How to charge an EV

Everything you need to know

When it comes to charging your electric vehicle, there’s a lot to learn. To help make your switch to battery-powered mobility easier, we explain everything you need to know about the basics of EV charging. Whether it is at home or on the road, Ayvens provides an extensive guide for all your electric charging needs.

How to recharge your battery at home, work, or in public

Whether you’re using a home charging point or a public one, it’s easy to recharge your battery if you follow these simple steps.

Public charging

Do you need to charge on the go? Public charging networks are growing each year across Europe and beyond. No need to worry about running out of range when there's always a public charger close by. We've got you covered with everything you need to know about using public chargers. From the speed, the costs, and using charge cards.

Home charging

Charging at home conveniently enables you to wake up to a fully charged electric vehicle. But it’s only an option for specific living situations. If home charging is for you, you’ll need to know all about the advantages and costs. You’ll also need to learn about the different types of charging points and how to get, install and manage one of your own.

Charging speeds: How fast can I charge?

The answer is - it depends.

Different types of charging points offer different speeds, and your EV will be limited by its ability to receive and convert that electricity. If your car has an 11 kW onboard charger and you plug into a 7.4 kW home charger, you will only be charging at 7.4 kW. The car could take more power, but the charging point is limited. If your EV has a 6.6 kW onboard charger and you plug it into a standard, single-phase home 7.4 kW charging point, you will be limited to charging at 6.6 kW because the EV can’t take more.

Rapid charging

Need a boost of power fast? No problem. Just find a service station with a rapid charger and you can charge your car up to 80% full within 15-40 minutes. Most public rapid chargers are rated at 150 kW - much quicker than a home 7.4 kW charger - and newer ones are popping up that range to an ultra-rapid 350 kW.

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EV charging FAQs

What are the different ways to charge an EV? You can charge your electric car at home, at work, or at a public station on the road.How can I charge my EV at home? In a home that has parking space on the premises, you can request and install your own charging station. When you have parking in a shared building, you may need to discuss installing a charging point with one or more of the following: the building manager, the property owner, your co-owners or other tenants.How can I charge an EV on the road? Public charging points are a handy way to charge your car. There are apps which show you maps with the existing charging stationsWhat happens if my EV runs out of battery? Having your EV battery reach 0% while you’re out and about is not ideal. If your battery is low, we recommend finding a charging station as soon as possible to charge. However, if your battery has died then there is not much you can do. You will need to call roadside assistance and have your car towed or picked up on a flatbed truck.