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If you’re thinking about buying your first electric vehicle (EV) or have recently made the leap to one, mastering the basics of EV charging is essential. Our Basic Guide is designed to equip you with all the necessary knowledge to charge your vehicle confidently. Dive into the essentials with us and ensure that every charge is as efficient and effective as possible.
How Does The System Operate?
Allego charging network is designed with user convenience and safety as a priority. Upon reaching a charging station, you’ll select a charger. Connect the charger’s plug to your vehicle’s charging port, and once your payment method is confirmed, power will be delivered from the charger to your vehicle. It’s as simple and efficient as that.
It may take a few moments for your vehicle to begin charging, and you’ll see session details on the charger’s display or in our Smoov app.
Choosing The Right Connector
Allego’s chargers offer three types of connectors or plugs: Type 2, Combined Charging System (CCS) and CHAdeMO.
Type 2 connectors are used in our regular chargers with speeds of under 50 kW
Combined Charging System (CCS) are the most widely available type of plug and used at our fast and ultra-fast locations as this connector can support high speeds
CHAdeMO can be found at some of our fast locations. Only certain types of vehicles utilize this charging connector.
Please refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual or manufacturer to understand its charging capabilities.
What Happens When You Plug In?
When you connect your electric vehicle (EV) to a charger, the EV will request a specific amount of power (kW). The charger then supplies this power directly to the vehicle’s battery.
Factors like temperature, battery health, and current battery level can influence the amount of power requested.
In some vehicles, it might take a few minutes for charging to commence after plugging in. The charger’s display will provide sessions information.
Charging Process Explained
At the start of your charging session, your EV will typically send an initial State of Charge (SoC) to the charger, indicating how full the battery is. This information is displayed on the charger’s screen or in the Allego Smoov app and is updated as the vehicle charges.
As your session progresses, you might observe a reduction in charging speed, especially as the battery nears 80% capacity. Most vehicles charge rapidly at first (“bulk charging”) and then slow down as they approach full capacity. Therefore, it’s advisable to unplug your vehicle once bulk charging is completed.
Battery Charging Dynamics
The charging process involves several phases:
- Initial Ramp-Up: Initially, the charger gradually increases the charging speed.
- Maximum Speed Stabilization: The charger then maintains the maximum speed as the battery charges up to around 80% capacity
- Ramp-Down: As the battery approaches 80% capacity, the charging speed decreases to prevent overcharging and protect battery health.
This approach ensures efficient and safe charging for your electric vehicle.