Public charging can be daunting to new EV drivers. Even those who have driven electric vehicles before can feel some trepidation when it comes to using a public charger. With this in mind, we have decided to give a guide to some of the more common public charging providers. In this first blog of the series, we are going to look at the Gridserve charging network.
Where is the Charge Port
This may seem like an obvious point, but knowing where your charge port on your vehicle is will be the first thing to know when charging. This is particularly for those who are either new to driving an electric vehicle or those who are driving a different electric vehicle than you are used to.
Although the charging port will usually be on one side of the vehicle or the other, sometimes the port can be hidden or in a place you don’t expect it. The Renault Zoe, for example, has the charge port hidden behind the badge on the front of the bonnet. Tesla vehicles have their charge ports behind the rear reflectors that are not obvious to the uninitiated.
Charge Port Type
The next thing to know is what type of charging port you have. In the UK you will come across three different types of charging port:
CCS – This is the most common type of charger you will find, particularly at Gridserve charging stations. It is this type that will give you ultra-rapid charging.
Type 2 – Another common type of charging connector is the Type 2 connector. As a rule, any car that takes a CCS connector will also be able to take the Type 2 connector. Although pretty universal, the Type 2 connector is limited to the amount of power it can provide. Usually the highest powered Type 2 you will find is 22kW.
CHAdeMO – This third type of connection is the least common. It is found on some Japanese cars, such as the Nissan Leaf, but that’s about it. Even in Japan they are starting to move across to CCS and Type 2 to make them more compatible with the European market. Another setback is that the power is limited to about 50kW.
When Do You Plug the Car in?
Do you plug your car in first, or do you initiate the charger first? Well, this is another thing that can be challenging for the uninitiated in the world of electric vehicles. The answer, certainly as far as Gridserve charging is concerned, is that you plug your car in before you do anything else. Plugging the vehicle in allows for the charger to communicate with your EV and get the charge started properly and safely.
Tap ‘n’ Get Going With Gridserve Charging
Contactless payment is the norm for nearly all public charge points. A new law was brought in recently making contactless payment compulsory for a whole range of electric vehicle charge points, and this has been a game changer.
Once your car is plugged in and the charge point has started communicating, you will be asked to tap your payment. Cards and ApplePay are both accepted. Once the payment is accepted, the charge will begin.
It is worth noting that a holding fee will be taken at the point of charge. This is a fee that is held by Gridserve until full payment is taken at a later time. The holding fee is usually a nominal amount, such as £1. However, it can reach up to £35. Don’t worry though. This money will be returned to you after the actual charging payment has gone through.
Ending the Gridserve Charging Session
The time required to charge your electric vehicle depends on the size of its battery, the charger’s speed, and the vehicle’s capacity to accept the charge. When you’re ready to end your charging session, press the stop button on the touchscreen. Afterward, disconnect the charging connector from your vehicle and return it to the holster.
There is an emergency stop button. However, please remember, only use the emergency stop button to end the session in case of an actual emergency.
We hope this guide has been helpful to you. Remember that EVision offers support to all of our customers during their hire.
*All information correct as of 4 February 2025
