How to Charge an Electric Car – Your Complete Guide to EV Charging

23rd March 2023

7 min read

Thinking about leasing an electric car but wondering how the whole charging thing works? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. While the idea of running low on power might seem nerve-wracking at first, charging an EV is actually pretty straightforward. With charging points popping up all over the UK, keeping your electric car powered up is getting easier by the day.

Let’s walk through everything you need to know about EV charging – from different charging speeds to where to find charging points and what it’ll cost you. Whether you’re just starting your electric journey or looking to get more from your current setup, we’ve got you covered.

TL;DR The 60-Second Guide to EV Charging

Need the quick version? Here’s how you can charge your electric car:

At home: Get a dedicated EV charger installed (it’s faster and safer), or use a standard socket with a home charging cable. Most people plug in overnight – wake up to a fully charged car!
At work: More and more workplaces are offering charging points. Some are even free or subsidized – bonus!
On the street: Live in the city? Look out for chargers built into lamp posts or street-side charging posts
Public spots: You’ll find these everywhere – shopping centers, car parks, restaurants, and service stations. Perfect for a quick boost while you’re out and about
Road trip charging: Hitting the motorway? High-powered chargers at service stations have got you covered

Starting a charge is simple: Depending on where you are, just plug in directly or use an app, contactless card, or RFID card. And remember – you don’t need to fill up completely every time. Just grab what you need when you can.

Why Understanding EV Charging Matters

The UK’s going green in a big way. In 2023, we saw 455,200 new electric vehicles hit the roads – that’s nearly 24% more than in 2022! With more charging points appearing all the time and more people getting interested in cutting their emissions, EVs are becoming a bigger part of everyday life.

Let’s Talk EV Batteries

Think of your EV’s battery as the heavyweight champion of the battery world. Unlike the little ones in your phone or laptop, these powerhouses are built for the long haul. They’re packed with hundreds of individual cells working together, and they’re tough enough to handle everything from freezing winter street parking to scorching summer road trips.

What makes them really clever is their flexibility – they can handle both AC charging (that’s your home setup) and DC charging (the speedy stuff you’ll find at service stations). Plus, they come with smart temperature management to keep themselves happy in all sorts of weather.

Where Can You Charge Up?

Good news – charging spots are everywhere these days! Here’s where you can power up:

Home sweet home: Most EV drivers go for a 7.4 kW wallbox at home. It’s like having your own personal fuel station – plug in at night, wake up ready to roll. Most cars will fully charge in about 8-10 hours
Work perks: Many companies are installing charging points. It’s a nice bonus if you can charge while you’re earning!
Out and about: Running errands? You’ll find chargers in car parks, shopping centers, and even at the gym
Road trip ready: Taking the motorway? Rapid charging stations can give you a serious power boost in just 30 minutes

Pro tip: Download the Zap-Map app – it’s like Google Maps for EV charging. Find nearby chargers, check if they’re free, and plan your route. Trust us, it’s a game-changer for longer trips!

Charging Times: What to Expect

Different chargers, different speeds – here’s the breakdown:

Standard home socket: Up to 30 hours (yeah, we know – stick to emergencies!)
Home wallbox (7.4 kW): 8-10 hours for a full charge – perfect for overnight
Public fast chargers: 2-5 hours for a full top-up
Rapid chargers: Now we’re talking! 20-30 minutes to get you back on the road

Most drivers find a mix works best – charge at home most nights, use public chargers when you need them, and save those rapid chargers for longer journeys.

What About the Cost?

Here’s where EVs really shine – they’re cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars. Let’s crunch some numbers:

Home charging: With average UK electricity rates at about 24.5p per kWh, charging a typical 60 kWh car costs around £15 for a full battery
Public charging: Prices vary, but you can often find free or discounted charging at places like supermarkets

Want to work out your own costs? Just multiply your battery size (in kWh) by your electricity rate. For example, a 50 kWh battery at 24.5p per kWh = £12.25 for a full charge.

Types of Chargers: The Need-to-Know

There are three main players in the charging game:

Slow chargers (3 kW): The tortoise of the charging world. Great for emergencies, but not your go-to option
Fast chargers (7-22 kW): Your everyday heroes, found at home and in public spaces. They’ll get you charged up in a few hours
Rapid chargers (50-150 kW): The speed demons! Perfect for motorway stops, these will boost your battery in 20-30 minutes

Pro tip: Keep a charging cable in your car that works with different chargers. Knowing your connector types (like CCS or CHAdeMO) will save you headaches later.

What are the different types of electric car chargers?

While industry has made moves to standardise electric car charging – with BMW, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen forming a coalition to roll this out across Europe – there are various types of charge plugs and it can get a bit confusing knowing what type you need and where you can access it.

At the slow end of the scale for electric car charging, there has historically been three options. At the bottom of the scale the three-pin plug provides around 3 kW of alternating current, as such this level of trickle charge is only recommended for an absolute emergency. Earlier EVs improved on this slightly with Type 1, Type 2 and Commando charging providing 3-6 kW.

Fast chargers are becoming more common in the UK as more drivers make the move to electric cars. The most common type of fast charger installed at the home is a 7.4 kW wallbox which will come in either a Type 1 or Type 2 alternate current connector depending on the type used in your EV. These can be typically found in public car parks and some supermarkets too.

Rapid chargers are at the top of the scale, and will be found at motorway service stations or if you’re driving a Tesla at their dealerships. Rapid chargers use direct current to recharge the EV as fast as possible, delivering 50-100 kW to an EV. Tesla’s Supercharger network ups this to 150 kW but is only available on their models.

Top Tips for Smart Charging

Be an opportunistic charger: If you’re parked up somewhere with a charger, why not top up? Little and often works well
Share the power: At public chargers, move your car once you’re done – other EV drivers will thank you
Keep your battery happy: Try to stay between 20% and 80% charge most of the time. It’s like keeping your battery in its comfort zone

Remember, with charging points everywhere from your local supermarket to motorway services, keeping your EV powered up is getting easier every day. Once you get into a routine that works for you – whether that’s overnight home charging or regular top-ups while you shop – it’ll become second nature.

Need more EV advice? We’re always here to help you find the perfect electric lease car for your lifestyle. Browse our latest electric leasing deals, or check out our picks of the longest range EVs to keep you on the road.

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