A new electric car owner might have many questions. How do I charge? Where should I charge? Is charging an EV simple or complicated?
Charging an electric car is a relatively simple process that isn’t any harder than filling a standard petrol or gas car. There are many places where you can charge your EV, but there are three main areas; your home, your work and public charging stations. Each has benefits and drawbacks, so you should understand them before deciding where to charge.
Charging your EV can take minutes or hours, depending on how you charge it, so be sure to pay attention and read this article to understand how to charge your EV.
If you’re looking for the perfect charger for any situation, you should download Bonnet, an app that can give you access to thousands of charging points at a discount.
Every car takes a different amount of time to fill, depending on its current charging status. Three main factors affect EV charging time.
The first factor is the battery size. Each EV model has a unique battery size. The bigger the battery, the longer you’ll be able to drive between chargers, but it will also take much longer to charge.
For example, a 40 kWh Nissan Leaf will take 36 minutes to charge from 10 to 80%, whereas a 75 kWh Tesla Model 3 Long Range will take 1 hour and 3 minutes to reach the same percentage.
The second factor is the maximum charging speeds of your EV. Each electric car model has a unique max AC and DC charging speed that limits how fast you can charge. If your max charging speed is 7 kWh, you’ll only be able to charge at 7 kWh, even if you’re at a charger that can go up to 22 kWh.
The third factor is what charger you use. Chargers can range between 3 - 350 kWh speeds, and the faster your charger, the faster you’ll be able to charge, as long as it’s within your EV’s charging limit. The fastest speeds can be found at public charging stations.
If you were to use a 150 kWh public charger to charge the Jaguar I-Pace, it would charge from 10 to 80% in just 37 minutes, whereas if you were to charge an I-Pace with a 3.6 kWh charger, it would take 17 hours to reach the same charge.
Other factors affect charging time, such as temperature, but these three are the main factors determining how long it takes to charge your electric car.
Again, this depends on the size of your battery. Larger batteries can drive further between each charging cycle. The 40 kWh Nissan Leaf has a range of about 145 miles, while the 75 kWh Tesla Model 3 Long Range has a range of 315 miles.
Most electric cars have a range of between 100 - 300 miles. Battery technology is still developing, so modern EVs generally have a larger driving range than older ones. However, you don’t have to worry about your range as there are so many chargers in the country that range anxiety is no longer an issue.
How long your battery will last depends on how you use your electric car. If you drive frequently, you will wear it down much faster than if you use it sparingly for direct commutes to and from work.
Each time you charge, your battery will slightly degrade in quality. At first, this degradation won’t be noticeable and won’t seriously impact your battery’s condition. However, over time, these incremental changes will build up and start to limit your range and shorten your battery’s lifespan.
You should expect your EV to last around 10 - 15 years. Many electric cars come with long warranties, such as Nissan’s 7-year or 100,000 miles warranty, enabling you to drive without worry for a long time. Many EV batteries will outlast the vehicle they’re in.
If you want to prolong your battery, you should avoid using rapid chargers and try to keep the battery’s charge between 10 - 80%, as filling it to max or letting it run flat can cause damage. Try not to overwork your batteries if you want to get the most out of them.
Chargers can be separated into four different speed groups: slow, fast, rapid and ultra-rapid. It is important to understand the distinction between the charger types so that you can charge at speeds that suit your requirements.
Slow chargers charge at around 3 kWh. Slow charging speeds can be accessed at home charging stations, workplace charging and some public charging networks. You can use these charging speeds with your home’s 3-pin plugs if you have a domestic adapter.
Because these are so slow, you need to use them for long periods to charge your EV substantially, which makes them best for charging overnight. They’re also a very cheap and affordable way to charge your EV.
Fast chargers use AC connectors to charge at speeds of between 7 - 42 kWh. You can get some fast chargers for work or home charging points, but mostly you’ll find fast chargers at public charging stations.
These chargers offer speedy charging and are not too strenuous on your EV’s battery. Fast chargers are best used to top up your EV.
Rapid chargers charge at around 50 kWh. They use DC connectors to provide some of the fastest speeds in the UK. Rapid chargers can only be found at public charging stations.
Using a rapid charger, you can charge most electric cars over 50% in around half an hour. Rapid chargers are also much easier to find than ultra-rapid chargers.
Ultra-rapid chargers use their DC connectors to charge between 100 and 350 kWh. These offer the fastest way to charge your EV. They’re exclusively found at public charging stations, although not all networks provide ultra-rapid chargers.
Ultra-rapid chargers can charge your electric car in minutes. If your battery is running low and you’re in a rush, you should use an ultra-rapid charger.
In the UK, most electric cars use the Type 2 connector for AC charging and the CCS connector for DC charging. You might find other connectors in the UK, such as the Type 1 connector and the CHAdeMO connectors, although these are rare.
Each car has an AC and DC charger.
You can use the standard 3-pin plugs in your house to charge your EV if you have a domestic adapter.
Many EVs come with an adapter when you purchase them; otherwise, you can always buy one. 3-pin plugs charge at speeds of around 2.3 - 3 kWh and can give most EVs around 5 miles of range for 30 minutes of charging.
However, it would be best not to use your 3-pin plugs to charge too often. They are not designed to prolong them, and overusing them can damage your home’s wiring.
Type 1 connectors are AC connectors that charge between 3 - 7 kWh. In the UK, these connectors are usually only found in older models. For 30 minutes of charging, you can get around 12 miles of range.
Type 1 connectors don’t have a locking mechanism for when your car is connected to a charging supply.
Type 2 connectors are AC connectors that charge between 3 - 42 kWh. These chargers provide around 75 miles of range for every 30 minutes of charging. Type 2 connectors are the standard European AC connectors, so most UK EVs have a Type 2 connector.
Unlike the Type 1 connector, Type 2 connectors have an inbuilt locking mechanism while charging.
CHAdeMO connectors are DC connectors that can charge up to 50 kWh. They can provide around 85 miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. CHAdeMO is an older rapid connector that is compatible with Japanese vehicle manufacturers.
Not all public chargers charge for the CHAdeMO connector, so if your car uses it, you will need to use apps like Bonnet to find chargers.
CCS connectors are DC connectors that can charge up to 350 kWh. These chargers can give you anywhere between 85 - 200 miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. These versatile connectors are the European standard DC connector.
Some companies provide charging points in their work car parks. Generally, the chargers you’ll find at workplaces provide between 3 - 7 kWh speeds.
One of the biggest incentives for workplace charging is that many employers pay for the charging done on their charging points. This can make charging at work one of the most affordable ways to fill your electric car.
It’s also a very convenient way to charge as it allows you to charge your car while you work rather than leaving it dormant in the car park.
While some companies might pay for your charging, others won’t. If you are charging at work, you’ll be paying roughly the same as if you charged at home. These chargers are relatively slow and will take a long time to fill up your EV.
Unfortunately, for many electric car drivers, not all companies provide workplace charging, so this won’t be an option for all EV owners.
There are two ways to charge at home. You can use a domestic adapter to charge with your 3-pin plug, or you can have a home charging station installed. Home charging speeds tend to be around 3 - 7 kWh.
Charging at home is a convenient way to charge your EV, as it means you can fill up your car from the comfort of your own home. It is often the cheapest way to charge your EV. There are grants that can help make home charging stations affordable to install in your home.
The best way to use home charging is to charge overnight while you sleep. Your car will be ready with enough charge come morning.
While home charging is very convenient, it is also very slow. These chargers will take a long time to fill your battery up significantly. If you don’t pay for a home charging station, you’ll only be able to charge with your 3-pin plugs, which can damage your home’s wiring.
You can find public charging stations all over the UK at all sorts of speeds, charging at 3 - 350 kWh.
Public chargers can be found all over the country and are the fastest way to charge your EV. They can be very affordable, and some are even free. Public charging networks are the only place you’ll find rapid and ultra-rapid chargers.
There are so many public charging networks that navigating them can be quite complicated. Each network has a different price and needs a unique app download – and possibly a membership.
To find great chargers at reasonable prices, download Bonnet, an app that will save you time and money.
Yes. Electric cars can charge in the rain. Rain does not affect car charging, so there is no reason not to charge in the rain.
How much you pay per charge depends on tariffs and battery size. Generally, you should expect to charge your EV at home for around £6. If you use a public charging station, you should expect to pay more.
Of course, some networks offer to charge at an affordable price, making it cheaper to charge your EV. You should use apps like Bonnet to find affordable public chargers.
Hopefully, the information in this article will help you understand how to charge your electric vehicle. Each car is different and will have different charging times, prices and charging speeds.
It can be overwhelming if you’re out and about and looking for a good public charging station. There are so many choices that it might be tempting to go to your nearest charger. However, this could be a costly mistake, requiring you to pay for a membership, download an app and pay extortionate rates just to charge at a nonoptimal speed.
To avoid being overwhelmed by charging anxiety, you should download Bonnet, our app that allows EV drivers to connect to thousands of charging points across the UK with different speeds, connectors and prices to ensure our customers get the charging experience they desire.
We have over 17+ public charging network partners, so our customers are spoilt for choice. We have a membership option called Bonnet Boosts, which allows drivers to get up to 15% off all their charging within our partners’ networks for just £8 monthly. For just £96 annually, you could shave thousands of pounds off your charging bill.
Bonnet Boosts is the ideal way to charge if you frequently find yourself at public charging stations.
If you want to make public charging more affordable and stress-free, download Bonnet today.
You can charge at home with either a domestic adapter or a home charging station. Charging at home is slow but can be very convenient.
Yes. You can charge your electric car using the 3-pin plug in your house. You must use a domestic adapter to charge at one of your home’s 3-pin plugs. Many EVs come with a domestic adapter when you purchase them; if your EV doesn’t come with an adapter, you can always buy one.
While charging your electric car is cheaper than filling a petrol car, charging is generally not free. However, some public charging points are free to use; most of the free charging points you’ll find are part of the ChargePlace Scotland network.
The exact time it takes to charge an electric car depends on its battery size and charging speed. You can charge a Nissan Leaf fully in less time than a Jaguar I-Pace, even if you use the same charging speed. You can probably fill up your EV in around half an hour if you use rapid chargers.
A new electric car owner might have many questions. How do I charge? Where should I charge? Is charging an EV simple or complicated?
Charging an electric car is a relatively simple process that isn’t any harder than filling a standard petrol or gas car. There are many places where you can charge your EV, but there are three main areas; your home, your work and public charging stations. Each has benefits and drawbacks, so you should understand them before deciding where to charge.
Charging your EV can take minutes or hours, depending on how you charge it, so be sure to pay attention and read this article to understand how to charge your EV.
If you’re looking for the perfect charger for any situation, you should download Bonnet, an app that can give you access to thousands of charging points at a discount.
Every car takes a different amount of time to fill, depending on its current charging status. Three main factors affect EV charging time.
The first factor is the battery size. Each EV model has a unique battery size. The bigger the battery, the longer you’ll be able to drive between chargers, but it will also take much longer to charge.
For example, a 40 kWh Nissan Leaf will take 36 minutes to charge from 10 to 80%, whereas a 75 kWh Tesla Model 3 Long Range will take 1 hour and 3 minutes to reach the same percentage.
The second factor is the maximum charging speeds of your EV. Each electric car model has a unique max AC and DC charging speed that limits how fast you can charge. If your max charging speed is 7 kWh, you’ll only be able to charge at 7 kWh, even if you’re at a charger that can go up to 22 kWh.
The third factor is what charger you use. Chargers can range between 3 - 350 kWh speeds, and the faster your charger, the faster you’ll be able to charge, as long as it’s within your EV’s charging limit. The fastest speeds can be found at public charging stations.
If you were to use a 150 kWh public charger to charge the Jaguar I-Pace, it would charge from 10 to 80% in just 37 minutes, whereas if you were to charge an I-Pace with a 3.6 kWh charger, it would take 17 hours to reach the same charge.
Other factors affect charging time, such as temperature, but these three are the main factors determining how long it takes to charge your electric car.
Again, this depends on the size of your battery. Larger batteries can drive further between each charging cycle. The 40 kWh Nissan Leaf has a range of about 145 miles, while the 75 kWh Tesla Model 3 Long Range has a range of 315 miles.
Most electric cars have a range of between 100 - 300 miles. Battery technology is still developing, so modern EVs generally have a larger driving range than older ones. However, you don’t have to worry about your range as there are so many chargers in the country that range anxiety is no longer an issue.
How long your battery will last depends on how you use your electric car. If you drive frequently, you will wear it down much faster than if you use it sparingly for direct commutes to and from work.
Each time you charge, your battery will slightly degrade in quality. At first, this degradation won’t be noticeable and won’t seriously impact your battery’s condition. However, over time, these incremental changes will build up and start to limit your range and shorten your battery’s lifespan.
You should expect your EV to last around 10 - 15 years. Many electric cars come with long warranties, such as Nissan’s 7-year or 100,000 miles warranty, enabling you to drive without worry for a long time. Many EV batteries will outlast the vehicle they’re in.
If you want to prolong your battery, you should avoid using rapid chargers and try to keep the battery’s charge between 10 - 80%, as filling it to max or letting it run flat can cause damage. Try not to overwork your batteries if you want to get the most out of them.
Chargers can be separated into four different speed groups: slow, fast, rapid and ultra-rapid. It is important to understand the distinction between the charger types so that you can charge at speeds that suit your requirements.
Slow chargers charge at around 3 kWh. Slow charging speeds can be accessed at home charging stations, workplace charging and some public charging networks. You can use these charging speeds with your home’s 3-pin plugs if you have a domestic adapter.
Because these are so slow, you need to use them for long periods to charge your EV substantially, which makes them best for charging overnight. They’re also a very cheap and affordable way to charge your EV.
Fast chargers use AC connectors to charge at speeds of between 7 - 42 kWh. You can get some fast chargers for work or home charging points, but mostly you’ll find fast chargers at public charging stations.
These chargers offer speedy charging and are not too strenuous on your EV’s battery. Fast chargers are best used to top up your EV.
Rapid chargers charge at around 50 kWh. They use DC connectors to provide some of the fastest speeds in the UK. Rapid chargers can only be found at public charging stations.
Using a rapid charger, you can charge most electric cars over 50% in around half an hour. Rapid chargers are also much easier to find than ultra-rapid chargers.
Ultra-rapid chargers use their DC connectors to charge between 100 and 350 kWh. These offer the fastest way to charge your EV. They’re exclusively found at public charging stations, although not all networks provide ultra-rapid chargers.
Ultra-rapid chargers can charge your electric car in minutes. If your battery is running low and you’re in a rush, you should use an ultra-rapid charger.
In the UK, most electric cars use the Type 2 connector for AC charging and the CCS connector for DC charging. You might find other connectors in the UK, such as the Type 1 connector and the CHAdeMO connectors, although these are rare.
Each car has an AC and DC charger.
You can use the standard 3-pin plugs in your house to charge your EV if you have a domestic adapter.
Many EVs come with an adapter when you purchase them; otherwise, you can always buy one. 3-pin plugs charge at speeds of around 2.3 - 3 kWh and can give most EVs around 5 miles of range for 30 minutes of charging.
However, it would be best not to use your 3-pin plugs to charge too often. They are not designed to prolong them, and overusing them can damage your home’s wiring.
Type 1 connectors are AC connectors that charge between 3 - 7 kWh. In the UK, these connectors are usually only found in older models. For 30 minutes of charging, you can get around 12 miles of range.
Type 1 connectors don’t have a locking mechanism for when your car is connected to a charging supply.
Type 2 connectors are AC connectors that charge between 3 - 42 kWh. These chargers provide around 75 miles of range for every 30 minutes of charging. Type 2 connectors are the standard European AC connectors, so most UK EVs have a Type 2 connector.
Unlike the Type 1 connector, Type 2 connectors have an inbuilt locking mechanism while charging.
CHAdeMO connectors are DC connectors that can charge up to 50 kWh. They can provide around 85 miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. CHAdeMO is an older rapid connector that is compatible with Japanese vehicle manufacturers.
Not all public chargers charge for the CHAdeMO connector, so if your car uses it, you will need to use apps like Bonnet to find chargers.
CCS connectors are DC connectors that can charge up to 350 kWh. These chargers can give you anywhere between 85 - 200 miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. These versatile connectors are the European standard DC connector.
Some companies provide charging points in their work car parks. Generally, the chargers you’ll find at workplaces provide between 3 - 7 kWh speeds.
One of the biggest incentives for workplace charging is that many employers pay for the charging done on their charging points. This can make charging at work one of the most affordable ways to fill your electric car.
It’s also a very convenient way to charge as it allows you to charge your car while you work rather than leaving it dormant in the car park.
While some companies might pay for your charging, others won’t. If you are charging at work, you’ll be paying roughly the same as if you charged at home. These chargers are relatively slow and will take a long time to fill up your EV.
Unfortunately, for many electric car drivers, not all companies provide workplace charging, so this won’t be an option for all EV owners.
There are two ways to charge at home. You can use a domestic adapter to charge with your 3-pin plug, or you can have a home charging station installed. Home charging speeds tend to be around 3 - 7 kWh.
Charging at home is a convenient way to charge your EV, as it means you can fill up your car from the comfort of your own home. It is often the cheapest way to charge your EV. There are grants that can help make home charging stations affordable to install in your home.
The best way to use home charging is to charge overnight while you sleep. Your car will be ready with enough charge come morning.
While home charging is very convenient, it is also very slow. These chargers will take a long time to fill your battery up significantly. If you don’t pay for a home charging station, you’ll only be able to charge with your 3-pin plugs, which can damage your home’s wiring.
You can find public charging stations all over the UK at all sorts of speeds, charging at 3 - 350 kWh.
Public chargers can be found all over the country and are the fastest way to charge your EV. They can be very affordable, and some are even free. Public charging networks are the only place you’ll find rapid and ultra-rapid chargers.
There are so many public charging networks that navigating them can be quite complicated. Each network has a different price and needs a unique app download – and possibly a membership.
To find great chargers at reasonable prices, download Bonnet, an app that will save you time and money.
Yes. Electric cars can charge in the rain. Rain does not affect car charging, so there is no reason not to charge in the rain.
How much you pay per charge depends on tariffs and battery size. Generally, you should expect to charge your EV at home for around £6. If you use a public charging station, you should expect to pay more.
Of course, some networks offer to charge at an affordable price, making it cheaper to charge your EV. You should use apps like Bonnet to find affordable public chargers.
Hopefully, the information in this article will help you understand how to charge your electric vehicle. Each car is different and will have different charging times, prices and charging speeds.
It can be overwhelming if you’re out and about and looking for a good public charging station. There are so many choices that it might be tempting to go to your nearest charger. However, this could be a costly mistake, requiring you to pay for a membership, download an app and pay extortionate rates just to charge at a nonoptimal speed.
To avoid being overwhelmed by charging anxiety, you should download Bonnet, our app that allows EV drivers to connect to thousands of charging points across the UK with different speeds, connectors and prices to ensure our customers get the charging experience they desire.
We have over 17+ public charging network partners, so our customers are spoilt for choice. We have a membership option called Bonnet Boosts, which allows drivers to get up to 15% off all their charging within our partners’ networks for just £8 monthly. For just £96 annually, you could shave thousands of pounds off your charging bill.
Bonnet Boosts is the ideal way to charge if you frequently find yourself at public charging stations.
If you want to make public charging more affordable and stress-free, download Bonnet today.
A new electric car owner might have many questions. How do I charge? Where should I charge? Is charging an EV simple or complicated?
Charging an electric car is a relatively simple process that isn’t any harder than filling a standard petrol or gas car. There are many places where you can charge your EV, but there are three main areas; your home, your work and public charging stations. Each has benefits and drawbacks, so you should understand them before deciding where to charge.
Charging your EV can take minutes or hours, depending on how you charge it, so be sure to pay attention and read this article to understand how to charge your EV.
If you’re looking for the perfect charger for any situation, you should download Bonnet, an app that can give you access to thousands of charging points at a discount.
Every car takes a different amount of time to fill, depending on its current charging status. Three main factors affect EV charging time.
The first factor is the battery size. Each EV model has a unique battery size. The bigger the battery, the longer you’ll be able to drive between chargers, but it will also take much longer to charge.
For example, a 40 kWh Nissan Leaf will take 36 minutes to charge from 10 to 80%, whereas a 75 kWh Tesla Model 3 Long Range will take 1 hour and 3 minutes to reach the same percentage.
The second factor is the maximum charging speeds of your EV. Each electric car model has a unique max AC and DC charging speed that limits how fast you can charge. If your max charging speed is 7 kWh, you’ll only be able to charge at 7 kWh, even if you’re at a charger that can go up to 22 kWh.
The third factor is what charger you use. Chargers can range between 3 - 350 kWh speeds, and the faster your charger, the faster you’ll be able to charge, as long as it’s within your EV’s charging limit. The fastest speeds can be found at public charging stations.
If you were to use a 150 kWh public charger to charge the Jaguar I-Pace, it would charge from 10 to 80% in just 37 minutes, whereas if you were to charge an I-Pace with a 3.6 kWh charger, it would take 17 hours to reach the same charge.
Other factors affect charging time, such as temperature, but these three are the main factors determining how long it takes to charge your electric car.
Again, this depends on the size of your battery. Larger batteries can drive further between each charging cycle. The 40 kWh Nissan Leaf has a range of about 145 miles, while the 75 kWh Tesla Model 3 Long Range has a range of 315 miles.
Most electric cars have a range of between 100 - 300 miles. Battery technology is still developing, so modern EVs generally have a larger driving range than older ones. However, you don’t have to worry about your range as there are so many chargers in the country that range anxiety is no longer an issue.
How long your battery will last depends on how you use your electric car. If you drive frequently, you will wear it down much faster than if you use it sparingly for direct commutes to and from work.
Each time you charge, your battery will slightly degrade in quality. At first, this degradation won’t be noticeable and won’t seriously impact your battery’s condition. However, over time, these incremental changes will build up and start to limit your range and shorten your battery’s lifespan.
You should expect your EV to last around 10 - 15 years. Many electric cars come with long warranties, such as Nissan’s 7-year or 100,000 miles warranty, enabling you to drive without worry for a long time. Many EV batteries will outlast the vehicle they’re in.
If you want to prolong your battery, you should avoid using rapid chargers and try to keep the battery’s charge between 10 - 80%, as filling it to max or letting it run flat can cause damage. Try not to overwork your batteries if you want to get the most out of them.
Chargers can be separated into four different speed groups: slow, fast, rapid and ultra-rapid. It is important to understand the distinction between the charger types so that you can charge at speeds that suit your requirements.
Slow chargers charge at around 3 kWh. Slow charging speeds can be accessed at home charging stations, workplace charging and some public charging networks. You can use these charging speeds with your home’s 3-pin plugs if you have a domestic adapter.
Because these are so slow, you need to use them for long periods to charge your EV substantially, which makes them best for charging overnight. They’re also a very cheap and affordable way to charge your EV.
Fast chargers use AC connectors to charge at speeds of between 7 - 42 kWh. You can get some fast chargers for work or home charging points, but mostly you’ll find fast chargers at public charging stations.
These chargers offer speedy charging and are not too strenuous on your EV’s battery. Fast chargers are best used to top up your EV.
Rapid chargers charge at around 50 kWh. They use DC connectors to provide some of the fastest speeds in the UK. Rapid chargers can only be found at public charging stations.
Using a rapid charger, you can charge most electric cars over 50% in around half an hour. Rapid chargers are also much easier to find than ultra-rapid chargers.
Ultra-rapid chargers use their DC connectors to charge between 100 and 350 kWh. These offer the fastest way to charge your EV. They’re exclusively found at public charging stations, although not all networks provide ultra-rapid chargers.
Ultra-rapid chargers can charge your electric car in minutes. If your battery is running low and you’re in a rush, you should use an ultra-rapid charger.
In the UK, most electric cars use the Type 2 connector for AC charging and the CCS connector for DC charging. You might find other connectors in the UK, such as the Type 1 connector and the CHAdeMO connectors, although these are rare.
Each car has an AC and DC charger.
You can use the standard 3-pin plugs in your house to charge your EV if you have a domestic adapter.
Many EVs come with an adapter when you purchase them; otherwise, you can always buy one. 3-pin plugs charge at speeds of around 2.3 - 3 kWh and can give most EVs around 5 miles of range for 30 minutes of charging.
However, it would be best not to use your 3-pin plugs to charge too often. They are not designed to prolong them, and overusing them can damage your home’s wiring.
Type 1 connectors are AC connectors that charge between 3 - 7 kWh. In the UK, these connectors are usually only found in older models. For 30 minutes of charging, you can get around 12 miles of range.
Type 1 connectors don’t have a locking mechanism for when your car is connected to a charging supply.
Type 2 connectors are AC connectors that charge between 3 - 42 kWh. These chargers provide around 75 miles of range for every 30 minutes of charging. Type 2 connectors are the standard European AC connectors, so most UK EVs have a Type 2 connector.
Unlike the Type 1 connector, Type 2 connectors have an inbuilt locking mechanism while charging.
CHAdeMO connectors are DC connectors that can charge up to 50 kWh. They can provide around 85 miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. CHAdeMO is an older rapid connector that is compatible with Japanese vehicle manufacturers.
Not all public chargers charge for the CHAdeMO connector, so if your car uses it, you will need to use apps like Bonnet to find chargers.
CCS connectors are DC connectors that can charge up to 350 kWh. These chargers can give you anywhere between 85 - 200 miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. These versatile connectors are the European standard DC connector.
Some companies provide charging points in their work car parks. Generally, the chargers you’ll find at workplaces provide between 3 - 7 kWh speeds.
One of the biggest incentives for workplace charging is that many employers pay for the charging done on their charging points. This can make charging at work one of the most affordable ways to fill your electric car.
It’s also a very convenient way to charge as it allows you to charge your car while you work rather than leaving it dormant in the car park.
While some companies might pay for your charging, others won’t. If you are charging at work, you’ll be paying roughly the same as if you charged at home. These chargers are relatively slow and will take a long time to fill up your EV.
Unfortunately, for many electric car drivers, not all companies provide workplace charging, so this won’t be an option for all EV owners.
There are two ways to charge at home. You can use a domestic adapter to charge with your 3-pin plug, or you can have a home charging station installed. Home charging speeds tend to be around 3 - 7 kWh.
Charging at home is a convenient way to charge your EV, as it means you can fill up your car from the comfort of your own home. It is often the cheapest way to charge your EV. There are grants that can help make home charging stations affordable to install in your home.
The best way to use home charging is to charge overnight while you sleep. Your car will be ready with enough charge come morning.
While home charging is very convenient, it is also very slow. These chargers will take a long time to fill your battery up significantly. If you don’t pay for a home charging station, you’ll only be able to charge with your 3-pin plugs, which can damage your home’s wiring.
You can find public charging stations all over the UK at all sorts of speeds, charging at 3 - 350 kWh.
Public chargers can be found all over the country and are the fastest way to charge your EV. They can be very affordable, and some are even free. Public charging networks are the only place you’ll find rapid and ultra-rapid chargers.
There are so many public charging networks that navigating them can be quite complicated. Each network has a different price and needs a unique app download – and possibly a membership.
To find great chargers at reasonable prices, download Bonnet, an app that will save you time and money.
Yes. Electric cars can charge in the rain. Rain does not affect car charging, so there is no reason not to charge in the rain.
How much you pay per charge depends on tariffs and battery size. Generally, you should expect to charge your EV at home for around £6. If you use a public charging station, you should expect to pay more.
Of course, some networks offer to charge at an affordable price, making it cheaper to charge your EV. You should use apps like Bonnet to find affordable public chargers.
Hopefully, the information in this article will help you understand how to charge your electric vehicle. Each car is different and will have different charging times, prices and charging speeds.
It can be overwhelming if you’re out and about and looking for a good public charging station. There are so many choices that it might be tempting to go to your nearest charger. However, this could be a costly mistake, requiring you to pay for a membership, download an app and pay extortionate rates just to charge at a nonoptimal speed.
To avoid being overwhelmed by charging anxiety, you should download Bonnet, our app that allows EV drivers to connect to thousands of charging points across the UK with different speeds, connectors and prices to ensure our customers get the charging experience they desire.
We have over 17+ public charging network partners, so our customers are spoilt for choice. We have a membership option called Bonnet Boosts, which allows drivers to get up to 15% off all their charging within our partners’ networks for just £8 monthly. For just £96 annually, you could shave thousands of pounds off your charging bill.
Bonnet Boosts is the ideal way to charge if you frequently find yourself at public charging stations.
If you want to make public charging more affordable and stress-free, download Bonnet today.
You can charge at home with either a domestic adapter or a home charging station. Charging at home is slow but can be very convenient.
Yes. You can charge your electric car using the 3-pin plug in your house. You must use a domestic adapter to charge at one of your home’s 3-pin plugs. Many EVs come with a domestic adapter when you purchase them; if your EV doesn’t come with an adapter, you can always buy one.
While charging your electric car is cheaper than filling a petrol car, charging is generally not free. However, some public charging points are free to use; most of the free charging points you’ll find are part of the ChargePlace Scotland network.
The exact time it takes to charge an electric car depends on its battery size and charging speed. You can charge a Nissan Leaf fully in less time than a Jaguar I-Pace, even if you use the same charging speed. You can probably fill up your EV in around half an hour if you use rapid chargers.
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