The public charging infrastructure has rapidly developed in the Baltics – thousands of charging locations are already available and the network keeps on growing faster than the number of electric cars. Electric cars are increasingly available as well – both for purchase and for short-/long-term rental. Although most owners charge their electric cars at home, there comes a time when charging is also required at a public station. How can this be done correctly and conveniently? Elektrum e-mobility expert Edgars Korsaks-Mills explains.

Where to find charging stations?

Public charging stations are available in both larger and smaller towns, as well as along main roads. In Latvia, there is at least one rapid charging station every 30-50 kilometres allowing You to travel safely even on longer routes.

The most convenient way to find stations is the Elektrum Drive mobile application with a list of both Elektrum and our partners’ charging stations within Baltic countries. In the app, You can easily filter stations by power, plug type or charging method.

When travelling outside the Baltics, it is useful to use the PlugShare platform with charging locations worldwide. Before setting off, it is also advisable to find out which charging networks operate in the specific country and to check whether Your electric car manufacturer offers access to any international network or application.

What is the difference between direct current and alternating current charging stations?

Alternating current (AC) charging – suitable for longer stops, for example, during working hours or while shopping. To charge an electric car for a 100 km journey, it takes from 40 minutes up to 2 hours depending on Your car’s technical capabilities. At these stations Type 2 plug is used – it may be available at the charging station or You may need to use Your own cable.

Direct current (DC) charging – provided for fast charging on the way. For a 100 km journey, it will be sufficient to charge during 5–20 minutes depending on the electric car’s charging capabilities. These stations are always equipped with their own cable and most often use the European standard CCS2 connector. If Your electric car uses a different connector, an appropriate adapter will be required.

What affects charging speed?

Charging speed is influenced by several factors – both the power available at the charging station and also the electric car’s technical capabilities, including the capacity of the built-in charging equipment and the maximum DC power specified by the manufacturer. The battery temperature and battery charge level matter too.

It is important to know your car’s technical parameters. For example, if your electric car supports up to 7.4 kW AC charging, then even at a 22 kW station, the charging power will not exceed 7.4 kW. Similarly, if the manufacturer has specified a maximum DC charging power of 145 kW, then even at a 300 kW station, the car will only use 145 kW. Therefore, please choose a station that matches your car’s technical parameters.

Please remember that charging power is not linear and the maximum power is only available within a certain battery range (for example, from 10% to 75%). When this level is exceeded, charging speed decreases. Each electric car has its own charging range.

How much does charging cost at public stations?

Prices at public stations vary depending on the type of station (AC or DC), the available charging power, location and other factors. The higher the charging power, the higher the price per kWh.

Usually, the fee is charged for the charged kilowatt-hours (kWh), however, you should note that in the national network e-mobi and elsewhere, a fee is also charged for minutes.

Charging is more cost-effective with a postpaid contract, for example, for Elektrum Drive clients, as it not only makes daily car charging easier, but also allows you to benefit from a lower charging price, a single monthly invoice for all charges and enjoy other advantages.

How to pay for charging?

Most often, you can pay for charging in the charging network operator’s app. For example, in Elektrum Drive app, you can add a payment card or conclude a postpaid contract, receiving a single monthly invoice either separately or together with the invoice for other Elektrum services.

At certain charging stations, it is also possible to pay on site at the cashier, and soon most stations will also be equipped with payment terminals, which will allow you to make payment by tapping a payment card. Additionally, at charging stations throughout the European Union, there is an ad-hoc payment option, which allows charging without registration or a contract. This solution is suitable when you are travelling or using charging stations outside your usual route.

Useful tips for charging at public stations

• Power distribution: if several cars are being charged simultaneously, the station distributes the available power between them (for example, at a 300 kW station for two cars – approximately 150 kW each).
• Use of plugs: at most stations, it is possible to use all plugs simultaneously, but at older stations and in e-mobi network, only one plug can be used at a time.
• Technical issues: if charging does not work or you notice any other issues, please contact the support service using contact information provided on the station or in the app.
• Indicate the charging duration: in the app, you can indicate how long you plan to use the station so that other users can schedule their charging.
• Vacate the station after charging: once charging is complete, please disconnect your car immediately and leave the parking space making charging station available for other users.
• Park your car only for charging: the electric car parking space is intended for charging only. If the car is not connected to the charging station, it prevents other users from charging.

Start charging in 5 steps with Elektrum Drive

1. Download Elektrum Drive app and register by adding a payment card or concluding a post-payment agreement.
2. Find the nearest charging station in the app and approach so that the cable can be easily connected to your car.
3. Open the app and scan the QR code indicated on the station.
4. Connect the plug to the car – a connection check will be performed and charging will start automatically; you will be able to monitor the process in the app.
5. When charging is complete, stop it in the app, disconnect the plug and place it in the station holder.