As the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow, drivers are discovering the convenience of charging their cars in a variety of locations. While the majority of EV charging still takes place at home, public charging remains crucial for many, with approximately 31% of EV drivers regularly using public and commercial charging spots.
Using a public charger isn't overly complicated, but there are certain considerations to keep in mind, and the process differs significantly from charging at home. This article will walk you through the basics of public charging and outline the four primary steps required to charge your electric vehicle at a public charging station.
### What Is Public EV Charging?
Before diving into the specifics of using a public EV charger, it’s useful to define what it entails. Public chargers refer to stations that are openly accessible and usable by anyone. Unlike a home charging station, these are not owned by individual EV drivers. Public charging stations can range from high-speed chargers at highway rest areas to those found in public parking garages and shopping centers. Now that we've clarified what constitutes a public charger, let’s explore how to use one.
### How to Use Public Electric Car Charging Stations
#### Step 1: Obtain the Charging Cable
Upon arriving at a public charging station, the first thing to do is locate the charging cable. In many instances, the cable will already be attached to the charger itself. However, in some cases, you may need to use your own charging cable, which is usually provided by the car manufacturer and stored in the trunk. It’s important to note that connectors and cables vary depending on the region and the type of charger, so it’s worth checking what’s commonly used in your area.
#### Step 2: Connect the Car to the Charging Station
After finding the charging cable, the next step is to connect it to your car. If the cable is built into the charger, simply attach it to your car’s charging port. This port is generally located where a gas cap would be on a gasoline-powered vehicle—on either side—but some models have the socket hidden beneath the badge at the front. Many cars have separate connectors for regular and fast charging, so if the plug looks unfamiliar, it could be due to this distinction. Most vehicles support fast charging, so if the plug fits, your car should be compatible. If it doesn’t fit, avoid forcing it, as it likely isn’t the correct cable for your vehicle.
If you’re using your own cable, you’ll need to connect it to both the charging station and your car. The charging port is usually easy to spot, though it may have a protective cover that needs to be lifted.
#### Step 3: Authenticate and Begin Charging
Once the car and charging station are connected, it’s time to initiate the charging session. To start charging, you'll typically need to authenticate yourself to ensure the charging station can arrange payment to your account. This is often done via a keycard, fob, or a dedicated smartphone app, depending on the charger. Some stations allow you to start the charging session directly by swiping your debit or credit card.
As soon as the charger recognizes you, charging will begin. This is often indicated by lights on the charger and sometimes on the car itself, which may change color or start blinking in a specific pattern. While your vehicle is charging, you can monitor the progress on the car’s dashboard, the charging station, or through the app (if you’re using one).
#### Step 4: End the Charging Session
When your EV reaches the desired charge level, it’s time to conclude the charging session. This is typically done the same way as starting it: by swiping your card or fob on the charging station or stopping it through the app. During the charging process, the cable is usually locked to the car to prevent theft and reduce the risk of electric shock. After finishing, you might need to unlock the cable from the car’s dashboard before removing it.
The final step is to disconnect the cable and return it to the charger (if it was built-in) or store it in your trunk (if you brought your own). Your EV is now fully charged and ready for the road!
### How Does EV Charging Work?
While the above steps explain how to use a public charging station, you may wonder how EV charging works in general and what factors differentiate charging stations. Fundamentally, all charging stations function by delivering power to an EV’s battery. However, they differ in terms of the type of current and the intensity of the power they provide.
#### AC vs. DC Charging
One major difference between charging stations is whether they supply **alternating current (AC)** or **direct current (DC)**. Simply put, AC current alternates its direction multiple times per second, whereas DC current flows steadily in one direction. Globally, our electrical grids operate on AC, but most electronics, including EV batteries, store electricity in DC. Therefore, converting AC to DC must occur at some point during the charging process.
With AC charging stations, alternating current is sent to the car, where an onboard converter transforms it into DC. In contrast, DC charging stations convert AC to DC themselves, allowing power to bypass the vehicle’s slower onboard converter and feed directly into the battery. Consequently, the fastest EV chargers are almost always DC, often referred to as **DC fast chargers**. These chargers can deliver up to 350 kW of power, enabling an EV to charge in roughly 15 minutes. DC fast chargers are essential for long-distance EV travel, allowing drivers to recharge quickly while on the road.
### Why Charge Your EV at Public Charging Stations?
If you're new to EVs, you might wonder why you'd opt for public charging stations over home charging. After all, home charging is convenient and provides more than enough range for most daily commutes. Unlike gas-powered vehicles, EVs can be charged virtually anywhere there’s a power source. This opens the door to opportunistic charging—plugging in whenever it’s convenient and accessible, rather than solely when necessary.
For instance, imagine you’re returning home from work and stop at the grocery store to pick up supplies for the week. If the store offers public EV charging, you could plug in while shopping and boost your battery level.
Today, **26% of EV drivers regularly charge at supermarkets, 22% at shopping malls, and 31% in public or commercial locations overall**. Public charging stations provide flexibility and adaptability, making them ideal for unplanned stops or extended trips.
### How to Find Public EV Charging Stations
Unlike gas stations, which are ubiquitous and easy to locate, public EV charging stations are often less conspicuous and scattered across various locations. The simplest way to find these stations is by downloading a **charging station finder app** on your smartphone. While there are numerous options available, most apps offer similar features, such as displaying nearby chargers along with critical details like charging speed, the number of available spots, and real-time availability.
While general map apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps can also show public charging stations, they might not display all chargers in an area and lack the real-time data that dedicated charging apps provide.
### How to Pay at Public EV Charging Stations
Another key aspect of public EV charging is payment. Unlike gas stations, which often have attendants and cashiers, EV charging is entirely self-service. Thus, you’ll need to handle payment independently and will rarely be able to use cash.
In general, there are two main ways to pay for EV charging. First, if you have an account with a charge point operator or mobility service provider, you’ll typically receive an RFID card or fob that allows you to identify yourself at public charging points. In this case, charges are usually added to your account and billed later.
Alternatively, some public charging stations offer the option to pay directly with a contactless debit or credit card or through the charging app. This approach provides more flexibility by enabling you to use chargers from different networks. However, some operators may charge higher rates for card payments, and tracking expenses can be less straightforward.
Public EV charging represents a new and innovative experience, offering unparalleled flexibility and adapting to your lifestyle. We hope this article has addressed your queries about public charging and alleviated any uncertainties you may have had.
If you’d like to learn more about EV charging or are considering purchasing your first EV, check out our comprehensive charging guide.
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