How to charge an EV

When it comes to charging your electric vehicle, there’s a lot to learn. To help make your switch to battery-powered mobility easier, we explain everything you need to know about the basics of EV charging.

Whether it is at home or on the road, Ayvens provides an extensive guide for all your electric charging needs.

Electric cars in a nutshell

There are often many questions about how and where to charge your car, whether it's at home, at work, or on the road. We at Ayvens have gathered some tips and tricks to make it easier for you to know how to charge your electric car.

How to charge at home, at work, or with a fast charger

When using a home charger or public fast charger, it's easy to charge your car. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.

Home charging

If you charge your electric car at home, you can easily wake up to a fully charged vehicle. There are several questions regarding home charging and the possibilities for installing fixed home chargers. Below you'll find useful information if you're considering this.

Charging on the go

Do you need to charge while on the go? Public charging networks are growing every year in Norway. You don't need to worry about running out of power when there's always a public charger/fast charger nearby. We provide you with information on everything you need to know about charging on the road.

Charging speeds: How fast can I charge?

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

50 kWh EV battery7h45m
75 kWh EV battery10h

11 kW power output

50 kWh EV battery5h15m
75 kWh EV battery6h45m

50 kW power output

50 kWh EV battery53 min
75 kWh EV battery1h20m

150 kW power output

50 kWh EV battery18 min
75 kWh EV battery27 min

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

Fast charging

Do you need to charge quickly? No problem. Just find a gas station with a fast charger, and you can charge your car up to 80% in 15-40 minutes. Most public fast chargers are rated at 150 kW - much faster than a home charger at 7.4 kW - and newer ones are emerging with up to 350 kW.

The cost of fast charging varies widely depending on where you charge. Some public chargers will charge you per minute or have a fixed price per session. It's a good idea to check the pricing plan in the charging app you use (country-specific).

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:/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=web%3a%7bD55D60FA-42CE-477C-AD9C-71053679DA41%7d%40en). 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:/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=web%3a%7bD94424BD-4355-4497-9614-1750CCC16F7E%7d%40en) 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.