Target Audience
This article is relevant for the following audience:
- TRONITY Driver App | Fleet Participants
- TRONITY Fleet | Fleet Managers
This article is not relevant for:
- TRONITY Driver App | End Consumers (B2C)
- TRONITY Driver App | Logbook Users
Question
What is the TRONITY Charging Unit (TCU) and what benefits does it offer?
Answer
The TRONITY Charging Unit (TCU) is a calculation model within the TRONITY solution designed to present charging processes as realistically and transparently as possible. It ensures that charging information is calculated based on relevant factors. The TCU serves as the basis for calculating reimbursements for home charging.
How does the TRONITY Charging Unit work?
The calculation in the TCU is based on an algorithm that considers various influencing factors. These factors determine how the energy flow during charging is composed. The calculation is based on vehicle data that TRONITY receives from the vehicle manufacturer. The calculation is performed based on the change in battery level during charging. It is supplemented by considering additional factors to depict the total energy flow as accurately as possible:
- Onboard Charger: The charger installed in the vehicle affects how efficiently it charges.
- Temperature: External temperatures impact the charging process.
- Driving Behavior Before Charging: Whether the vehicle was driven before charging plays a role.
- Battery Degradation: Over time, the battery loses capacity, which is also considered.
By combining these factors, the TCU provides a realistic depiction of the individual charging process.
Why is the TRONITY Charging Unit important?
With the TCU, you receive realistic charging information that considers additional technical conditions to calculate reimbursement amounts for home charging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which energy components are included in the charging calculation?
When charging the battery, only the energy required to charge the battery itself is taken into account. Additional energy consumption from climate control functions such as heating, cooling, or battery preconditioning is not included in the calculation.
Do I need to actively set up the TRONITY Charging Unit?
No. The calculation is performed automatically in the background and is an integral part of the TRONITY solution in the fleet context.
Can I adjust the TCU factors myself?
No. The factors are based on scientific sources (e.g., studies and technical data sheets) as well as proven algorithms to ensure consistent comparability.
Important Notes and Terms
Onboard Charger: The charger integrated into the electric vehicle that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for the battery.
Battery Degradation: The natural aging process of a battery, during which its maximum storage capacity decreases over time.
The “TRONITY Charging Unit (TCU)” used in the TRONITY context should not be confused with the “Telematics Control Unit (TCU)” commonly found in vehicles as a hardware component for data communication. The TRONITY Charging Unit is not a physical device, but a software-based calculation model operating in the background of the TRONITY solution to provide accurate and transparent estimations for home charging events.