How to charge an EV

All you need to know about charging

How to recharge your battery at home, work, or in public

LeasePlan can provide the charging solutions you need for your electric vehicles. At home, on the go and at work. This means you will have a single point of contact for everything to do with electric vehicles.

Home charging

Charging at home conveniently enables you to wake up to a fully charged electric vehicle. But it’s only an option for specific living situations. If home charging is for you, you’ll need to know all about the advantages and costs. You’ll also need to learn about the different types of charging points and how to get, install and manage one of your own.

Public charging

Do you need to charge on the go? Public charging networks are growing each year across Europe and beyond. No need to worry about running out of range when there's always a public charger close by. We've got you covered with everything you need to know about using public chargers. From the speed, the costs, and using charge cards.

Charging speeds: How fast can I charge?

  1. The answer is - it depends.

    Different types of charging points offer different speeds, and your EV will be limited by its ability to receive and convert that electricity. If your car has an 11 kW onboard charger and you plug into a 7.4 kW home charger, you will only be charging at 7.4 kW. The car could take more power, but the charging point is limited. If your EV has a 6.6 kW onboard charger and you plug it into a standard, single-phase home 7.4 kW charging point, you will be limited to charging at 6.6 kW because the EV can’t take more.

7.4 kW power output

    11 kW power output

      50 kW power output

        150 kW power output

          This is for illustrative purposes only and charging times may differ depending on vehicle. Typically at 80% charge battery charging speed will slow.

          Make the most out of electric charging

          When, where, and how long you charge an electric vehicle can make a difference in costs, so here are a few ways you can save money by doing your charging more wisely.

          Charge your EV wisely

          The battery is the beating heart of your electric car, so you had better take good care of it. When drivers fill up their cars with petrol or diesel, they usually think: "The fuller, the better." This is a little different for electric vehicles,

          as lithium batteries will last longer if you keep them charged between 20% and 80%. While a full charge is not ideal, it is not a disaster – as long as you do not leave your EV parked after a full charge for too long. Letting your car battery drain completely is not a great idea, either. If this does happen, it is important to charge your car again as soon as possible.

          Where can I charge my electric vehicle?

          There are different ways of charging an electric vehicle. This will depend on where you are. You can charge your vehicle at work or at home. You can also charge it on the go in Belgium or abroad.
          You can meet 90% of your drivers' charging needs by offering them chargers at home and at work. Most people give their cars a full charge overnight. There are already more than 150,000 public charging stations in Europe and this number is increasing rapidly.

          LeasePlan can help you find the perfect solution for charging your electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid and can provide the charging solutions you need. At home, on the go and at work.

          EV charging FAQs

          What are the different ways to charge an EV? You can charge your electric car at home, at work, or at a public station on the road.How can I charge my EV at home? In a home that has parking space on the premises, you can request and [install your own charging station](targetSelf:/en-be/drive-electric/how-to-charge/ev-home-charging/). When you have parking in a shared building, you may need to discuss installing a charging point with one or more of the following: the building manager, the property owner, your co-owners or other tenants. If your home doesn’t have a parking space, you should easily be able to find a public parking spot nearby.How can I charge an EV on the road? [Public charging points](targetSelf:/en-be/drive-electric/how-to-charge/ev-public-charging/) are a handy way to charge your EV or plug-in hybrid on the go. We’ll help you get started with an app and a charge card, so you can find a charging station quickly wherever you are. Next to this, if your workplace doesn’t have a charging station, we can help you arrange this.What happens if my EV runs out of battery? Having your EV battery reach 0% while you’re out and about is not ideal. If your battery is low, we recommend finding a charging station as soon as possible to charge. However, if your battery has died then there is not much you can do. You will need to call roadside assistance and have your car towed or picked up on a flatbed truck.