You have made the decision: an electric car! Congratulations! But now comes the next question: which charging station best suits your new EV? With so many different options, it can be hard to see the wood for the trees. Don't worry, we are happy to help you on your way! In this article, we explain what to look out for when choosing a charging station and what types there are.

Compatibility between charging stations and EVs

Although most electric cars in Europe can be charged with a Type 2 plug, there are exceptions. That's why it's always a good idea to check the specifications of both your car and charging station before plugging in.

Can every EV be charged with the same charging station?

Not every electric car can be charged with the same plug or charging station. To ensure compatibility between your car and the charger or plug, keep an eye on the following:

•  Plug Type: Check your electric car’s manual to see which plug type your vehicle supports. In Europe, a Type 2 plug is commonly used for AC charging, while a CCS (Combined Charging System) plug is typically used for fast charging (DC).

• Charging Capacity: Check the maximum charging capacity of both your electric car and the charging station. For example, if your car can handle a maximum of 7.4 kW, there's no benefit in using a charging station with a higher capacity.
  

It’s always a good idea to check both your vehicle’s manual and the specifications of the charging station before you start charging.

Different types of plugs

Electric cars don’t all charge the same way; they differ in plug types. The most commonly used plug types in Europe are:

• Type 1: This plug was common in the past but is becoming less frequent on new electric cars.
  

• Type 2: This is the standard plug for AC charging in Europe and is compatible with most electric cars.
  

• CCS: This plug combines both AC and DC charging and is designed for fast charging.
  

• CHAdeMO: This charger is especially popular in Japan, but in Europe, it’s also used by some older EV models like the Nissan Leaf.
  

An adapter often allows you to use different plug types. For instance, an electric car with a Type 1 connector can usually be charged with a Type 2 charging station using an adapter. However, it’s important to note that using adapters can affect charging speed and may not always be recommended.

Different types of power

Charging stations come in various power levels, typically ranging from 3.7 kW to 22 kW for home and business use, and even up to 350 kW for fast chargers.

• Vehicle’s built-in charger capacity:
  Most electric cars have a built-in charger that determines how much power they can accept. Some vehicles can only handle up to 7.4 kW of AC charging, while others can handle 11 kW or even 22 kW. Therefore, there's little benefit in installing a charging station with a higher capacity than what your car can process.
  

• Available power supply and capacity:
  Home users need to consider their existing electrical infrastructure. A 3.7 kW or 7.4 kW charging station usually works well with a standard single-phase connection, but for an 11 kW or 22 kW station, a three-phase connection is often required. For businesses, it can be even more complex, as multiple charging stations may be used simultaneously, potentially necessitating an upgrade to the power supply.
  

• Charging needs:
  Your charging behavior is closely related to your daily driving patterns. If you drive short distances and can charge overnight or during work hours, a lower capacity like 7.4 kW may be sufficient. This can fully charge a medium-sized battery overnight. However, if you frequently drive long distances and need to charge quickly, for example during a lunch break, a higher-capacity charging station like 11 kW or 22 kW would be a better choice.
  

1-phase and 3-phase charging: what is it?

This might sound technical, but it’s actually simple. Imagine you want to fill a bucket with water. Using one thin stream takes longer than using three thick streams. This is the difference between single-phase and three-phase charging.

Single-phase charging

1-phase charging is the most common and traditional way of charging. This uses electricity coming from a single phase.

• Charging capacity: 2.3 kW to 7.4 kW, depending on the available current (10A to 32A).
  
• Charging speed: Slower compared to three-phase charging, meaning it takes longer to fully charge the battery.
  
• Suitability: Ideal for home use and for electric cars with smaller batteries.
  
• Installation: Often easy to install without major changes to your home's electrical infrastructure.
  

Three-phase charging

3-phase charging uses three phases to supply electricity, providing and higher charging power and faster charging times. This type of charging is often found in corporate environments.

• Load capacity: 11 kW to 22 kW, depending on installation and available power.
  
• Charging speed: Much faster than single-phase charging, allowing vehicles to be fully charged in a shorter time.
  
• Suitability: Ideal for vehicles with larger batteries or situations where fast charging times are important, such as for businesses.
  
• Installation: May require modifications to the building's electrical infrastructure, such as upgrading the electricity meter or connection.
  

How do you choose the right option?

Choosing between single-phase and three-phase charging depends on a few factors:

Battery capacity:

• Single-phase charging works for any electric or hybrid vehicle, but cars with smaller batteries are more likely to rely on single-phase charging.
  
• Three-phase charging is best for quick charging sessions. It's perfect if you have a large battery.
  

Daily driving:

• For daily use, 1-phase is sufficient. With this, most electric cars are charged overnight.
  
• If you often do long distances or don't have much time to recharge, 3-phase is faster and more convenient.
  

A charging station with or without services

If you are considering buying a charging station, one of the most important decisions you need to make is whether you want a charging station with or without extra services. They both have advantages, we list them for you.

Charging station without services

A charging station without extra services can be appealing if you're on a budget and just need a place to charge your electric car. This option is often more affordable, and you maintain full control over installation and usage.

Benefits of a charging station without services:

• Cost savings: You only pay for the charging station itself and the installation.
  
• Simplicity: less complexity without monthly service fees or subscriptions
  

Charging station with services

 Charging stations with additional services offer more than just charging your vehicle. Think of features like maintenance, monitoring, smart charging options, and energy management—convenient benefits that make charging even easier.

Pluginvest offers a wide range of services:

• Smart charging: With smart charging technology you can optimize the charging process, meaning you can take advantage of lower energy rates by charging during off-peak hours and manage energy usage to minimize costs.
• Energy management through an online platform: In addition to handling technical management for issues or maintenance, this platform provides the latest software updates and gives you control over your charging sessions and charge cards.
  
• Dynamic Load Balancing This service ensure that the available power is optimally distributed across multiple charging points, without overloading the grid. This allows you to efficiently charge several cars at the same time.
  

Discover more services

When choosing between a charging station with or without extra services, it’s important to consider your current and future needs. For a simple home solution, a basic charging station may be sufficient. However, if you're a business or homeowner looking to charge smartly, reduce energy costs, or charge multiple vehicles, a charging station with additional services is a smart investment. We recommend always opting for a smart solution to ensure you have a future-proof option at home or in the office!

Pluginvest is here to help you find the right charging solution. Whether you choose a simple charging station or a comprehensive solution with smart charging and energy management, we ensure that your charging experience is efficient and future-proof.

Got questions or need personalized advice? Get in touch with us!