Simon Pavey
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If you've recently made the transition to an electric vehicle (EV) or are simply seeking a refresher on the charging process, this simple guide will walk you through the essential steps for efficiently charging your EV. We'll cover topics such as selecting the right charging equipment, understanding charging times based on your vehicle’s battery capacity, and tips for finding nearby charging stations. With this guide, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the EV charging experience with confidence.
Electric vehicle (or EV) charging is when you recharge your car’s electric battery using an EV charger. An EV charger is a cable or unit that connects your electric vehicle to a power source, like a home outlet, a workplace charger, or a public charging station.
EV chargers supply electricity to an electric vehicle's battery. The speed of charging varies depending on the type of charger and the vehicle's capacity. Understanding the various charging levels - Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging - is also crucial.
Depending on the make/model of your car, you may have a Type 1 charger or a Type 2 charger. Most public charging points feature a Type 2 charging socket, so if you have a Type 1 socket on your car, you should ensure you have a ‘Type 2-to-Type 1’ cable on hand.
Rapid chargers use different types of sockets: the CCS and CHAdeMO chargers. The first combines a CCS DS socket with a Type 2 socket. The second is less common; however, it’s important that you check which type your vehicle uses.
Your vehicle’s charging socket may be in the same location as traditional fuel caps or at the front of the vehicle.
This is usually green or blue. Your dashboard will tell you how long it will take for the vehicle to be fully charged. Your car won’t be able to start up while charging, and the cable will be locked in when the car is locked to prevent theft of the cable or the charging point.
When you are finished charging or are ready to leave, unlock your car, disconnect your cable, pack it away, and you are ready to go.
There are 35,778 charge points at 21,378 charging locations, making public charging points easy to access for EV drivers across the UK.
While today’s options range from slow to ultra-rapid charging, new technology, such as electric roads that charge vehicles while driving, could transform how fleets refuel in the future.
If you are introducing EVs to your fleet or encouraging your staff to use them, it’s worth investing in charging infrastructure. This guide to electric charging points for UK businesses explains what to consider when installing workplace chargers. There is a range of different types of charging points that are perfect for workplace charging, and some fit the criteria for the Workplace Charging Scheme.
These charge points will be used following the same or similar step-by-step process outlined above, but it’s important to check the requirements of each individual model to ensure effective charging and to avoid damage either to your EV or the charge point.
As with workplace charging, there is a range of home charge points to choose from. Home charging is the most convenient and often most cost-effective way of charging electric vehicles. If you are looking to install a charging point at your home, it’s worth researching the various types of chargers to find the one that suits your needs.
Whilst you can charge an EV from the wall sockets in your home, wallbox providers can offer faster and safer charging. If you’re managing a fleet with drivers who charge at home, solutions like Allstar Homecharge make it easier to track and reimburse charging costs accurately.
The cost of charging an electric vehicle in the UK can vary a lot depending on where you charge and what type of charger you use. Charging at home is the cheapest option, costing around £0.10 to £0.35 per kWh. The EV charge point grant can help to cover up to 75% of the cost of installing smart charge points at homes across the UK.
In contrast, public chargers, especially fast and rapid ones, can cost more than £0.50 to £0.80 per kWh. Several factors affect these costs, including how fast the charger is (slow, fast, rapid, or ultra-rapid), the specific network or supplier, and whether you have access to free charging at work.
Charging strategies can make a difference, but so can driving habits and fleet management. For example, this guide on how fleets can get more miles from EVs offers practical tips to extend battery range.
An EV charge card is an effective option for charging fleet electric vehicles, saving on costs, enjoying perks, and managing fleet finances. One example is the Shell Recharge card, which gives fleet drivers access to thousands of charge points across the UK and Europe. If you are unsure which EV charge card is right for your fleet’s needs, head over to our EV Hub, where you can find guidance on the types of EV charge cards on offer as well as other useful information.
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