General terms and conditions of use for the CONNECT charging network

The general terms and conditions of use (GTCU) form the foundation for access to and use of charging stations in the charging network of GP JOULE Connect GmbH (hereafter ‘CONNECT’), where users can charge electric vehicles. Users access the CONNECT charging network via the ‘CONNECT Charge’ app (hereafter ‘app’) and the CONNECT charging card (hereafter ‘charging card’).

§ 1          Terms of use of the app

(1)          The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play and can be used after the user has agreed to the terms of use stated here. The app may not work with the operating systems of older smartphones.

(2)          CONNECT may update these terms of use from time to time. Updated terms of use shall be deemed accepted by the user when the user performs the first loading process after the terms of use have been updated.

(3)          When registering in the app, the user provides an email address and shares contact details such as first name, surname, country and, optionally, a phone number. The user then receives a registration email with a confirmation link. Alternatively, it is possible to register with a phone number. In this case, a verification code is sent by text message. After the user has verified the registration, they are automatically logged into the app and agree to the validity of these GTCU. CONNECT points out that assigning a password increases the security of the user account.

(4)          The user has the option of storing a payment method in the app. Among other things, the user can store, view and manage payment methods, charging cards and vouchers in the app. In addition, the user can search for and filter charging stations, mark them as favourites and view statistics on charging behaviour. The app can be used to view charging processes carried out at the domestic wallbox (if applicable) and in public areas and to export them for a freely definable period of time. These are made available to the user by email. In addition, the user can make changes to personal data and delete the user account.

(5)          The app itself does not sell or distribute energy. The app merely offers the user access to charging stations for the purpose of carrying out and billing a charging process. The app itself does not process any monetary transactions.

(6)          Use of the app is considered at all times to be the user's acceptance of the conclusion of a contract for the purchase of charging current between the user and CONNECT or its service provider.

(7)          The user can terminate use of the app at any time by deleting their user account in the app.

§ 2          Provision of charging cards

(1)          Upon request, CONNECT will provide the user with a charging card (RFID card). The charging card is an additional authentication medium for the app and provides access to all charging stations displayed to the user in the app. The charging card is the property of CONNECT. It is non-transferrable. CONNECT reserves the right to charge a one-time fee for providing the charging card.

(2)          If the user stops using the CONNECT charging network, they also lose their authorisation to use the charging card. The user must dispose of the charging card properly or return it to the following address for recycling:

GP JOULE Connect GmbH
c/o Customer Care
Cecilienkoog 16
25821 Reußenköge
Gemany

The user must bear the costs of returning the card.

§ 3          Access to and use of charging points in the CONNECT charging network

(1)          The user is given access to all charging stations, including roaming, that are displayed in the app after logging in with their user account, provided that an active payment method is stored in the app and subject to functionality and availability.

(2)          To authorise charging processes at the charging stations of the CONNECT charging network, the user identifies themselves at the respective charging station using the app or charging card, selects a stored payment method and thereby activates the charging point for charging an electric vehicle.

(3)          To ensure that the payment method is valid, CONNECT or its service provider reserves the right to temporarily withhold an amount.

(4)          The actual charging capacity of the electric vehicle depends on several factors, such as the technical condition of the vehicle, the battery level and the charging capacity of the charging station, whereby the component with the lowest common denominator determines the power that the electric vehicle can absorb. CONNECT can therefore not guarantee that the user's electric vehicle can be charged within a minimum/maximum power range.

(5)          CONNECT does not operate all charging stations itself. If another operator of a charging station is in the CONNECT charging network, CONNECT has contractually ensured the user's access to and use of such charging stations.

(6)          The respective owners of the charging stations in the CONNECT charging network are responsible for ensuring that the charging stations comply with the applicable standards, laws and regulations.

(7)          CONNECT cannot guarantee the continuous availability and functionality of the charging stations; the user has no right to be able to charge at a specific charging station at a specific time. The user can see the availability of the charging station in the app. If a charging point is out of service for a longer period of time, this will be displayed in the app.

(8)          If the user has a home charging station operated by CONNECT, there is the option, after a case-by-case review, to integrate it into the app and, apart from the charging card, to also start charging processes there via the app.

§ 4          Fees, price agreement

(1)          A charging process is generally subject to a fee and is based on the tariffs of the charging station owners. The pricing model for the respective charging process is displayed in the app for each specific charging point before a charging process is started. Prices are always to be understood as including VAT.

(2)          If a user stores a voucher code in the app, a different price may apply at the charging stations assigned to the voucher, which may, for example, enable free or discounted charging. The prerequisite for this is the addition of an active voucher code in the app. However, voucher codes may be limited to a certain number of users, meaning that under certain circumstances, active voucher codes can no longer be added or activated by the user in the app because the maximum number of users has already been reached.

(3)          As a rule, costs are incurred for each charging process based on the amount of electricity charged, the charging time or a combination of these two values. In addition, fees may be charged, for example, for starting a charging process.

(4)          Each charging process that is carried out on the basis of an authorisation with the app or the charging card will be billed via the payment method selected for this charging process. By starting the charging process, the user accepts the respective price model displayed in the app for the charging point concerned.

(5)          The user is hereby informed that CONNECT does not assume any liability for charging processes at third-party charging points.

(6)          CONNECT charges a service fee of €10.00 (ten euros) for return debits due to insufficient funds or other reversals.

§ 5          Billing and payment methods

(1)          CONNECT generally bills on a monthly basis and, depending on the selected payment method, possibly through a service provider. CONNECT is entitled to determine different billing periods, in particular to bill individual charging processes directly after completion.

(2)          The user has the option of selecting a payment method in the app. In principle, adding a payment method in the app is only intended for users who also receive the invoice for the charging process. If the invoice is paid by a third party, the user can find all the relevant information for adding a payment method in the letter that they received before or together with the first charging card from CONNECT.

(3)          Invoices are due for payment 10 days after receipt of the request for payment and are to be paid without deduction. The timeliness of the payment is determined by the value date on the account of CONNECT.

(4)          The user consents to electronic billing. After each charging process, the user receives a receipt with information on the amount of electricity charged and price details, which can be found in the app. The invoices are made available to the billing recipient by CONNECT or an external service provider by email.

§ 6          User's duties of care, cooperation and notification

(1)          The user is responsible for the proper use of the access data for the app and the charging card. They are to be stored by the user with particular care to prevent them from being lost or misused. If the user discovers misuse or any other unauthorised use, they must inform CONNECT immediately. CONNECT will then block the affected charging cards or access to the user account without delay. In addition, the user has the option of assigning a new password and deactivating the charging card in the app themselves at any time.

(2)          CONNECT can require the user to confirm the blocking in writing and to report the incident in the event of theft.

(3)          Until CONNECT informs the user about the loss or unauthorised use of the user account or charging card, the user shall be liable for any costs incurred by further use.

(4)          The user is not liable for damages caused by unauthorised use of the app or charging card by others if the user can prove to CONNECT that the app or charging card has been misused by others and that the user, after becoming aware of or suspecting the misuse, has done everything possible to limit the damage, including immediately blocking the charging card.

(5)          The user is responsible for complying with all guidelines and requirements in accordance with the applicable CONNECT terms of use. This includes responsibility for ensuring that the electric vehicle that the user charges using the app or charging card meets all requirements for proper charging.

(6)          Unless otherwise agreed with CONNECT, the user is not entitled to transfer their rights and obligations under these terms of use to another person or otherwise to assign them or have them assigned.

§ 7          Accessibility and communication

(1)          When registering, the user enters an e-mail address or telephone number. CONNECT can send the user legally relevant declarations regarding the establishment, execution or changes.

(2)          The user must immediately change or notify CONNECT of any changes to the name, e-mail address or telephone number that ensure access to the user account, or to the payment methods.

§ 8          Exemption from liability

(1)          In the event of an interruption or irregularities in the electricity supply or the communication link, as well as in the event of a technical defect in a charging station, the operator or CONNECT is exempt from liability insofar as the consequences of a disruption in the operation of the power grid, including the grid connection, the mobile network or the charging station, are concerned.

§ 9          Liability

(1)          The liability of the parties and their agents and assistants for culpably caused damage is excluded, unless the damage was caused intentionally or by gross negligence; this does not apply to damages resulting from injury of life, limb or health, or the culpable violation of essential contractual obligations, i.e. such obligations whose fulfilment is essential for the proper execution of the contract and on whose compliance the contractual partner may regularly rely (so-called cardinal obligations).

(2)          CONNECT is not liable for the operational readiness of the charging stations in the CONNECT charging network, the functionality of the app and charging card, or the billing by external service providers. Furthermore, CONNECT is not liable for damages resulting from an incompatibility between the user's vehicle and the charging station.

(3)          In the event of a breach of material contractual obligations not based on intent or gross negligence, liability shall be limited to the damage that the liable party foresaw as a possible consequence of the breach of contract when the contract was concluded or should have foreseen, taking into account the circumstances that it knew or should have known.

(4)          The provisions of the Product Liability Act shall remain unaffected.

§ 10          Withdrawal of the right of use, termination without notice

(1)          In the event of repeated default in payment by the user or if the amount cannot be collected due to insufficient funds in the user's bank account, CONNECT is entitled to block the use of the app and/or charging card and to withdraw the user's access to the charging stations in the CONNECT charging network. Claims will be asserted within the scope of the applicable law. In doing so, non-enforceable claims that the user has conclusively objected to, or that are not yet due due to an agreement between CONNECT and the user, or that result from a disputed price increase by CONNECT that has not yet been legally upheld, will be disregarded.

(2)          The use of the app and/or the charging card can be blocked for good cause, as can access to the charging stations in the CONNECT charging network. Good cause shall be deemed to exist in particular in the event of a default in payment under the conditions set out in paragraph 1.

As of: April 2024