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Loading flap: Left rear is often impractical

Drivers of electric cars are familiar with the problem: charging sockets and charging points sometimes don't quite match up. Vehicles in which the socket is located at the rear of the body can have particular problems when it comes to charging on the road: The cable has to be pulled around the entire car, is often stretched, and the flap and cable often protrude into the road. The ADAC has now looked at the position of the charging flap in 235 vehicle models (157 of which are currently still available) and found six different places where manufacturers have fitted the socket.

The connection for the charging cable is most frequently found on the rear passenger side (86 vehicles, 37 percent), followed by the rear driver's side (65 vehicles, 28 percent) and the front driver's side (41 vehicles, 17 percent). So-called nose chargers, which have the charging connection in the middle of the front, come in fourth place with nine percent of all models surveyed (20 vehicles).

The charging flap on the passenger side proves to be practical in most cases. Especially when charging in public spaces, when the parking spaces are parallel to the road, the cable can be plugged in here without any problems and, unlike the charging flap on the driver's side, does not protrude into the road. However, access to the connection can be somewhat more difficult, especially in narrow garages where parking is close to the wall; vehicles with the socket on the driver's side have an advantage here.

Fast-charging stations are usually installed at right angles to the road and are often located between two parking spaces. They offer optimum connection options for vehicles with a plug at the front. If the socket is attached to the side of the car, it is sometimes necessary to maneuver and possibly park in reverse. Depending on the available parking space, the heavy DC charging cable may have to be plugged in under tension or may be too short.

The ADAC advises prospective e-car buyers not to disregard the position of the charging flap when making a purchase decision. Particularly if there is no wallbox yet, you should check where the charging station can be easily positioned at your home before buying. With a view to vehicles purchased in the future, wallboxes should always be installed in such a way that, ideally, as many different charging flap positions as possible can be conveniently reached.

If you mainly charge at public charging points in urban areas, you should opt for a vehicle with a power connection on the passenger side. Regardless of this, customers should preferably buy a longer charging cable. The automobile club recommends seven to eight meters. (aum)

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Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Photo: Autoren-Union Mobilität/ADAC

Download:


Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Photo: Autoren-Union Mobilität/ADAC

Download:


Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Photo: Autoren-Union Mobilität/ADAC

Download:


Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Photo: Autoren-Union Mobilität/ADAC

Download:


Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Photo: Autoren-Union Mobilität/ADAC

Download:


Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Rear or front, left or right: there are different positions for the charging flap on the electric car.

Photo: Autoren-Union Mobilität/ADAC

Download: