There are a few things to consider when charging an electric car at a public charging station. We clarify all questions.
At first glance, charging an electric car in public doesn't seem to be much more complicated than refueling a combustion engine. Finding an electric car charging station is also becoming easier and easier thanks to the constantly improving charging infrastructure in Germany. But appearances are deceptive. As an electric car driver, you currently have to fight your way through a jungle of various billing systems, different electricity tariffs and different access systems, where it is easy to lose track.
There are currently more than 160,000 public charging points for electric cars in Germany. Two thirds of these charging stations have an accelerated charging speed. This means that not only is it becoming easier and easier to find a suitable charging station, charging is often much faster than it was a few years ago.
The charging process for an electric car is actually not very different from refueling a combustion engine, but it does have a few special features.
Step 1: Park your car next to the charging station
Step 2: Switch off the engine
Step 3: Register at the charging station
Step 4: Connect the charging cable
Step 5: Start the charging process
Step 6: Charging process finished; the system stops automatically
Step 7: Pull out the plug
First at the vehicle, then at the charging station (the latter only if the cable does not belong to the charging point)
Step 8: Leave the charging station
Although many charging stations are now equipped with charging cables and various charging connections, it is definitely an advantage to carry your own cable. This not only gives you flexibility when charging in public, but also allows you to charge your car quickly at a friend's wallbox or a conventional household socket in an emergency.
Tip:
If you use your own cable for charging, it is recommended that you always connect the charging cable to the charging station first and then to the electric car. Once the charging process is complete, the charging cable must be removed in reverse order - i.e. first from the car and then from the charging station.
In Germany, charging takes place using either alternating current or direct current. While fast charging stations provide direct current (DC), conventional charging stations use alternating current (AC).
Advantages anddisadvantages of normal and fast charging stations
Basically, both types of charging stations have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the location, duration of use and costs.
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Normal charging station
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| Fast charging station |
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In public charging, a distinction is made between
| AC = Alternating Current Alternating current |
DC = Direct Current
Direct current |
HPC = High Power Charging
Direct current |
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AC charging stations usually allow a charging capacity of up to 22 kW.
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DC charging stations work with 50 to 100 kW. |
HPC charging stations allow outputs of 100 to 350 kW.
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| → Slow charging |
→ fast charging
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→ ultra-fast charging |
Which cable is suitable for charging at public charging points depends on the type of charging. As already mentioned, the fast charging points are "direct current chargers". These are already equipped with an appropriate charging cable. For slow charging stations or a wallbox, you must bring your charging cable with you, as existing cables are the exception rather than the rule.
Depending on which charging connection your electric car has, you will need an appropriate cable. In Europe, type 1 and type 2 connections are standard. There are two cable variants for charging:
The most common plugs for public charging stations are
Type 2 plug / Mennekes plug
Combo plug (Combined Charging System CCS)
Tesla Supercharger
You can find more information about these and other charging plugs on the market here.
Tip:
Would you like to charge your electric car conveniently at home? It is possible to have the installation of your own wallbox subsidized with the help of the GHG quota. All you have to do is make it accessible to others as a semi-public charging station and register it as such with the relevant authorities.
The Federal Network Agency provides a special service: With its interactive charging point map , you can find out about the current charging points in your area online at any time.
However, as only those charging points are listed here that have been reported to the Federal Network Agency and have agreed to be published on the Internet, it is worth taking an additional look at Google search or other online portals.
Both in Germany and in the rest of Europe, most charging stations work with an app or a charging card. The problem is that there are currently more than 380 different charging cards in Germany alone.
Depending on which charging tariff you use with which provider, the charging current is billed either after each charge, monthly or quarterly.
The good news: since July 1, 2023, all newly installed charging stations must allow payment with at least one credit or debit card, which makes public charging much easier.
The payment options: While you need a charging card at one charging station, the next one charges via app.
The costs:
Registration: To be able to use the app or charging card at all, you must register with the respective provider in advance.
In addition to charging via app or conventional charging card, there are other options:
Although the latter is very practical, there are unfortunately very few vehicles that can be charged using PLC technology.
Did you already know?
Since April 1, 2019, there have been clear billing guidelines to ensure that charging electricity is billed in accordance with calibration law. Unfortunately, there are still a large number of fast-charging stations that do not comply with calibration law. However, this is tolerated by politicians in many places due to the less than optimal charging infrastructure in some regions of Germany, which is why fines are not imposed.
The variety of tariffs for public charging is sometimes more of a curse than a blessing. This is partly due to the different flat rates, fees or preferential tariffs and partly due to the often delayed billing.
If you travel a lot with your electric car, you either need several charging cards from different providers or use one of the roaming providers - which is more convenient, but can also be expensive.
The fees for public charging of an electric car can vary just as much as the payment systems and providers of charging stations. The significant price differences are one of the biggest challenges for German e-mobilists.
In fact, a 2021 study by analysis firm EuPD Research found that the wrong choice of tariff can quickly cost several thousand euros a year, depending on the mileage.
Data from over 200 providers in Germany was collected for this study. This showed that there can be a price premium of 121 to 330 percent between the average cost of charging electricity and the most expensive tariff.
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One example: For a VW e-Golf, the difference between the average and the most expensive charging tariff was €0.90 / kWh. This means a cost difference of €1,781.00 per year. It is therefore worth comparing carefully before deciding on a provider. Tip: In addition to the chargeable charging stations, there are sometimes also free public charging stations, for example in the parking lots of large discount stores. |
There are basically two types of providers:
Which charging station operator or tariff for public charging is best for you depends primarily on your own charging behavior.
1. the occasional charger
Many e-mobilists charge their electric car at home or at work and therefore only use public charging stations when they go on an excursion or a trip. If you are one of them, regional providers are of little interest to you. In this case, e-roaming is probably the better option.
2. the frequent charger
If you frequently travel long distances by electric car - for example as a sales representative - then it is also advisable to use the charging cards of Germany-wide providers (e-roaming). Here, so-called multi-charger tariffs pay off, where a monthly basic fee is usually due, but the costs per charge are much lower.
3. the regional charger
If you do not have the opportunity to charge your e-car at home or at work and are therefore dependent on the charging stations in your area, you can use the regional offers such as the charging stations of the municipal utilities. As they have already invested in the regional charging infrastructure in many cases, their own customers are usually given preferential treatment at the charging stations thanks to attractive conditions.
Basically, there are suitable offers for every charging type. It just takes a little time to get to grips with the tariffs.
Our direct neighbors such as the Netherlands and France are important pioneers in the area of charging infrastructure. In Switzerland, there are already more charging points than petrol stations.
However, our neighbors to the south still have some way to go. This applies to parts of Italy as well as Spain and Portugal. Before traveling to these countries with an electric car, we recommend that you find out exactly what charging options are available along your route to avoid any nasty surprises.