Finding a charger starts with you.

Finding a public charger: where do you start?

A good charging spot is more than a dot on the map. Start with the area where you want to charge: close to home, at your destination or along the way. Then check whether the connector suits your car and whether the charging speed fits the time you have.

Check access too. A charger may be in a car park with opening hours, for example. Parking can have different rules or costs than the charging itself. And a listed charger is no guarantee that the spot is free when you arrive.

Often searching in the same area? Save a few useful locations. A nearby alternative is handy when your first choice is taken.

AC charging or DC fast charging: what’s the difference?

A regular charger supplies alternating current (AC), usually at 11 or 22 kW. The charger inside your car converts it for the battery, and that on-board charger decides how much power you actually get. Many electric cars charge on AC at 7.4 or 11 kW. Only some models reach 22 kW, sometimes as an optional extra.

A fast charger supplies direct current (DC) and bypasses the on-board charger. Fast chargers start at around 50 kW. Newer stations often deliver 150 kW or more, the most powerful up to about 400 kW. Can’t your car handle that? The charger then matches the power to what your car accepts. A more powerful charger won’t damage your car, but it won’t charge faster than your car allows either.

Why fast charging to 80% is smartest

Fast charging is quickest in the middle part of the battery. Going from about 10–20% to 80% usually takes around 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the car and charger. A warm battery charges faster than a cold one.

Above 80%, charging power drops sharply. The car slows charging to protect the battery, so the last few percent take relatively long. Don’t need that extra range? Drive on at 80%. It saves time and frees the charger for the next driver.

Is fast charging bad for your battery?

Fast charging now and then is fine. The car monitors the battery temperature while charging and lowers the power if it gets too hot.

If you almost always use fast chargers, the battery may wear faster over time. So prefer slower charging when your car is parked for a long time anyway, and use fast chargers mainly on the road.

Interestingly, fast charging loses relatively little energy. Slow charging actually loses more. Still, fast charging is usually the most expensive way to charge, because the price per kWh is often higher.

Which connector does your electric car use?

You need a compatible connector to charge. Check your manual or vehicle details to see which plug your car supports and whether it can fast charge. A powerful charger is only useful if the connector matches too.

In Europe, Type 2 is the standard for regular chargers. For fast charging, almost all fully electric cars use a CCS connector. A few, often older, models use CHAdeMO, but they are becoming rare. Some plug-in hybrids can fast charge too; check this for your model.

Setting up your car in Laadslim helps you search more precisely. At a specific location, also check whether you need to bring your own cable and which payment methods are accepted.

How fast does your car really charge?

The power shown on a charger is a maximum, not a promise for every session. The actual power also depends on the car, the state of charge, the battery temperature and the power available at the location.

Use a calculation like this as a guide. Especially when fast charging, the power can change during the session. So don’t just compare the maximum kW, but also how much energy you need and how long you want to stop.

Charging time mainly depends on two things: your car’s maximum charging power and the size of the battery. Many recent family cars can fast charge at 100 to 150 kW. On a regular charger, adding a large part of the battery easily takes four to ten hours.

Charging at home or at work

For petrol or diesel you always have to go to a filling station. An electric car usually charges where it’s parked anyway: at home, at work or at your destination. The battery fills up while you sleep or work, without costing you extra time.

With your own charger you decide when to charge, for example at night or when electricity is cheap. A dynamic energy contract can save you even more.

You mainly need a fast charger when your trip is longer than your range. Plan that stop for when you want a break anyway: for lunch, a coffee or to stretch your legs.

What does public charging cost?

There is no fixed rate for all public chargers. Your final price can depend on the charging operator, your charging card and the payment method. Check the price per kWh and whether a start fee, time fee or other extra charge applies.

Don’t forget parking costs: paying for charging doesn’t automatically include parking. The operator’s terms and the rules at the location apply. Check them before you start charging.

Fast charging is usually more expensive per kWh than charging at a regular charger or at home. Rates vary by operator and location. A widely accepted charging card gives you access to more fast chargers and fewer surprises.

Finding fast chargers on the road

In the Netherlands, fast chargers are mostly found at filling stations and service areas along motorways, and more are being added. The network is growing across Europe too: under EU rules, the main European motorways should have a fast charging station roughly every 60 kilometres.

With Laadslim you search for chargers around your location or destination that match your car’s connector. So you see faster which spot on your route suits you.