fast charging points greater than or equal to 250 kW reach a total of 974; between 150 and 250 kW, a total of 1,731; between 50 and 150 kW of power, 6,633; between 22 and 50 kW, 1,631 points; and, finally, 71% of the public access charging points in Spain are low power (a total of 26,907), that is, less than 22 kW, and sufficient to charge a Zero to its maximum capacity of 12 kW It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to charge to 95%.
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Which communities have the most charging points?
In Spain, the ranking of autonomous communities with the most infrastructure for public access to electric charging places Catalonia in the lead (with 9,066 points), followed by Madrid (4,985), Andalusia (4,544), Valencia (4,116), Castilla y León (2,546), Basque Country (1,601), Galicia (1,553), Castilla-La Mancha (1,542), Canary Islands (1,540) and the Balearic Islands (1,122).
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How to search and find charging points
To locate charging points for your electric motorcycle, there are currently more and more websites and mobile applications specialized in locating them on a map, both nationally and internationally. In this way, thinking mainly about non-everyday journeys, you can easily find a station where you can plug in your motorcycle. In addition, they offer various information: power and type of connector, cost, schedules and availability in real time, public or private points, route planning, etc.
- Electromaps
- Wenea
- Zunder
- Iberdrola
- Endesa
- Repsol
- A Better Route Planner (ABRP)
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And Google Maps?
Of course, the most popular navigator for mobile devices also allows you to find stations or electric stations to recharge the batteries of your Zero electric motorcycle.
Accessing through the Google Maps application on your mobile or the browser on your computer, simply select the option “Charging stations” in the search filters – within the “Services” category – or directly write in the search bar specific phrases such as “electric motorcycle charging points”, “motorcycle charging stations” or “electric motorcycle charging stations”.
You can also add the city or town where you are located to narrow the search. Next, scroll around the map to examine the different marked charging points, each of which I will provide you with detailed information. You can even save your favorite stations for future searches.
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How long does it take?
Various factors influence the charging duration of an electric motorcycle, mainly the charge level of the battery at the time of plugging it in, the capacity of said battery and the power of the charger. In the case of a latest generation Zero, the times are approximately these. If the plug is conventional or Schuko (Level 1), to obtain 95%, the approximate charging time is just over 4 hours.
If the Level 2 or Mennekes-Type 2 plug type is available, your Zero’s battery will charge in approximately two and a half hours or can be upgraded to charge in approximately one hour. It is the real best electric motorcycle charging solution. Furthermore, this type of plug is the most common: 90% of Europe’s electric vehicle charging network uses this type.
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How much does it cost?
The cost of a recharge will be established based on the electricity rate, which varies depending on the region and the energy supplier, and the total amount of kWh consumed. If the average price of electricity in Spain in 2023 has been 0.23 euros per kilowatt-hour (kWh) using a domestic plug, to fully recharge a 7.2 kWh Zero battery the cost will be €1.65, which would give us autonomy of approximately 105 km
In the case of larger 17.3 kWh batteries, such as those of the DSR/X or SR/F, the cost of a full charge would increase to €3.9, for a range of up to 280 km. Typically, an electric motorcycle could travel 100 km for less than 1 euro.
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More charge and more autonomy
If the Zero Motorcycles models stand out for their performance, both in acceleration and battery capacity and therefore autonomy, the American firm offers the possibility of increasing both the charging speed and the capacity of the batteries through Rapid Charge with 6 extra kW and Power Tank with an additional 3.6 kWh, both optional, offering a maximum charging power of 12.6 kW and a battery capacity of 20.9 kWh.
To install the Rapid Charge and the Power Tank we will have to go to the dealer, although depending on the model, increasing the battery capacity can be done through the Cypher Store with a single click, where you can also purchase more features such as Curve-to-curve navigation.
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Did you know that…?
- 90% of motorcycle trips are within reach of Zero motorcycles.
- Every year charging stations increase by 8%
- There are more than 375,000 L2 (Zero compatible) charging stations in Europe.
- Most owners charge their motorcycles at night in their garage.
