CALL US

+359 897 872 737

CONTACT US

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you'll find answers to the most common questions related to electric mobility, charging infrastructure, and the use of electric vehicles.

Useful Information

What are the main types of charging plugs in Europe?

In Europe, the most common plug is Type 2It's the EU standard and supports both single-phase and three-phase AC charging, reaching up to 43kW. Less common are:

  • Type 1: Mainly for cars from America and Asia, single-phase, up to 7.4kW.
  • Type 3: Mainly used in France, it has protective shutters.

For fast DC charging, the main types used are: CCS (Combined Charging System), which is an extended version of Type 2, and CHAdeMO, popular with Japanese cars (typically up to 50kW).

The modes describe the method of connection and communication between the car and the charging point, rather than the plug itself:

  • Mode 1: The simplest way – charging from a standard household socket with no communication. Power output is low.
  • Mode 2: A special cable is used, often supplied with the car. The cable has a built-in control box (ICCB), which communicates with the vehicle and provides protection. It can be plugged into a standard or industrial socket. With some cables (like NRGkick), it's possible to reach up to 22kW. Suitable for portable or emergency charging.
  • Mode 3: The standard way for AC charging from a dedicated charging station (wallbox or public station) with a Type 2 connector. There's constant communication between the station and the car for control and safety.
  • Mode 4: This is fast DC charging. The charger is external (the charging station itself), not inside the car. Power outputs vary significantly – from 5-20kW for portable DC chargers to 50kW, 150kW, and even over 350kW for stationary fast-charging stations.

If your car has a different inlet (for example, Type 1) than the connector on the station or cable (for example, Type 2), you'll need an adapter. Adapters allow connection between different standards (e.g., from a Type 2 cable to a car with a Type 1 inlet) and can be used at both private and public stations.

The charging speed depends on two things: the maximum power the station can deliver and the maximum power your EV's onboard charger can accept. The lower of these two figures will always be the limiting factor.

For example, if your car can charge at a maximum of 7.4kW AC, even if you plug it into a 22kW AC station, it will still charge at 7.4kW. That's why it's important to match the station's power with your vehicle's capabilities and your charging speed needs.

We can conditionally divide them into three levels:

  • Level 1 (Slow): Typically 2.3kW – 3.7kW (from a standard outlet). Suitable for overnight charging or emergencies.
  • Level 2 (Fast AC): Between 7kW and 22kW (single-phase or three-phase). These are the most common stations for home or workplace use. Charging time heavily depends on the power of both the station and the car.
  • Level 3 (Ultra-fast DC): The fastest way, primarily DC charging with power outputs from 50kW to over 400kW. Primarily found at public charging stations along major road arteries.

Modern charging stations offer a range of useful features:

  • Connectivity: An Ethernet port or GSM modem (3G/4G) allows connection to management systems (back-office), enabling remote diagnostics, user management, and billing.
  • Load Management: Important when installing multiple stations. It allows for the distribution of available power among charging vehicles to avoid overloading the electrical grid.
  • Access control: Access to the station can be restricted through key locking or authorization with an RFID card/mobile application.

Some accessories make usage and maintenance easier:

  • Shutter: Protects against accidental contact with electrical parts and from water splashes (although not mandatory with Type 2 due to built-in protections).
  • Cable Holder: A convenient accessory (sometimes built-in, sometimes separate) that allows the cable to be stored neatly and off the ground.

Standardized charging systems (like Type 2) have high safety requirements. Charging will only begin if several conditions are met: the plugs are fully inserted and locked on both sides (car and station), and there is a correct connection to the protective earth conductor. If any of these conditions are not met, the process will not start.

The process may vary slightly, but typically involves:

  1. Identification/Authorization at the station (via RFID card, mobile app, and sometimes direct payment).
  2. Connecting the cable first to the station (if it doesn't have a built-in cable), then to the car.
  3. Initiating the charge (usually automatically after authorization and cable locking, or via a command from an app/station).
  4. Monitoring the process (via the car's dashboard or a mobile app).
  5. Ending the charging session (via app, card, or from the car), unlocking and removing the cable (first from the car).
Лого SMID Енергийни решения

Intelligent solutions for a sustainable future

Quick links

Products

CONTACT US

© 2025 SMID Energy Solutions. All rights reserved.

T & C | Cookies | Privacy