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Charging an EV
Charging an EV
TAKE CHARGE OF CHARGING
First time charging an electric vehicle? It might seem a little daunting at first — but like most things, it’s simple once you know how. Our Ultimate Charging Guide takes you through each step clearly and confidently, so you can get plugged in and on your way with ease.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
You’ll need:
- A Europcar Electric Vehicle
- Your Type 2 cable (found in the boot of the car)
- Access to a public charger
- A contactless card or a charging app (like Zapmap, Electroverse, BP Pulse, Shell Recharge, Ionity etc).
Top Tip:
Plan your charge stops using apps like Zapmap.
Their unique filtering enables you to find the nearest chargers with live availability, compatibility, charging speeds and costs.
STEP #1 – LOCATE & OPEN THE CHARGE PORT
TO OPEN THE PORT:
- Ensure the vehicle is unlocked.
- Press the flap on the charging port and release — it will pop open.
- Inside you’ll see one or two rubber or plastic covers protecting the sockets. These may pull straight out, or have small release levers on either side.
- Remove the covers to reveal the combined charging port.
The top half is a Type 2 connector – used for fast AC charging.
KNOW YOUR SOCKET:
It’s important you know what you’re looking at! Under the covers you’ll find the combined charging port.
The lower section, combined with the upper, forms the CCS connector for rapid DC charging.
STEP #2 – CHOOSE THE RIGHT CHARGER & CABLE
Charger types:
EV chargers come in two main types — fast and rapid — and the one you choose depends on how quickly you want to charge and what’s available nearby.
Top Tip:
If you’re in a hurry, head to a rapid charger and use the CCS cable. If you’re parked for a while, a fast charger with your Type 2 cable does the job perfectly.
| Charger Type | Connector | Cable Type | Common Locations | Best Used For… |
| Fast Chargers (AC) | Type 2 | Likely to be untethered – use your Type 2 cable (in the boot) | Hotels, supermarkets, car parks | Top-ups over longer stops (1-6 hours depending on charger speed) |
| Rapid / Ultra-Rapid (CD) | CCS | Untethered – the cable is attached to the charger | Motorway services, forecourts, retail parks | Quick top-ups, typically adding 80% charge in 30-40 minutes |
STEP #3 – PLUG IN & START CHARGING
Once you’ve chosen the right charger and cable:
- Plug in the connector firmly until it clicks
- Use the Type 2 cable (your own or tethered) for fast AC charging
- Use the tethered CCS cable for rapid DC charging
If the charger has more than one cable, make sure you select the one compatible with your vehicle — this will almost always be the CCS connector for rapid charging.
Authorise charging:
- Follow the on-screen instructions on the charger
- Tap your contactless card, or start the session via a charging app (e.g. Shell Recharge, BP Pulse, Ionity, Electroverse)
- You may need to select the connector type and press ‘Start’
The Charge Point Operator (CPO) will likely hold a pre-authorisation fee (£30–£40) on the payment card you have used. This may appear on your statement, and will adjust automatically once charging ends.
STEP #4 – CHARGE!
- Charging progress is shown on the charger’s display, your vehicle dashboard, or in the charging app (if you’ve used one).
- On some Europcar EVs, LED lights around the charge port indicate battery level in 25% increments.
- Charge for however long you need, but be aware of charge speeds and costs per kW.
If you leave your vehicle whilst charging, remember to lock it
Also be aware that some CPO’s (Charge Point Operators) may charge an idle fee if a vehicle remains connected after the charging session is complete and the vehicle has reached its desired state of charge. This can kick in 15-30 minutes after the charging session has ended.
STEP #5 – FINISH & UNPLUG
When you’re ready to go:
- Unlock the vehicle using the key fob — this usually releases the cable lock. Some vehicles may require you to press a release button on the charge port before removing.
- Unplug and return the cable:
- If tethered, place it back in the charger holster.
- If using your own Type 2 cable, stow it in the boot.
To stop charging at any time, either:
- Unlock the vehicle and unplug, or
- Press ‘Stop’ on the charger screen, if shown.
- There’s no need to charge to 100% unless you’re planning a longer journey — most day-to-day driving requires far less.
CHARGE TYPES EXPLAINED
Remove the fear factor with our quick guide to socket and charging types.
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Stay charged wherever you go
Europcar recommends Zapmap to search for EV charge points and plan your EV journeys
With the widest choice of charging options in the UK, Zapmap gives you access to an inspiring community of EV drivers – and provides peace of mind when out and about in your EV.
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