How to Connect Your Electric Vehicle to a Charging Station: A Beginner’s Guide

Charging your electric vehicle (EV) is an integral part of owning an EV. It is an intimidating thing in the beginning; but when you get to know about the types of charging stations and how to use them, the task would get simplified. This exhaustive guide will give you steps on how to connect your EV to the charging station to ensure a smooth sailing experience.

Understanding EV Charging Levels

Before you connect your electric vehicle to a charging station, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the various charging levels. This knowledge will aid you in deciding the most suitable charging option for your situation.

Level 1 Charging (Slow Charging)

Level 1 charging makes use of a standard 120V electrical outlet. It is the simplest and possibly slowest way to charge the vehicle. It provides a range of 2 to 5 km per hour anytime charging is going on. This option is normally available at home without any special installation.

Late at night, when your EV is parked at home, charging through this method, and though slow, Level 1 charging can be quite convenient given that you have time and access to a standard outlet.

Level 2 Charging (Faster Charging)

Level 2 charging requires a 240V outlet, quite like the one needed by large home appliances with dryers being a very good example. It charges at a rate that transfers 10 to 25 km of range per hour, so much faster than Level 1.

Level 2 chargers are commonly installed in public locations, in parking garages, or homes with the help of a professional. So, for an EV owner requiring faster charging at home or while parked publicly, Level 2 is the best choice.

DC Fast Charging (Level 3)

These are considered to be the fastest charging methods. They supply 100 to 200+ km of range to an EV in about 30 minutes. Such chargers are typically located along highways for long-distance travel.

By using direct current (DC) to charge the vehicle and hence bypassing the onboard charger of the vehicle. DC Fast Charger can deliver much faster speeds for charging. As these stations were designed to be quick stops for EV drivers who need to recharge on the go, these devices allow a driver to get faster charges on the road.

Steps to Connect your EV to a charging station

Step 1: Pinpoint Your Vehicles Charging Port

The first step in charging your EV at a charging station is finding your vehicle’s charging port. Different makes and models will vary slightly in location but should generally be on either the front, side, or rear of your vehicle.

Most electric vehicles will use either a Type 1 or Type 2 connector, with Type 2 being the most common in India. Just be sure the connector types the charging station offers are compatible with your vehicle’s charging port.

The charging port is usually labeled with a symbol and many EVs even have a light indicator to show charging progress once plugged in.

Being aware of the connector type of your car will prevent any confusion when you connect to charging stations in the future!

Step 2: Choose an appropriate charging station 

There are multiple locations to charge your EV depending on your charging requirements. Here are some possibilities:

Home Charging

The best option is to use a Level 2 home charger typically, you can charge it overnight. Home chargers generally hook up to a 240V outlet, although some vehicles have smart charging features that allow you to schedule the start time of the charge as well to take advantage of paying less for electricity during off-peak use.

Scan the barcode and download the EVJoints app to find 6,000 EV charging stations across various networks.

Click & download the EVJoints app to find 6,000 charging stations.

You can also use Level 1 charging, but this will be very slow, so it is not recommended unless you are going to charge overnight or if you never drive for each day.

Public Charging

If you are not at home, public charging stations are a convenient option. In India, apps like EVJoints and Plug Share can help you locate nearby charging stations across different networks of charging stations and check their real-time availability. These apps are user-friendly and widely used by EV owners across the country.

Public charging stations usually offer Level 2 chargers, but you may also find some that have DC Fast chargers so you can charge faster. Be aware any public station may require a subscription or membership card to start charging.

Using an app or mapping service to find a charging station near you is very useful in planning longer trips or just knowing how easy it may be to find a charging station in your area.

Step 3: Attach to the Charger

Once you have found a charging station, now is the time to attach your EV.

• Park your EV: Park your EV in a position where your charging port is easily accessible. The charging stations typically have EV parking spots, make sure to park in one of those.
• Open your EV charging port: Most vehicles have a switch or an electronic button to open the EV charging port. Other cars may simply have a latch or a cover you need to remove first.
• Choose the appropriate connector: Charging stations could have multiple connectors. You have to choose the one that fits your EV port (ex. Type 1 or Type 2, or in terms of DC fast charging, either a CCS Combo or a CHAdeMO connector).
• Insert the connector: Once you have the connector chosen, take the connector and firmly plug it into your EV charging port. You should hear a clicking noise or have a light indicator that confirms the connection is secure.
• Find out the charging status: Most charging stations have a light or notification on the screen to let you know you are charging, or your dashboard should show that you are charging.

Step 4: Start the Charging Session

The next step to charge your electric vehicle is to start charging.

If the charging station requires payment, make sure to complete the transaction before your charging session begins. In India, payments are typically made using credit/debit cards, UPI, or mobile apps linked to the charging provider.

If the station requires a mobile app to connect completely, then you will be prompted to open the mobile application of that charging network, scan the QR code presented on the station, and follow the prompts until the charging session starts. If charging with a mobile app is not required, you can often start charging from the charging station interface where the charging session will begin.

DC Fast Chargers (Fast and Level 3 charging): The process is similar to conventional stations, but the charging speeds and times will be much faster. The DC Fast Charger unit in particular is useful when you need to quickly recharge your electric vehicle.

Step 5: Tune In to Your Charging Progress

While your vehicle is charging, there are a variety of ways to tune in to the progress:

• Charging Time: The station and your vehicle’s dashboard will tell you how much time is remaining for the battery to be fully charged.
• Charging Level: You can see the percentage of battery charged. Depending on the station and app, you can also see how many km per hour the charging is taking place.
• Cost: Some public charging stations will display the cost of the session based on the time of charging or energy consumed (measured in kWh).

Many charging networks also offer mobile apps for you to track your charging status remotely.

Step 6: Ending your charge session

Once your EV is charged enough, it will be time for you to disconnect the EV, and continue your trip.

• Stop Charging Session: You will usually stop the charging session via the station interface, EV charging app, or removing an RFID card, depending on the charging station setup; this usually also releases the connector from your vehicle.
• Remove connector: Gently remove the cable from your EV charging port – securing the connector into its station holder.
• Close Charging Port: After the cable has been removed ensure that your vehicle charging port is closed, to protect it from dirt and debris.

Pro Tips for Better Charging

• Consider these additional tips for improving the charging experience.
• Charging at Off-Peak Hours: Sometimes, energy providers will offer low rates in the off-peak hours, and charging during those times can help save you money, especially if you use Level 2 chargers in your home.
• Battery Health Monitoring: Always avoid dropping your battery charge down to 0% and overcharging your battery to 100%. Sticking with 20% and 80% for battery long-run health and performance.
• Utilize Smart Charging Features: Most Level 2 home chargers contain smart charging features that allow the user to set charging during off-peak hours to save costs on electricity.

Conclusion

Learning to connect your EV to a charging station is essential. The main pieces of information in the process of charging are the availability of charging stations, and how to connect and charge it. If you understand the concepts we have discussed and follow these straightforward processes, you will charge your EV to stay charged and keep on driving. Regardless of charging level, whether it be with a Level 1, Level 2, or a DC Fast charger, it’s an easy process and the benefits of an EV (cost, environmental) make it worth it!