Having an electric vehicle means drivers have to take time out to plan car charges on their journeys before they set off. One of the main challenges in doing so is finding locations in which to charge electric cars.
In this article, we’ll be giving you tips on where you can charge your electric car, the types of charging points available, and how much it costs to charge an electric car. Keep reading!
Charging an electric car
Electric cars rely exclusively on the energy they are charged with, whether you charge your car at home or at a public charging station.
Though there are far fewer charging stations around for electric cars than there are petrol stations, the electric charging network has been growing and spreading quickly across Portugal.
With this increase in the number of electric car charging stations, an increase has also been seen in the charging capacity of these stations, more specifically, the charges they supply.
Where can you charge an electric car?
Electric cars can be charged at home or at public charging points.
- When at home, you can charge your electric vehicle using a conventional plug or via a wallbox.
- When using an electric charging station, car owners use the electric car charging points available on-site.
What voltage do you need to charge an electric car at home?
To charge an electric car at home using a wallbox, your metre needs to provide power of between 3.7 kilowatts (kW) and 22kW.
Chargers with compressed powers of between 3.7 kW and 7.4 kW can connect to single-phase metres, while those with compressed powers of between 11kW and 22kW will require a triple-phase supply.
To be able to connect an electric vehicle charger, you’ll need to increase the power supply of your metre so that it can provide over 4.6 kilovolt-amperes (kVA).
When you install a charger, you should check whether any alterations will need to be made to your power supply to enable your electric car to charge effectively. You may need to contact your energy supplier if changes are required.
Which types of charging stations are available for electric cars?
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Normal EV charging stations
Most public charging stations in Portugal are normal, slow charging stations that have compressed charging powers:
- Between 3.7 kW and 22 kW: which can take up to 5 hours to charge a car the amount required to give it 100km of range.
The charge provided to your car is dependent not only on the energy supplied but also on a car’s charging ability.
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Fast charging stations
Fast charging stations provide varying power supplies.
- Between 22 kW and 50 kW: which only take 20-45 minutes to charge a car the amount required to give it 100km of range.
- Between 150 kW and 160 kW: which only take 10 minutes to charge a car the amount required to give it 100km of range.
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Ultra-fast charging stations
Famous Tesla Superchargers provide the following charging power:
- Between 160 kW and 350 kW: which only take 5 minutes to charge a car the amount required to give it 100km of range.
It’s worth noting that this type of charging is expensive and regular use of these stations is best avoided, as they can damage your car battery.
What types of EV charging sockets are there?
EV charging stations will generally have one of 2 different types of sockets:
- The first type of plug socket is blue and provides a CHAdeMO connection.
- The second type of plug socket (Mennekes) provides a CCS Combo connection.
When choosing one or the other, you should opt for the power socket most compatible with your vehicle.
Which EV charging stations can you use to charge your electric car?
You can use any of the options above, as most public charging stations provide power sockets compatible with most electric vehicles.
When using any public electric charging station, however, it’s important you take into account both the technical specificities of your vehicle and those of the charging point. You should also try to adjust the maximum power provided to your car.
Where can you charge an electric car when you’re out and about?
Electric vehicles can be charged using public charging stations within cities, at public charging stations within motorway service stations, or in certain locations with their own chargers, such as hotels and museums.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car on a public road?
The cost of charging your car using a public network will depend on three factors:
- The cost of the energy used to charge the vehicle (which will depend on the price charged by the energy supplier);
- The charge applied for using the charging point (which will depend on the supplier and charging time);
- Fees and taxes (IEC – Excise Duty on Energy – and VAT).
Is it safe to charge an electric car on a public road?
Yes, it is safe to charge your electric car on a public road. Each charging point is fitted with a locking system that does not allow the charging cable to be removed without authorisation.
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