How does a charging station work? Charging your electric car
Charging an electric car is a crucial aspect of electric driving. Here you will discover everything you need to know about how a charging station works and the different ways of charging and the essential components that make it possible.
Charge card
When you want to charge your electric car, you need a charging pass. This pass is your key to the world of electric charging. It is your identification at a charging station, allowing the supplier to know who used the electricity and who should bear the costs. There are several providers of charging passes, including the ANWB charging pass, which provides access to public charging points in the Netherlands and even to many charging points across Europe.
How does a charging station work?
A charging station acts as a kind of power outlet for your electric car, whether it is wall-mounted or freestanding. When you connect your EV to a charging station, charging of the battery pack in the car begins. Unlike some public charging points, there is usually no charging cable attached to the charging station. You have to bring your own charging cable. If you choose to install a charging station at home, you can decide whether to attach a charging cable to it or not.
Different charging speeds: regular charging vs fast charging
The rate of charging your electric car can vary and depends on several factors. In general, there are two types of charging: ‘regular charging’ and ‘fast charging’.
- Ordinary charging: With ordinary charging, you use a regular charging station, whether private or public. If you have your own charging station, you usually do not need a subscription. For public charging posts, however, this is usually required and involves a charging card. Charging at regular charging stations runs at a ‘normal’ speed and takes several hours, depending on your car and the type of charging station.
- Fast charging: Fast charging can be done at dedicated fast charging stations. These charging stations are designed to provide electric cars with a considerable amount of energy in a short time. This makes it possible to get your EV back on the road quickly.
Smart charging in residential areas
The government is introducing the Smart Charging for All programme in 2023. This initiative aims to optimise electric charging as the number of electric cars continues to grow. Smart charging means that EVs charge more slowly during periods of high power demand in residential areas, such as during the evening peak. At times when more capacity is available, charging is accelerated. This concept helps use the existing power grid more efficiently and avoid overcharging.
