Electric Car Charging Guide: How to Charge an EV

Switching to an electric car can feel like a big step, and one of the first questions on everyone’s mind is about charging. It might seem a bit daunting at first, but honestly, it’s much simpler than you think. Once you get the hang of it, it's as easy as charging your phone.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover where to charge, how long it takes, what it costs, and even the unwritten rules of charging etiquette. Let's get you plugged in.

Where Can You Charge an Electric Car?

Good news! Finding a place to charge is getting easier every day. In fact, there are now more public charging points in the UK than petrol stations. You have three main options for keeping your battery topped up: at home, at work, or on the go.

Charging at Home

Charging your car at home is the most convenient and often the cheapest way to do it. You can plug in overnight and wake up to a full battery, ready for the day ahead.

Most people get a dedicated home charger, often called a wallbox, installed. These are weatherproof units mounted to an outside wall near where you park. They come in two main types:

• Tethered: This means the charging cable is permanently attached to the unit. You just unwind it and plug it straight into your car.
• Untethered: This is a socket-only charger. You’ll use the cable that came with your car to connect it to the wallbox.

Home chargers typically come in 3kW or 7kW power ratings. A 7kW charger is the most common and can fully charge most electric cars in 4-6 hours. While you can technically use a standard 3-pin plug socket, it’s very slow and not recommended for regular use due to safety risks.

Charging on the Go

Public charging points are everywhere, from motorway service stations and fuel forecourts to supermarket car parks and residential streets. They’re perfect for topping up when you’re out and about or on a long journey.

There are different types of public chargers, usually split by speed:

• Destination chargers: These are often found where you’ll be parked for a while, like a supermarket or a leisure centre. They are typically 7kW fast chargers.
• Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers: Found at service stations, these powerful chargers (50kW to 350kW) can add over 100 miles of range in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for a quick boost on a road trip.

To find public charge points, apps like Zap-Map are brilliant. They show you a map of all nearby chargers, what type they are, and whether they’re currently in use.

Charging at Work

More and more workplaces are installing chargers for their employees. This is a great perk, as you can charge up during the day, and it’s often free or subsidised. If your workplace has chargers, it can save you money on home electricity bills and the cost of installing a wallbox.

How Long Does It Take to Charge?

This is the classic "how long is a piece of string?" question, as it depends on a few things:

• The size of your car’s battery: A bigger battery holds more power but takes longer to fill up, just like a bigger fuel tank.
• How much charge you need: Topping up from 50% is much quicker than charging from empty.
• The speed of the charger: This is the biggest factor. A powerful rapid charger will be much faster than a home wallbox.
• Your car’s charging speed: Your car has a maximum charging speed it can handle. For example, a car with a 7kW onboard charger won’t charge any faster at a 22kW public point.

As a rough guide:

• 3kW slow charger: 8-12 hours for a full charge.
• 7kW fast charger: 4-6 hours for a full charge.
• 50kW rapid charger: Around 30-60 minutes for an 80% charge.

Understanding Charger Types and Connectors

Just like phones have different charging cables, so do electric cars. It sounds complicated, but you’ll quickly get used to the one your car needs.

The two main connectors for everyday charging in the UK are:

• Type 1: A five-pin plug found on some older models.
• Type 2: A seven-pin plug that is now the standard for most cars in the UK and Europe.

For rapid charging, you’ll use either a CCS (Combined Charging System) or CHAdeMO connector. Most new electric cars use the CCS system. Your car will have the right socket, so you just need to find a public charger with the matching plug.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of charging varies depending on where you do it.

• At home: This is usually the cheapest option. The exact cost depends on your electricity tariff, but you can lower it further by charging overnight on a special off-peak EV tariff. On average, a full charge might cost around £15-£20.
• At work: Often free or offered at a reduced rate.
• Public chargers: Prices vary between networks. Rapid chargers cost the most due to their speed. You’ll typically pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh), much like you pay per litre of petrol. Prices can range from 45p to 80p per kWh.

Some supermarkets and hotels offer free charging for customers, which is a nice bonus while you shop or stay.

A Few Tips on Charging Etiquette

When using public chargers, a little consideration goes a long way.

• Don’t hog the charger: Once your car is charged enough (aim for 80% at rapid chargers), move along so someone else can use it.
• Keep it tidy: Put the cable back neatly when you’re done.
• EVs get priority: If you have a plug-in hybrid, it’s good form to let a fully electric car charge first if they are waiting, as they don’t have a backup engine.
• Be patient and polite: Everyone is learning. A friendly attitude makes the experience better for all.