What is EV Charging?

Electric vehicle (EV) charging refers to the process of supplying electricity to an EV to power its battery, enabling the vehicle to run. Think of it as the EV equivalent of filling up your gas tank. Charging can take place both at your residence and at public stations, and the speed of charging depends on the type of charging equipment being used.

While this might seem straightforward, getting a clear understanding of how EV charging works—including the basics, costs, and home charging options—can help you make an informed decision. This post breaks it all down, so you’re in the best position to decide whether it’s time to invest in a home charger or stick with public stations

How Does EV Charging Work?

EV charging, at its core, is about transferring electricity from the grid to your electric vehicle’s battery. Here’s how it works step by step in simple terms:

When you charge an EV, electricity is drawn from the local power grid via a charging station. Once connected to your vehicle, the station transfers power through a cable that matches your EV’s plug type. This electricity travels to the built-in onboard charger in your car and is converted from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current), the form of energy required to power your EV’s battery.

From there, the charge is stored in your EV’s battery pack. Think of the battery pack like a gas tank, except instead of filling up with liquid fuel, it’s loaded with electrical energy. The converter then ensures that the electrical energy stored in the EV’s battery pack is transformed into the form needed for the vehicle to operate efficiently.

The speed of the charging process depends on the station type—some provide a slower “trickle charge” and others can deliver power at astonishing speeds. More on these types in the next section.