Types of electric car chargers: everything you need to know
Mar 25, 2025
The electric car charger is just as important for electric vehicle users as gas stations are for traditional transportation. However, the use of electric cars can be much more economical, as electricity is cheaper than traditional fuels. Moreover, maintenance costs are also lower because they have fewer moving and wear parts. They are less complex than internal combustion engine cars, which means fewer parts can fail.
In our blog, you can read numerous articles about the world of electric cars, about charging as well, but we have not yet discussed what types of chargers exist. Let's take a look!
Home electric car charger: a convenient solution
The majority of electric car owners use their home charger most frequently. The main advantage is that while you are at home, for example at night, the car can be conveniently charged. These are slower, typically operating on 1 or 3 phases, with a power output of 6-32 amps.
These chargers use alternating current and connect to the car with a Type1 or Type2 connector. Their maximum power usually ranges between 2-22 kW, and the charging time is influenced by the size of the car's battery and the power of the built-in onboard charger. For example, a 24 kWh Nissan LEAF can be fully charged in about 7-8 hours with a 16 A, 3.7 kW charger, while a 74 kWh BMW iX3 reaches the 100% level in a similar time with an 11 kW wall charger.
Factory charger: good to have on hand, but not for permanent use
It is possible that the electric car you purchased comes with a factory charger, which allows charging from sockets. These so-called emergency chargers typically operate at a power of 10 amps, which means slow charging speed. As the name suggests, these chargers are best used in emergencies when no other charging options are available, but we do not recommend them for regular use.
Wall Mounted version: A Practical Form of Electric Car Charging
Wall chargers represent the professional level of home charging. These devices, which typically have a power range of 7-22 kW, are permanently installed in garages or parking lots. The Voltie modern wall chargers are easy to use and reliable, while also providing faster charging times than emergency chargers.
Fast Chargers: For Longer Trips
Fast chargers are the quickest and are suitable for providing the energy needed to continue a journey during longer breaks. These DC charging stations are capable of 50-350 kW, which means that charging an electric vehicle's battery to 80% takes only 15-30 minutes. You will generally find them along highways, but they're increasingly popping up in big cities as well.
An electric car charger, whether at home or on the street, is now an accessible option for everyone. Whether you need energy at home or on the go, there's nothing stopping you from quickly and conveniently charging your vehicle. If you want to learn more about the topic, browse our website, and feel free to ask us!
