Connector: the end of the flexible cable that interfaces with the vehicle inlet.Cable: a flexible bundle of conductors that connects the EVSE with the electric vehicle.In North America, the socket outlet and plug are not used because the cable is permanently attached. Plug: the end of the flexible cable that interfaces with the socket outlet on the EVSE.Socket outlet: the port on the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) that supplies charging power to the vehicle.In 2011, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) defined the following terms: Private charging stations are typically found at residences, workplaces, and hotels. Public charging stations are typically found street-side or at retail shopping centers, government facilities, and other parking areas. DC charging stations are commonly equipped with multiple connectors to be able to charge a wide variety of vehicles that utilize competing standards. Most fully electric car models can accept both AC and DC power.Ĭharging stations provide connectors that conform to a variety of international standards. DC fast chargers facilitate higher power charging, which requires much larger AC-to-DC rectifiers, so the converter is built as part of the charging station and DC power is supplied directly to the vehicle, bypassing the onboard converter. At an AC charging station, power is supplied to the onboard charger. For this reason, most electric vehicles have an onboard charger with an AC-to-DC converter (a rectifier). Batteries can only be charged with direct current (DC) electric power, while most electricity is delivered from the power grid as alternating current (AC). There are two main types: AC charging stations and DC fast chargers. Bottom-right: converted Toyota Priuses recharging at public charging stations in San Francisco (2009).Ī charging station, also known as a charge point or electric vehicle supply equipment ( EVSE), is a piece of equipment that supplies electrical power for charging plug-in electric vehicles (including electric cars, electric trucks, electric buses, neighborhood electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrids).Bottom-left: Nissan Leaf recharging from a NRG Energy eVgo station in Houston, Texas.Top-right: Brammo Empulse electric motorcycle at an AeroVironment charging station.Top-left: a Tesla Roadster (2008) being charged at an electric charging station in Iwata city, Japan.