Charging your car at a public charger

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Public chargers have several different connector types, so to find the right charger many people use the system built into the car (in the Satellite Navigation System)  to locate, or navigate to a suitable charger.

These systems show important information to help your decision:

1. They show you only the chargers that your car can connect with (they assume you carry  a connection cable).
2. They may show the charger is broken or occupied. This is useful guidance but  a 'free' charger could become occupied while you drive to it, or an occupied charger could become free, so its only a guide.
3. They show the power output of the charger  so that you can estimate how quickly your car will be charged. Higher Power = faster charge. A 7 kW charger is slow, 22kW + is fast.

With an App such as Zapmap downloaded to your mobile phone (The free version) you can enter your car registration or details so that the App only shows you chargers you can use.

Similar information is available as in systems built into cars, and App can help  you to navigate to your charger.

These Apps may be more up to date than Sat Nav systems in older cars, which may not get regularly updated or receive live information about chargers that are out of action, or in use.

If you use the timer function in your car to charge at home on lower cost electricity at night you need to turn off that feature through the car dash display to allow the charge to start immediately. 

 .  Once parked at charger, read the  instructions written on it. Newer and higher power chargers can normally be paid for using a 'contactless' debit or credit card. It may be necessary with older chargers to download a mobile phone App.  In Joe's experience, it is worth phoning the help number on the charger if you have any difficultly. They can talk you through the process and control the charger remotely.
Faster chargers are equipped with a cable to plug into your vehicle, or if there is only a 'socket' on the charger, you will need to use your own charging cable. 

Open the charging port on your car, There may be a release button for this on the car dashboard.  Connect the cable as directed by the charger instructions.  When the charging process starts the charger will show a green light or other indication and your car dash will show that the car is charging, telling you how long it will take to reach 100% charge on this charger.  You can then lock and leave your car if you want to.

This Nissan Leaf dash shows good information when car is charging, Other cars have displays that are less helpful and distinctive when charging is underway; you may need to consult the car handbook if your car display does not convince you that car is really charging. Of course if you watch display for a few minutes you should see the % charge and the available range increasing. 

When you have enough charge press the button on your dash that opens the charging port to stop the charge and allow you to disconnect. Repack your cable if you used it.

Be aware that charging becomes very slow as you approach 100% charge, it usually makes sense to stop before 95%!