How to charge your EV when you’re away from home

There are a few things you need to get your head around when you buy an EV: you have to decide on the best EV charger to install at home, as well as how to get your home EV ready. Then – when it’s time to hit the open road – you need to work out how to charge your car while you’re on the go. This guide has everything you need to know from how to find electric vehicle chargers to which EV charging cable you will need to take with you.

How to find an electric vehicle charger

There are public chargers located right around Australia, and more infrastructure coming online all the time. But there are a lot of reasons you’ll want to plan out your stops, including the obvious – you don’t want to run out of power on the road.

Public EV charging stations vary in power and some may take longer than others to charge. If this is the case, you need to factor extra time into your trip. You may also want to stop at places that have toilets, food outlets or parks nearby.

Planning also means you’ll be able to set up any necessary accounts or download apps that you might need for payment well in advance. Most importantly, though, you need to make sure you’re carrying a compatible EV charge cable for the station you plan to use. 

Which EV charging cable will I need?

A good rule of thumb for EV drivers: always carry your own charging cable. While some public chargers have inbuilt cables, others don’t. Pack your own and you’ll be guaranteed you’ll have the right cable for your EV, in terms of power carrying capabilities and adaption plug points.

When it comes to charging cables there are a few options – Level 1 is plugging a portable EV charging cable into a standard power point. This will be suitable if you’re visiting friends and family and can park in their garage – it takes a lot longer, so you will need more time. These cables go into a three-pin socket. (An important sidenote here: you can’t use standard extension cords to charge an EV. You need a specific ‘electric vehicle charging cable’.)

Level 2 public chargers are faster hardwired chargers – this is the model you’ll find at a lot of public stations and possibly similar to what you have at home with a wall-mounted unit. To use these, you’ll need a Type 2 EV charging cable, with seven pins.

Level 3 chargers – like the Tesla Supercharger that has a charging cable attached – is the fastest charging option. Generally, the faster the charge, the more expensive the cost.

Before buying a charging cable, check the manufacturer's instructions of compatible power sources for your EV and then check out our range of EV charging cables. You’ll find a wide range of brands, from Arlec, Deta, DeWalt and Tesla, and a price point to suit all budgets.

How to use a public EV charging station

Public charging stations all work a little differently depending on which network is providing them – some use apps, some you need an account, some can be used with a standard debit or credit card. If you’ve planned your trip before you arrive, you won’t be caught out.

Once you’ve worked out payment, simply attach your cable to the charging station (if there isn’t already a cable attached). Connect the other end to your car, then follow the prompts on the screen to start charging.

What else will I need?

As long as you’re carrying your EV charging cable, you can hit the road. There are a few accessories that can make everything just that little bit easier though. A waterproof protector sits over the plug, protecting it from rain, and a carry bag or cable case will keep all cables neatly stowed in the car. An Anti-Theft Tyre Lock gives you added confidence that your charging cable can’t be stolen if you step away for a moment, too.

Need a cable?

Check out our full range of EV charging cables today.