How to charge your electric vehicle

There are several types of charging points for electric cars, each offering different speeds and capabilities. Here’s a breakdown:

Types of Charging Points

    1. Level 1 AC Charging (7 kW Slow Charging): This is the most basic type of charging, typically using a standard household outlet or a type 2 connector (Single Phase Mains). It’s slow and usually takes about 8-20 hours to fully charge an EV.
    2. Level 2 AC Charging (22 kW Fast Charging): These chargers use a 3 phase 240V outlet and can charge an EV much faster, typically within 4-8 hours. However, not many houses have a 3-phase supply.
    3. DC Fast Charging (24 kW or Higher Rapid Charging): These provide a high-power direct current (DC) and can charge an EV to 80% in about 30 minutes to an hour. They are commonly found at public charging stations and along main roads and autoroutes.
    4. Ultra-Rapid Charging (>100 kW): These are the fastest chargers available, providing power at 100 kW or more. They can add significant range in just 15-30 minutes.

How to Use Them

    1. Locate a charging point: Use apps like Zap-Map, Electromaps, Electroverse, or your car’s navigation system to find nearby charging stations.
    2. Connect the charger: For Level 1 and Level 2 chargers, you’ll need to connect your own cable – the one that came with the car when you bought it – to the charger. By contrast, for DC fast chargers, the cable is usually tethered to the charger.
    3. Start charging: Follow the instructions on the charger or the app you’re using. You may need to scan a QR code or use a contactless card or fob to start the charging session.
      Instructions are often in a pictorial format so you don’t need to worry about what language they are in. You can often change the display language on the charger screen if there is one.
    4. Monitor the charge: Keep an eye on the charging progress through the app or the charger’s display. Most will notify you when the charging is complete.
    5. Stop the charge: Once your car is fully charged or you need to leave, stop the charge using the app or on the charger’s interface. Depending on the charger, you may need to ‘tap out’ by holding your card up to the card reader on the charging unit.
    6. Payment: Pay for the charging session through the app, contactless card, or other payment methods provided by the charging network. If you have set up an account such as with AlterBase within the Deux-Sèvres, payment is taken from your bank account. Fast and Ultra Fast chargers will often accept bank cards/credit cards for payment.
    7. Charging speed: The speed of charging also depends on the battery temperature and the level of charge of the battery. The fastest charging is often between 20% and 80% state of charge and charging slows down above 80% to avoid overheating the battery and causing long term damage. For most daily use, it’s more economical to limit your charging to a maximum of 80% and only charge to 100% for long journeys.

In some local areas, there are only low power AC chargers. These work well for a top-up whilst you go and have lunch or do some shopping. However, you will need some form of contactless card for the charging network (not a merely a bank card) to use them.

In Deux Sèvres, consider signing up with AlterBase which has the most widespread network in the department. They have just revised their contracts and now have an app and a smart key fob that can be used at each charger.

Using public charging points can seem overwhelming at first, but with a little practice, it becomes second nature. To find fellow EV in the area where you can share information and ask questions, do consider joining the Deux-Sèvres EV Owners Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/dsevowners/.