Refuelling’s pretty straightforward. Just pick the right fuel type and whether you want regular or premium, and you’re good to go! However, with electrics, things can sometimes feel a little more confusing. After all, there are multiple different types of electric chargers for EVs.
This can potentially leave you scratching your head and unsure which EV charger you need. If you want to check using the registration number, that’s all you need. A simple car check can reveal the exact EV charger type required. We have also outlined everything you need to know to help you today.
The Three Types of EV Chargers
There are three main categories to consider when thinking about EV chargers, and these primarily relate to speed. These are as follows:
- You’ll usually find slow EV chargers (3 to 6 kW) in homes. These are ideal for recharging your car during your downtime, but a full charge may take as long as 12 hours. This makes them good choices for overnight charging in many cases.
- Fast EV chargers (7 - 22 kW) are common in many commercial charging locations, such as car parks. Most people usually use these as a short term top-up while doing other activities, such as the weekly shop. However, a full charge with these takes around 4-6 hours; given their typical availability in car parks, you probably won’t want to rely on these exclusively to charge your EV.
- Rapid EV chargers (43 - 150+ kW) blow the other chargers out of the water in terms of charging speed! Rapids can provide a full charge potentially in as little as half an hour. Motorway services often have these types of chargers, making them ideal for long-haul journeys.
How Connectors Vary By Charger Type
We’ve already looked at the basics of charging speed, but connector types are always crucial to consider. Indeed, not all chargers have the same connectors, and certain models of car may use a less common type.
Generally speaking, most UK or EU models will use a type 2 connector for AC charging. These can be used with both slow and fast chargers, but may not work with rapid chargers. Meanwhile, models such as Tesla cars use the supercharger network and have their own unique connector: the Tesla Type 2 or CCS.
That all said, beware if you’re thinking of buying second hand! Some older EVs use different chargers, such as the older Nissan Leaf using a Type 1 AC charger. This is paramount to check before buying an electric to ensure you purchase the correct charger connector.
If you are not sure which EV charger type a vehicle uses, you can find the exact charging details by running a car history report with Full Car Checks. The report shows the compatible charger types, how long the vehicle takes to charge, and other important information that outlines the full history of the car.
How to Charge Your Car
There are several ways to charge an electric vehicle, including charging at home or using dedicated public charging points. The most cost-effective option is usually installing a home charging point. If you have a driveway, this is straightforward, and you can either use a standard 3-pin plug for occasional charging or install a dedicated home charger for faster and more efficient charging.
If you do not have a driveway or a designated parking space, you may be able to use a cross-pavement charging solution. This typically requires permission from your local council, who will assess the location and carry out the work if approved. More information on this option can be found via your local council’s website.
Always Check Your Car’s Compatibility First!
It’s easy to assume that any EV will work with any electric charger. However, that’s actually surprisingly far from the truth! Indeed, electric chargers have very specific types of connectors, and not all models will work. Given this, taking a few moments to check your new EV is compatible with your choice of charger is paramount.
Of course, just checking the charging compatibility is only a tiny part of the decision when purchasing a new car. And, if you’re buying second hand, the list of things to check becomes exponentially longer. Fortunately, running a car history check allows you to very quickly see the history and details of a used car. Therein, finding a model that’s right for you - without unexpected baggage - should become a lot easier.
