The ABC of EV charging: helpful tips for every driver

The basics of EV charging

Charging zone, station, or point — What’s the difference?

1. Charging zone: a location equipped with one or more charging stations. Examples include supermarket car parks or motorway service areas.
2. Charging station: a piece of equipment connected to an electrical supply that enables the charging of one or multiple cars, depending on the number of charging points it has.
3. Charging point (EVSE): a single charging outlet that allows just one electric vehicle to charge at a time and is usually paired with a dedicated parking space.

Number of sockets ≠ Number of charging points

A charging station that is equipped with several types of sockets and/or tethered cables with connectors (as is the case for fast charging) does not necessarily mean it has an equivalent number of charging points. Different socket formats are provided to suit various electric vehicle models.

Simply put, a single charging point (EVSE) may have several sockets but can only charge one electric vehicle at a time.

Example: A station with two charging points might each offer a domestic socket and a Type 2 socket. While there are four sockets in total, only two vehicles can charge simultaneously at this station.

If in doubt, you can check the availability of compatible charging points with the Chargemap Pass directly on the Chargemap app.

Download your Chargemap app ⬇️

Simultaneous charging = lower power output?

Let’s consider a theoretical example:

• A charging station provides 22kW of power in alternating current (AC).
• Two vehicles connect to the station.
• The station distributes the available power between the two points, supplying 11kW to each vehicle.

Be aware, however, that all of this is very theoretical.

Bear in mind that when you connect to a station with two charging points already occupied by another vehicle, the charging speed will likely be reduced.

Additionally, remember to consider other factors that can impact the charging power and time for your electric vehicle.

Public charging stations are generally equipped with multiple types of connectors to support a variety of compatible vehicles. What are these connectors? ⬇️

Connectors and Sockets

• Type 1: an older standard, it is now rarely used in Europe and is primarily found on older electric vehicle models.
• Type 2: the most common standard in Europe for AC charging. It supports charging up to 22kW in three-phase and is the type of connector most frequently found at public charging stations.
• Combo CCS: a connector that combines a Type 2 socket with an additional connector for fast DC charging. This is the standard for most European electric cars that support fast charging.
• CHAdeMO: a Japanese standard designed for fast DC charging. Its use is declining in Europe as Combo CCS becomes more prevalent.
• Domestic socket: suitable for slow charging at home but limited to 2.3kW. Prolonged use can pose risks to your electrical installation.
• Heavy-duty power socket: an alternative to the domestic socket for home charging, offering improved safety and slightly higher power (up to 3.7kW).

↪️ Check out our dedicated article on the different types of sockets and connectors for charging your electric car.

The different charging modes

There are four main charging modes for electric vehicles:

Mode 1: refers to slow charging directly from a standard domestic socket. This mode is not recommended for EV charging as it is too low-powered and lacks adequate safety measures.

Mode 2: also uses a domestic socket, but with the addition of a reinforced socket for increased safety. Unlike Mode 1, this method is safer and slightly faster. An electronic control box is required to regulate the charge, preventing overheating and allowing for increased current intensity.

Mode 3: is the ideal and safest solution for home charging or use in private spaces. Mode 3 involves the installation of a wall-mounted EV charging station, which can deliver twice the power of a standard domestic socket. In this mode, the station can provide up to 22 kW of power.

Mode 4: refers to public electric vehicle charging infrastructures, such as those found in supermarket  car parks or motorway service areas. Mode 4 delivers high-power direct current (DC). These public charging stations typically offer a charging capacity of 50kW, with some providing even higher outputs, such as 15kW or 350kW.

Key technical concepts 

• kW (kilowatt): measures the power rating of a charging station, determining the speed at which your vehicle can be charged.
• kWh (kilowatt-hour): a unit of capacity, representing the energy a battery can store or consume.
• Alternating Current (AC): the type of electricity provided by standard charging stations and domestic sockets. Since an EV battery can only store electricity as direct current (DC), an AC/DC converter located in the car converts AC into DC before storing it in the battery. This conversion process increases charging time. AC charging stations typically offer normal to fast charging (up to 22kW) but can sometimes reach up to 43kW.
• Direct Current (DC): used in rapid and ultra-rapid charging stations, delivering up to 350kW of power. These stations are equipped with a high-powered AC/DC converter, enabling them to provide DC power directly to the vehicle battery for instant storage.

Tips for charging an electric vehicle more easily

Charging card: a charging card allows you to activate and pay for charging sessions at public charging stations. Various charging cards are available on the market, offered by mobility operators or charging networks.

The Chargemap Pass, a multi-network card, enables you to charge your EV across more than 1,600 compatible networks, representing over 600,000 charging points in 19 European countries. No need to juggle with multiple cards to charge at public stations anymore!

Order your electric charging card

Mobile App: a mobile app is essential for locating charging stations during your travels and planning routes with your electric car. But that’s not all—it should also allow users to:

• Quickly find the nearest charging stations
• Check the real-time availability of charging points
• Plan optimised routes for charging your EV
• View pricing and available connector types

Take advantage of the Chargemap application.

Pricing methods for public charging stations. The most common pricing methods for public charging stations are:

• Per kWh billing: this is the most widely used method and is applied by many major national networks, such as Electra, Ionity, and Fastned. You pay for the exact amount of energy consumed.
• Time-based billing: found primarily on smaller local networks, the price is based on the duration of use, which is calculated either by the minute or in time blocks (e.g., 10, 15, or 30 minutes).
• Flat-rate billing: Some networks offer a flat rate for a specific period, often overnight, allowing unlimited charging within that timeframe.

💡 Charging prices can vary significantly between networks. Factors such as the station’s power rating, the network operator, and even the time of day can all influence the cost.

↪️ Learn more about the different aspects of electric car charging prices. 

Check prices before charging : before charging your electric vehicle, it’s always a good idea to check the charging prices directly in the Chargemap app.

Conclusion

Understanding the terminology around EV charging is essential to make the most of your electric car. If you have any questions or would like to contribute to this beginner’s guide, feel free to share them with us in the comments below!