There are two basic ways to charge an EV: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). Which one suits you depends on how you use the car during the day.
AC charging
The on-board charger converts alternating current from the grid into direct current for the battery. Power is limited by the car's charger: 7.4 kW (single-phase) or 11 kW (three-phase) in most cars. A full charge of a 60 kWh battery takes 7 to 9 hours. It is ideal for overnight charging at home or all-day charging at work, and the cheapest method.
DC fast charging
Conversion takes place inside the station and current goes straight to the battery. At 60-180 kW, 10-80% fills in 18 to 40 minutes. It is used on road trips and for quick top-ups during the day.
Socket types
- Type 2: the European AC charging standard. Found on Amperya AC points as a socket or a tethered cable.
- CCS2: the DC fast-charging standard that adds two DC pins beneath the Type 2 connector.
- CHAdeMO: a DC standard in some older cars; available only at selected hubs.
The charging curve
As the battery nears full, charging power falls. Continuing past 80% is often inefficient, so aiming for 10-80% on trips saves time. Our calculator reflects this effect with an average-power factor.
Tips
- Charging slows when the battery is cold; if possible switch on pre-conditioning from the navigation.
- When charging finishes, move the car from the bay promptly so others can use it.