MAKING SENSE OF CHARGERS

Not sure which EV charger does what? You’re not alone. It can feel a bit confusing at first, but once you know what type of charger your vehicle needs, the whole process becomes second nature; just like filling up at a petrol station.

And when you go electric with Europcar, we’ll make sure you know exactly where to charge, what to use, and how to get going with confidence.

In short, here are the two main things you need to know.

#1 - The vehicle socket

As the name suggests, this is the socket that's usually tucked neatly behind a flap on the side or front of the vehicle. The type of socket can depend on the make and model, but most newer EVs have the same connectivity: Type 2 (fast) or Tesla Type 2 (unique to Tesla), and Combined Charging System (ultra-rapid).

#2 - The charging point

Most public chargers have a cable built in; either a Type 2 or CCS connector that plugs straight into your vehicle. However, some locations, like supermarkets, may not provide a cable. In these cases, you can use the Type 2 charging lead included with your Europcar vehicle, found inside the boot.

Once you know which chargers your vehicle can use, charging becomes simple. Just plug into a compatible charge point and you’re all set.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the different types of chargers you’ll find on the road.

Type 2

The Type 2 vehicle socket is the most common you’ll find, featuring a 7-pin design that supports both single and three-phase power. This allows charging speeds between 7kW and 22kW, making it ideal for topping up at home, work, or destination chargers. It also has a built-in locking mechanism to keep the cable securely connected and prevent accidental unplugging.

Tesla’s have their own unique Type 2 socket that allows them to connect to the Tesla Supercharger network delivering up to 172 miles of range in just 15 minutes.

Combined Charging System (CSS)

Effectively two integrated charging systems in one, this socket combines a fast DC charger alongside the Type 2 socket. With charging speeds of up to 350kW (depending on the model and battery size), it’s hardly a surprise that almost every new EV is compatible with the CSS.

CHARGING SPEED AT A GLANCE

Charger type	General speeds	Average time to reach 80% charge	Approx. range per hour charging^*	Cable type	Most common charge locations
Type 2 (Fast AC)	7kW 22kW	4-6 hours (7kW) 1-2 hours (22kW)	12.5 miles 25 miles	Untethered	Home, workplaces, supermarkets, busy public areas
Combined Charging System (Ultra-rapid DC)	50kW 150kW 350kW	20-30 minutes	75 miles 225 miles 525 miles	Tethered to charge point	Motorways, main routes
Tesla Type 2 (Supercharger)	150kW	20-30 minutes	225 miles	Tethered to charge point	Supermarkets, busy public areas

The table above gives you a quick overview of the most common charger types and speeds you’ll come across. For a deeper dive, check out our friends at Zapmap — they’ve got all the details on locations, charger types, and more.

Keep in mind, each vehicle supports different charge speeds and capabilities. To help you find the right fit, we’ve listed detailed charging specs for every EV available to hire through Europcar on our EV Showroom. This way, you can choose the perfect car for your journey with confidence.

In the “Where to Charge” article, we take a closer look at some of the most popular charging networks you might spot out on the road – plus a heads-up on how payments works, so there are no surprises when you plug in.

^*Based on 60 kWh full battery electric vehicle with a range of 200 miles.

Charging an EV Where to Charge