FAQ

General questions

Yes. The rate includes liability and comprehensive insurance with an excess of CHF 1000.00.

Yes. You can take Swiss E-Car vehicles into all neighbouring countries – on condition that you are resident in Switzerland or in the Principality of Liechtenstein.

The range of electric vehicles varies widely depending on the temperature and how the individual driver drives. We choose vehicles with the best possible range, so at least 300 km on a fully charged battery is a realistic estimate for the winter.

The actual range depends on how you drive (speed), ambient conditions and the use of other electrical devices (heating, radio, air conditioning, etc.). Low outside temperatures in particular can have a significant impact on range.

Yes, it’s just quieter and nippier. Please always pay attention to other road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists as they will often not be able to hear you. Be gentle on the accelerator when you start, as the motors in electric vehicles produce maximum torque from the first rev.

Most users find that regenerative braking takes a little getting used to: as soon as you release the accelerator, the vehicle starts to brake.

When you register, you will need to submit a digital copy of your driver’s licence (upload a PDF or photo in the app). You will not be asked for your credit card details until you make your first booking.

Important: please note that for each booking, our payment provider “Stripe” blocks off an additional CHF 50 on top of the anticipated booking cost. What does this mean? Say you reserve a vehicle for 2 hours (= CHF 16). A sum of CHF 66 will be reserved on your credit card, but nothing will be charged or debited.

Only once you have completed your journey will the actual sum payable be charged. In the example above, this would be CHF 16. The CHF 50 are reserved to allow any fines and/or a late return to be charged accordingly.

Your bookings (including previous bookings) are shown in the app and each of your journeys will be listed and charged separately on your credit card bill. There are no additional charges.

The location function (over Bluetooth) must be enabled for the Swiss E-Car app to work. In Android devices, Bluetooth enable requires location enable and the location function must therefore be active. This is down to the operating system and not the app. Location enable is not required for iOS devices.

Registration

It is easy to register with Swiss E-Car. You have two options:

  • The quickest way: download the “Swiss E-Car” app from the app store (Google Play or Apple App Store), register and set up a user account.
  • Alternatively, you can also register and set up a user account in the portal. However, you will still need the Swiss E-Car app to use a vehicle.

What are the requirements for users? What criteria must I meet to rent a vehicle?

  • You have a smartphone (to use the Swiss E-Car app)
  • You are resident in Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein
  • You hold a driver’s licence issued or recognised in Switzerland that has not been revoked or suspended, or lost, at time of the rental.
  • You have a valid credit card with a high enough credit limit for your planned use of the platform
  • You have registered with Swiss E-Car in the app or portal

Unfortunately not. To create a user account, we need a copy of the front and back of your driver’s licence. These data and documents need to be verified before the user account can be confirmed and you can get access to the vehicles. The process can take up to two working days. We ask for your patience.

With Swiss E-Car, you only pay if you actually book a car. The costs for each booking are charged directly to your credit card.

Before a journey

Open the Swiss E-Car app or log into the portal. You will be taken directly to the available vehicles. Select the required vehicle/location and reserve your time slot. Now click “Next“. Confirm that you hold a valid driver’s licence and finalise the reservation by pressing the “Reserve” button.

No, the vehicle immobiliser prevents you from using the car. Please log in through the portal or the app and reserve the vehicle you need. You can then open it simply and easily with the app.

You can unlock the car 30 min before the start of your reservation at the earliest. This is when the system officially allocates you the vehicle. Please note that earlier access does not mean free time. The booking time begins with the start of the booking on your smartphone and ends when you press the “End rental” button.

If you want to start using the vehicle sooner, you can bring forward your reservation on your smartphone or PC.

Yes. Your reservations appear in the booking calendar. Click on a reservation to edit or cancel it.

Please note that certain deadlines apply: cancellations may incur a charge in line with when you cancel (cf. “Fair play and charges”).

Changes or cancellations more than 24 hours before the start of your journey are free of charge. If the change is made up to 6 hours before the start of the journey, we charge a change/cancellation fee in accordance with “Fair play and charges”.

Bookings remain active for 60 min. This means you can access your vehicle up to 60 min. late. After this time, the reservation will be cancelled out of consideration to other users.

The vehicle cannot be rented to other users while your booking is active. If you do not use the vehicle, this a shame for us and for other users who might also have wanted to book the vehicle. We therefore ask you to amend a booking in advance if you know that you are going to be more than 60 min. late.

Failure to collect your reserved vehicle is unfair to other users. As the vehicle was reserved and therefore unavailable to other users, we charge you CHF 5 and an administrative fee of CHF 20 (cf. “Fair play and charges”). The sum is charged directly to your credit card.

You can allow an additional driver to use the car if they meet the same conditions as you (cf. General Terms and Conditions sections 3 and 9). Any additional driver shall not become a party to the rental contract. This means that you, the renting party, remain responsible for compliance with the rental contract and the provisions set out in the General Terms and Conditions.

There are two ways you can book: in the portal on a PC or by smartphone using the app. You need an Internet connection to make your booking. Bookings can be made 5 min or longer in advance.

There are 2 steps to take when you collect the vehicle:

Step 1 (you need an Internet connection for this – Wi-Fi or data connection)

  • Open the app and log in
  • Press “Bookings” and select your current booking
  • Start the booking (press the start button) > The booking is now active (but the vehicle is still locked)

Step 2 (you don’t need an Internet connection for this; the vehicle is unlocked over a Bluetooth connection)

  • Open the vehicle using the app
  • You’re ready to go

Yes. You just have to start the booking in a place with mobile data reception. The digital key is loaded to your mobile when you start the booking, after which you can open the door via Bluetooth without data reception. Should you have any problems, please contact the Swiss E-Car hotline.

There is a charging point with a connector (type 2) at the e-carsharing vehicle parking space. When you come to collect the car, it will be connected to the charging point. You will need to unlock the vehicle in order to unplug the connector.

  • Open the Swiss E-Car app and the current booking under “Bookings” (the app automatically enables Bluetooth so that the vehicle can be opened even in places with no reception or in an underground car park) > Please note that you need an Internet connection for the start of the booking (cf. “Do I need an Internet connection to book and open the vehicle?”)
  • Open the vehicle with the green “Open” button.
  • There is a card to unlock the charging point in the glove compartment or in the centre console. Hold the card over the place indicated on the charging point.
  • Remove the charging cable and place the connector in the bracket at the charging point.
  • You will need to release the lock (with the little button on the handle) to remove the cable from the charging point.
  • Put the card back in the glove compartment.
  • Check the condition of the vehicle (cleanliness, damage, etc.)
  • Answer the questions displayed in the app

Once you have opened the vehicle and disconnected the charging cable, start the vehicle by putting your right foot on the brake, pressing the “Start/Stop” button and moving the gear lever (on the right of the steering wheel in the BMWi3) to the required position.

You open the vehicle as described above. If you need to put things in the boot, you might not start the car immediately. In this case, the time between opening and starting the vehicle was too long. Simply press the “Open” button again and then start the car as normal (depress brake pedal and press the “Start” button).

Before you start your journey, you will be asked whether there is any damage. If there is, it should already have been recorded and documented in the app. If it hasn’t been, please immediately report the damage in the Swiss E-Car app under Damage notification, providing photos and a description.

If necessary (depending on how serious the damage is), please notify the hotline.

Important: please note that for each booking, our payment provider “Stripe” blocks off an additional CHF 50 on top of the anticipated booking cost. What does this mean? Say you reserve a vehicle for 2 hours (= CHF 16): A sum of CHF 66 will be reserved on your credit card, but it will not be debited.

Only once you have completed your journey will the actual sum payable be charged. In the example above, this would be CHF 16. The CHF 50 are reserved to allow any fines and/or a late return to be charged accordingly.

Your bookings (including previous bookings) are shown in the app and each of your journeys will be listed and charged separately on your credit card bill. There are no additional charges.

During your journey

Yes, you can extent your reservation using the smartphone app – provided no-one else has booked the vehicle right after you. Open the current booking, press “x” (button on the right-hand side) and select “Extend rental”.

Yes. The best route is to change or end your reservation in the smartphone app.

Forward planning is good and respects other users. However, please don’t plan too far in advance. If you end your rental period too early, we will charge a small fee (cf. “Fair play and charges”).

If the battery goes flat for any reason, please contact the hotline. You will find the number to the right of the steering wheel or in the information pack in the glove compartment.

Please note that we will pass on the tow costs and charge an administrative fee if the issue is the customer’s fault (cf. “Fair play and charges”).

Simply set the gear lever to “P” (park) and press the start/stop button. The vehicle can be closed and later opened again with the app. “Close” and “End rental” are two different processes. Use “Close” if you just want to park the car for a while and use it again later.

For vehicles from our partner Rentra AG, please do not use the car key in the vehicle for opening and closing the vehicle. As the car is operated through the app, using the key during your rental can cause problems with the booking (with opening and closing the vehicle, ending the rental and billing). Please always use the app to open and close the vehicle.

  • Unexpected delays are always possible. However, please try to return the vehicle on time. We suggest factoring in an extra half-hour when you plan your booking.
  • If you are delayed (traffic jam, breakdown, etc.), please contact the hotline.
  • You can use your smartphone to extent the booking if no-one has reserved the car after you.
  • Extend your reservation if subsequent bookings allow, as charges start to apply if you are 5 min. late to return the vehicle (cf. Fair play and charges).

All of our vehicles have a type 2 connector (AC charging) and a CCS connector (DC charging). Nearly all charging points have a type 2 connection, so you will be able to charge the car at most charging points in Switzerland and in neighbouring countries. The CCS connector is for use at rapid charging points (located mainly on “Nationalstrasse” main roads).

You can use any public charging point with a type 2 or DC (CCS) connection.

There are a number of online maps that give you a good overview:

Our rates include the electricity costs for charging the vehicle at our designated site (“home” charging point).

The customer is responsible for charging and charging costs incurred during their journey.

If you need to charge the vehicle during your journey, you can do so at an AC (type 2) or DC (CCS connector) public charging point.

We recommend registering with and using evpass.ch charging network (www.evpass.ch or app) and/or Swisscharge so that you can find charging services on the road.

Registered evpass and/or Swisscharge customers can pay using SwissPass.

There is a charging cable in the boot or under the bonnet in case a charging point does not have a charging cable and connector. Under the bonnet you will also find an emergency charging cable (type 12) for charging from a standard domestic socket. This cable should only be used in emergencies.

The customer is responsible for charging and charging costs incurred during their journey.

Please check for charging points on your route before starting long journeys. Information is available at:

https://swisscharge.webapp.virtaglobal.com/

https://www.evpass.ch/Map

www.ich-tanke-strom.ch

https://www.goingelectric.de/stromtankstellen/

https://www.gofast.swiss/standorte

https://www.plugsurfing.com/map

There is an evpass/Swisscharge charging card for emergencies in the glove compartment. If you use this card, the costs will be charged to you.

Open the electric car’s port cap. Take the charging cable from the charging point and insert it firmly into the port. If there is no charging cable at the charging point, please take the cable from the boot and connect it to the car and the charging point. Follow the instructions displayed on the charging point.

The customer is responsible for charging and charging costs incurred during their journey.

After your journey

Swiss E-Car is a site-based carsharing system for electric vehicles. This requires reserved parking spaces and the necessary charging infrastructure. The vehicles must therefore always be returned to the collection point and connected to the charging point. You must connect the charging cable so that the car is fully charged for the next user.

The information pack in the glove compartment contains a number of “no parking” notices. Please attach these to the front windscreen of the vehicle in question. Park the carsharing car at a charging point or a parking space close by if possible, and contact our hotline.

Please leave the car clean and take all your personal belongings with you. Check that the charging cable is correctly connected and that the vehicle is charging. Finally, please also check that the car is locked.

Vehicle return:

1. Park the vehicle in the e-carsharing parking space and engage the handbrake.

2. Connect the e-carsharing charging point connector to the vehicle.

3. Start charging at the charging point using the card in the centre console.

4. Check that charging is in progress – blue battery symbol or blue LED.

5. Do not forget to return the card to the vehicle (centre console).

6. Close the vehicle using the app and end the booking.

All these points are also set out in the guide.

Once you have returned the car to the original site and connected it to the charging point, you can close the vehicle using the Swiss E-Car app and end the booking with the “End rental” button.

More information can be found in the “Guide” PDF. Please do not forget to return the charging card/charging badge to the car.

Vehicles from our partner Rentra AG: please place the car key in the car so that the next person can use the vehicle.

Yes. Unlike when you stop off on your journey, you need an Internet connection (wireless LAN or data connection) and an active Bluetooth connection to end the booking.

As when you start a booking, you need a connection to the server and thus to the Internet.

Open the port cap, like the fuel cap on a petrol or diesel vehicle, and insert the charging point cable into the port. Activate the charging point with the card you will find in the car (centre console). Blue LEDs or a blue battery symbol will light up on the charging point display. Please check the car display to see if the car is really charging.

Please note: In the BMWi3, the LED around the port cap will also light up in blue.

More information can be found in the “Guide” PDF.

Please make sure that the charging cable is correctly connected and the vehicle is actually charging. In the BMWi3, the LED strip around the port cap lights up in blue.

Swiss E-Car vouchers

Vouchers can be purchased both by private individuals and by companies/local authorities.

Yes. You decide on the number of vouchers and their value – this way, you can also buy the right voucher for your needs.

If you purchase multiple vouchers, you will receive a CSV file with the bill with the codes for each voucher. These codes can then be shared and redeemed as required.

Vouchers can currently only be purchased by credit card. We are working with the app creator to add a SEPA option as soon as possible.

No. You do not need to be a registered user to purchase a voucher. Whoever is redeeming the voucher, however, will need a Swiss E-Car account.

Vouchers are valid for 3 years from the date of purchase.

As soon as the user has entered the voucher code in their personal account and activated it, they can access the amount under “Purse”.

They can then make a reservation following the usual procedure. The new field “Voucher” appears at the reservation and payment stage, and the customer can select “Pay for booking with purse”.

Important: the customer still needs to save a credit card. A sum of CHF 100 (cf. FAQs) will still be reserved in the system as for every booking. If the voucher credit is not enough to cover the CHF 100, the sum will be reserved on the saved credit card.

What to do in the event of damage

Please contact the hotline if you cause damage and report the damage in the Swiss E-Car app under “Booking” > “x” button (on the right-hand side) > Damage notification including descriptions and photos.

Many thanks for your assistance.