Top Up Charging

Charging your electric vehicle wherever you park it while out and about, topping up your charge as you go to prevent range anxiety.

Home Charging

Plugging your electric car in to charge while it is parked at home, typically overnight. A dedicated home charging point is the best and safest way of doing this.

Range Anxiety

The term given to a fear of running out of charge while driving a plug-in EV. This worry can be avoided by top-up charging wherever you park throughout the day.

Range per hour (RPH)

Miles of range per hour of charge.

En-route Charging

Many motorway service stations now feature rapid charging points installed and run by Ecotricity, which allow you to charge your EV up to 80% capacity in as little as 30 minutes. You can register on the Ecotricity website for a free swipe card enabling you to easily take long-distance trips in your electric car.

Single-phase Power

Typically found in most UK homes and businesses, this is what all standard 3 pin plug sockets provide. Single-phase electricity can power up to 7kW POD Point chargers for up to 30 miles of range per hour of charge (RPH).

ICEd

When a chargepoint is occupied by a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) , preventing an EV charging. A polite note left on their windscreen with your phone number is generally the best response.

RFID Cards

Utilising the same technology used in public transport travel cards and contactless debit cards, these cards are used by many older chargepoints to allow access to EV charging.

Three-phase Power

Often found on commercial and industrial sites, this provides three alternating currents of the same voltage and is required for fast and rapid chargers.

Trickle Charging

The slowest type of charging, this is best reserved for long overnight charges at home and is typically provided by a standard 3 pin plug, however it does lack the safety features of a dedicated charging point.

Slow Charging

A more effective option for home charging, this allows for both top up and overnight charging through a dedicated chargingpoint. The 3.7kW POD Point Solo is a good example of this type of charging point and provides a faster charge than that from a 3 pin socket.

Fast Charging

Ideal for top up charging, this can provide up to 30 miles of range per hour of charging, or a full charge in a few hours. Fast chargers are excellent for keeping you going while out and about, and are often found in public car parks via the Open Charge app.

Rapid Charging

Generally, only found in motorway service stations, rapid chargers typically allow for around 80% charge in as little as 20 minutes. This is useful for longer road trips and journeys beyond your local area.