Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental friendliness and economy. However, one of the key aspects of their use is charging. In this article, we will look at the process of charging an electric car at public charging stations, what types of charging stations there are, how to find a charging station, and what steps you need to take to charge your electric car.
Types of charging stations
Public charging stations can be of different types, depending on charging speed and technology:
AC charging stations:
Type 1 (J1772): Used primarily in North America.
Type 2 (Mennekes): The most common standard in Europe.
Power: Usually up to 22 kW.
Direct current (DC) charging stations:
CHAdeMO: Japanese standard used by many Asian manufacturers.
CCS2 (Combined Charging System): European and American standard.
Power: From 50 kW to 350 kW.
Tesla Supercharger:
A specialized network for Tesla cars.
Power: Up to 250 kW.
How to find a public charging station
There are several ways to find a public charging station for an electric vehicle:
Mobile applications:
PlugShare: One of the most popular apps for finding charging stations.
ChargePoint: A large network of charging stations with an integrated app.
Nextcharge: International network with support of various operators.
Car navigation systems:
Many modern electric cars have built-in navigation systems that show charging stations on a map.
Websites:
Zap-Map: A website to help you find charging stations in the UK.
Open Charge Map: Global map of charging stations.
