An EV charging station connects your car to the electricity grid safely and, at public sites, handles access and payment. A Level 2 station supplies AC power that the car’s on-board charger converts for the battery. A DC fast charger contains its own large power converter and supplies DC power directly to the battery, which is why it is much faster and much larger.
A Public Charging Session, Step by Step
- 1. Authorise: tap an app, RFID card or bank card, or plug in for automatic Plug and Charge.
- 2. Connect: the station and car exchange signals to confirm a safe connection and agree on power.
- 3. Charge: the station closes its contactors and delivers power while monitoring for faults.
- 4. Meter: energy and time are measured for billing.
- 5. Stop: you end the session or the car reaches its limit; the station opens contactors and releases the connector.
- 6. Bill: the network charges your account or card.
Level 2 vs DC Fast Stations
| Level 2 | DC fast | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Typically 6–19 kW | 50–350 kW |
| Conversion to DC | In the car | In the station |
| Typical stop | 1–8 hours | 15–45 minutes |
| Where | Workplaces, hotels, retail, car parks | Highways, urban hubs |
Behind the Scenes
Networked stations talk to a central management system, often using the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), for authorisation, pricing, remote diagnostics and firmware updates. See OCPP explained.
Examples of commercial hardware include the dual-gun EVDANCE EV-AC03201T dual-gun AC charging station with OCPP 1.6J and the compact EVDANCE EV-RHDC30K-L compact DC fast charger DC fast charger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do EV charging stations store electricity?
Most draw directly from the grid; some sites add batteries to reduce peak demand.
How do I start a public charging session?
Use the network app, an RFID card, a card reader, or Plug and Charge if supported.
Why are DC fast chargers so big?
They contain high-power converters and cooling equipment.
Related Reading
- How Do Commercial EV Charging Stations Work?
- Do EV Charging Stations Have Cables?
- Level 1 vs Level 2 vs DC Fast Charging
- OCPP Explained
Key Takeaways
- Level 2 stations supply AC; DC fast stations convert power internally.
- Sessions involve authorisation, handshake, charging, metering and billing.
- Networked stations are managed through protocols such as OCPP.