Understanding the Differences Between Charging Stations, Chargers, Charging Points, and Charging Guns

Electric vehicle (EV) sales are steadily picking up in India. With cost-conscious and environmentally aware Indians beginning to transition to EVs, many questions about charging infrastructure are surfacing from both current EV owners and prospective buyers. In this blog, we decode some key terms to simplify the EV charging experience and address range anxiety.

What Are Public Charging Stations and Hubs?

Charging stations serve the same purpose for EVs as fuel stations do for petrol or diesel vehicles. Much like fuel pumps, charging stations allow multiple vehicles to recharge simultaneously. You can also make payments and check out independently.

However, unlike traditional fuel stations, most charging stations are standalone installations and are often set up within existing businesses like restaurants, malls, or even fuel stations. This can make them harder to spot. To locate them easily, download EV charging apps like EVJoints.

Another key difference is that most charging stations are unmanned, meaning you’ll have to charge your EV yourself. (Tip: Check out our guide on how to use a public charging station.)

EV charging hubs, on the other hand, are larger setups designed to host multiple chargers. Think of hubs as the EV equivalent of large, standalone fuel stations, complete with a visible structure and typically manned by staff to assist you in charging.

What Are Chargers at EV Charging Stations?

Chargers are like the fuel dispensers you find in petrol or diesel stations. A typical charging station hosts 2-3 charger units, while hubs may have over 30 chargers.

Some chargers are designed for speed (DC fast chargers), while others take a more leisurely pace (AC slow chargers). Each type caters to different needs. (Want to know more? Read about the differences between AC and DC charging.)

What Are Charging Points?

Charging points are where electricity flows into your vehicle, think of them as the hoses connected to fuel dispensers. Most chargers have two charging points, and each point has a specific power rating, such as 30 kW or 40 kW.

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.

This rating indicates the maximum charging speed a point can deliver. (Learn more about charging speeds and how they differ from battery capacity.)

What Are Charging Guns?

Charging guns are like the nozzles at the end of fuel hoses. They connect the charger to the EV. However, unlike fuel nozzles, charging guns come in different types based on their connectors or plugs.

For example, Type 2 AC connectors and CCS2 DC connectors are the most commonly used for passenger EVs in India. (Explore the various types of connectors available in India.)

Conclusion

By understanding the differences between charging stations, chargers, charging points, and charging guns, you’re better equipped to navigate the EV charging process. With this knowledge, your next visit to a charging station will be a breeze!

If you found this blog helpful, share it with your friends and family. Have questions about EV terms? Drop them in the comments—we’d be happy to simplify them for you. Happy charging!