There are different types of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, depending on who manufactures them and whether they are for private or public use. They come in a variety of forms, and can be wall-mounted, pole-mounted, built as columns, or portable. They can also feature different authorization options. Currently, the most common method is a card with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology that allows users to unlock the socket of the charging station and start charging the car.
Depending on the relevant sector of application, the charging stations need to meet different requirements. They can generally be divided into two main categories:
- Private charging stations
- Public charging stations
In the private sector, these can be for single or multi-family homes, shopping malls, shops, restaurants, hotels, car dealerships with repair shops, banks and insurance companies, and company parking lots. Depending on the circumstances, these may or may not be open to the public.
Public charging stations are installed on public roads or in public parking lots at airports, railway stations or other public areas.
There are different types of EV charging stations on the market. Typically, those for private use can charge at a power between 3.7 and 22 kW. Public charging stations charge in alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) and at a power varying on average from 3.7 to 50 kW.
