Integrator FAQ
We always try to explain our features and functionalities in as much detail as possible. But sometimes we still get questions from developers. That's why we decided to answer the most frequently asked questions in this section, and hopefully help you out!
Car
Is it possible to reduce the image file size?
We provide thumbnail and high-resolution files only. The client side is responsible for scaling the high-resolution image if needed.
Do you recommend using the chargetripRange field instead of WLTP?
Both wltp and chargetrip_range are estimates. WLTP is a testing cycle that car manufacturers use and their estimation is usually high. ChargetripRange comes from our own research. We recommend it, of course, but ultimately it’s up to you!
What is the difference between car and carPremium?
carPremium shows you all data we have on the cars in our database. It also allows you to cache this car data.
Stations
Can I see alternative stations along a planned route?
Yes. While our route calculates the best charging stations for you and your car — you can also view alternative stations. Simply add the stationsAlongRouteRadius flag to your newRoute mutation, and set the search radius in meters (the max is 5 km). Make sure to also add stationsAlongRoute to your route query. For more information, please see our documentation and examples.
Do you also show the station ID from the station database provider?
Yes. We show an external ID next to the Chargetrip ID. You can find it under the external_id property. We receive this ID from an external data source.
What do you define as slow, fast, and turbochargers?
- Slow: < 43 kW
- Fast: 43 kW - 150 kW
- Turbo: 150 kW >
Why is the availability UNKNOWN?
Unknown appears when we do not know the status of a charger. It could be free, busy or broken.
Why do you only consider fast and turbochargers in your routing?
When calculating routes we only include chargers of 43 kW or more. This reduces charging time and thus creates faster routes.
Which connector types are available?
You can find a list of all connectors in our schema, under OCPIConnectorType. The list updates when new connectors become available.
Do you have different levels of preferred operators?
Currently, we have one level of preferred operators. All operators added here are equally preferred. Please contact us to mark certain operators as preferred.
Why do I not see the name of my company’s (CPO) charging stations?
Charging station names flow from our station database. They receive these names either from the CPO itself or an intermediate party. Unfortunately, we’re not able to change the names of stations.
Routes
Can I show alternative routes?
Definitely. Just add alternatives to your route query, with all the parameters you want from your alternative routes. For more information, please visit our examples.
How do I share a route calculated with the Chargetrip API to a navigation application?
A route calculated with the Chargetrip API can be exported to any navigation application. You must export the charging stations as waypoints. Google or similar navigation software will then display the charging stations as waypoints along the route.
Why is my desired final state of charge not reached on my route?
When calculating your journey, we find chargers along the route to meet your desired final state of charge best. However, sometimes we are not able to find a station close enough to fulfill your request. For example, that can happen when chargers are too far away from the route.
How can I best decode a polyline?
There are different tools available online. In the examples, we use the Mapbox polyline package. It is essential to look at the order in which latitude and longitude are returned. In some cases, you might need to flip the coordinates before plotting them on your map.
Is it possible to avoid toll roads when requesting a route?
No, this isn’t supported yet. But we’re working on it!
Can I add a waypoint to my route?
You can add waypoints to your route by adding the via property to your route request. For more information, please take a look at our documentation.
Do you recommend using a subscription or a query for routes?
We recommend that you subscribe to route updates, and unsubscribe when a route has reached a final status. For more information, consult our documentation and examples.
Do you account for traffic in your route calculations?
We do not take traffic into account when calculating routes. The impact of traffic on your consumption is minimal.
Tile Service
Can I build an MVP without using Chargetrip’s tile server? We don’t want to use Mapbox.
Yes, this is possible! However, we strongly advise you use our tile server. We’re not legally allowed to expose large datasets from our partner EcoMovement, because it would let users of our API scrape the station data. So premium data like address and plug type isn’t exposed unless you query a single station with the station ID.
How do I filter stations?
You can add a set of filters to the tile request. These filters are sent as query parameters. To request a tile you must have a combination of connectors and powers. For more information, refer to our examples and documentation.