The Beginner’s Guide To Charging Your Electric Car In Public

The electric car market has grown exponentially in recent years, with more and more people switching to this sustainable and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation. While charging your electric car at home is relatively simple and straightforward, doing so in public can be a bit more complicated.

In this blog post, we will outline the basics of how to charge your electric car in public so you can prepare for your new electric vehicle. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. So read on for all you need to know about charging your electric car in public!

What Is A Public EV Charger?

A public EV charger, also known as an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), is a device that supplies electricity to an electric car from an external power source. Public EV chargers are typically found in parking lots, garages, and other public spaces.

How To Use A Public Charging EV Station

It doesn’t matter if you have a Tesla, a Chevy Bolt, or any other type of electric car—all EVs use a similar basic process to charge up at a public station. Here’s what you need to do:

Find An Open Spot And Locate The Charging Cable

The first thing you’ll need to do is find an open spot at the charging station. Once you’ve found a spot, locate the charging cable. The cable will be hooked up to the station and will usually be color-coded to match the ports on your car. However, you may encounter a charger where you must use your cable to connect to the station. Thankfully, most EVs supply this charger, so you should be able to locate your own in the trunk.

Connect To Your Car’s Charging Port

Once you’ve located the charging cable, it’s time to connect it to your car’s charging port. Most cars have charging ports located on the front or back of the vehicle. If you’re not sure where yours is, consult your car’s owner’s manual for more information.

Your car may come with various connectors for different types of charging. For example, you may have fast charging and regular charging ports. Make sure to choose the right connector for the type of charge you’re looking for. Once you’ve connected the cable, the charger will automatically start supplying electricity to your car.

Connect Your Car Using Authentication

Some public charging stations will require you to authenticate your connection before electricity starts flowing. This is usually done by swipe card, fob, or smartphone app. Make sure to read the instructions on the station before you start charging to find out what type of authentication is required. Once you’ve authenticated, the charger will begin supplying power to your car.

Start Charging Your Electric Car!

And that’s it—you’re now ready to start charging your electric car! Depending on the charger, it may take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to fully charge your car. So make sure to plan accordingly and leave yourself plenty of time to charge up.

Most public chargers will have a display that shows how much power is being delivered, as well as the estimated time remaining until your car is fully charged. This can be helpful in planning your charging time and making sure you don’t run out of juice before you’re ready to go.

Once your car is fully charged, simply unplug the charging cable and be on your way! Don’t forget to disconnect the authentication device if one is required.