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EV public charging

Everything you need to know about charging on the go

If you want to charge your car while out and about, you use public charging stations. Good to know – there are different types of public charging points, from slower chargers to fast chargers so check what you need. There are many apps that you can use to find the closest charger and more and more EVs have in car navigation to help you find the right charger.

Charging map

How much does it cost to charge in public?

The costs to charge in public depend on the operator of the charging station. Prices can include a starting fee (one-off) and can be based on either per minute or per kWh. Check with your employer what’s allowed in terms of charging in public.

Using a fast charger is more expensive than standard public charging stations or charging at home. It’s good to see if the speed advantage is worth it compared to the higher cost.

Minute based charging: The operator charges you based on the time your car is connected to the charging station. This means that you pay as long as you are parked at the charging station, even after charging has been completed. For charging stations that use this system, fast charger you may see a sign that says: "charges apply as long as your car is connected to the charging station, even when the charging process has already stopped".

Charging per kWh: This operator charges based on of the kWh consumption in combination with the parking time at the charging station.

When you have a business lease with Ayvens, the costs of charging your car is covered by your employer via Ayvens.

Discover the do's and don'ts of using public chargers in our blog.

Public Charging: Dos and Don'ts

  1. símbolo certoWhat not to do
  2. chargingWhat you should do

Tips for charging abroad

When taking your EV abroad, there are a few things you need to consider. Will my charging card work everywhere? What infrastructure is available? How to plan the best route? It might seem like a lot at first but with a little planning you’ll be good to go!

The CEME card

The CEME card allows you to charge throughout the public charging network. To find out where these chargers are, simply go to the Mobi.pt website or use the apps available on the market, such as the Miio App. LeasePlan will also soon be offering an app that will allow you to charge and check the location of public chargers.

Your charging card gives you access to an extensive network of public charging stations in Portugal. You'll always have a charging station near you!

How can I charge my electric vehicle at home?

How should I charge my electric vehicle? The battery is the heart of your electric vehicle, so you must take good care of it. When you fill up your car with petrol or diesel, you usually think: "The fuller, the better". In electric vehicles, lithium batteries will last longer if you keep them charged between 20% and 80%. Although a full charge is not ideal, it’s not the end of the world – so long as you don’t leave your car parked for a long time after a full charge. Fully draining your battery’s charge is also not advisable. If this happens, it is important to recharge your car as soon as possible. How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle? Different chargers offer different charging speeds, although charging time is also influenced by the vehicle’s capacity. PHEVs charge at speeds of 3.7 kW to 7.5 kW, and as a rule in slow charging. In these types of vehicles, the battery has a capacity of about 10 kWh, so in order to fully charge the battery, which has a charging speed of 3.7 kW, it will take approximately 3 hours. 100% electric cars charge at speeds of 7.5 kWh to 22 kWh or up to 150 kW, depending on the current used – alternating (AC) for slow charging or direct (DC) for fast charging. For example: a car with a 50 kWh battery, with a charging speed of 22 kW in AC, will take approximately 2.5 hours to charge. If in direct current, with a charging speed of 50 kW, it will take approximately 45 minutes to reach the maximum limit of 80% of battery capacity (in DC, in order to preserve the battery life).