Charging an Electric Vehicle: What You Need to Know About Charging Modes

China [CN]

If you've just purchased an electric vehicle, you might be a little confused about charging and choosing the right connector type and charging cable specifications. Don't panic! We've got a detailed 3-minute read on electric vehicle cables.

Charging cable manufacturers offer a quick guide to the basics so you don't feel lost when it comes to charging your electric vehicle.

Charging Modes

First, before discussing the various types of connectors, you need to understand the modes available for charging an EV. The following four charging modes define how communication is managed between the charging infrastructure and the vehicle:

Mode 1

This involves charging from a traditional, non-dedicated household outlet via the power cable typically provided with the vehicle. There's no communication between the infrastructure and your car. This means there's no real control over the charging process, so this solution isn't recommended as a common method for charging your vehicle.

If you prefer to charge at home, be sure to have your power supply checked by a professional electrician to avoid overheating the circuits.

Mode 2

This mode also involves charging from a traditional household outlet, either dedicated or non-dedicated. Unlike Mode 1, charging is controlled directly by a device integrated into the charging cable. Mode 3

Mode 3 corresponds to charging via a charger directly integrated into a charging station or wallbox. It is recommended for everyday charging.

Charging stations can be located in public areas (streets, parking lots, etc.) or private areas (homes, workplaces, etc.) and have dedicated circuits, making this mode safer than charging from a household outlet. It typically uses alternating current (AC) to provide normal to fast charging (between 3.7 kW and 22 kW).

Mode 4

This mode corresponds to charging primarily on fast-charging infrastructure found on highways and in some parking lots and public areas. These offer a rated power of at least 50 kW using DC, meaning a significant range can be gained quickly (typically between 20 and 30 minutes). Charging times may vary depending on the vehicle's technical characteristics.

For details on custom cable standards, please visit: https://www.omgevcable.com