How does a charging station work?

A charging station works like an electrical outlet for your electric car. This pole is connected to the electricity grid. When you connect your car to the charging station with a special cable, the station transfers electricity to your battery. Thus, your car charges and you are ready to drive away again. The charging cable is not attached to the charging station, so you have to bring it yourself. Make sure you have a standard charging cable in your trunk.

How to charge your car in 5 easy steps

Step 1: Find a working charging station

Always make sure you choose a charging station that works. Most charging stations work with lights to indicate whether the station is available and trouble-free. An Orange Charging charging station is available when you see a green LED lit. Do you see a red light on? Then there is a fault with the charging station or the network. In that case, look for another charging station.

Step 2: Connect your car to the charge point

Put your charging cable on one end in your car and on the other end in the charging station.

Step 3: Start the charging transaction

You do this by holding your charging card, -drop or -app in front of the scanner on the charge station. On our charging stations, you will often find this scanner on the front or side of the charger. Has the charging transaction started? On an Orange Charging charging station, a blue light will turn on. Your charging cable is now attached to the pole (and your car) until you stop the charging session. In addition, on most poles you will hear a beep to indicate that you are charging successfully.

Something goes wrong? If so, most charging stations will display a red light. In many cases, this is a malfunction. The charging station tells you how to report this malfunction.

Step 4: Stop the charging transaction

You do this again by holding your charging card, drop or app in front of the scanner. On an Orange Charging charging station, you will then hear a beep and the light on the charging station will change from blue to green. In addition, your charging cable is now free to disconnect.

Step 5: Disconnect your car from the charging station

Remove the charging cable from the pole and from your car and stow it back in your trunk. Now you're ready to hit the road again!

How can you pay at a charging station?

So, your car is charged and ready to go. But how do you pay for the charged electricity? There are several ways to pay at a charging station.

1. Paying with a charge card or drop

This is the most common way. You scan it before you start charging and when you stop charging. This way you pay for the number of kWh you charged. Then your company receives a monthly invoice.

2. Pay with a charging app

Some providers have a charging card in the form of an app. In this app, you enter the details of the charging station and then click on 'start charging session'. When your car is full, you stop the charging session again via the app. Your company will receive a monthly invoice and the amount will be debited automatically.

3. Pay via a QR code

Some providers have a charging card in the form of an app. In this app, you enter the details of the charging station and then click 'start charging session'. When your car is full, you stop the charging session again via the app. Your company will receive a monthly invoice and the amount will be debited automatically.

How long can you park at a charging station?

Do you charge your car at a charging station on private property? Then there are no rules about how long you can leave your car at the post. However, it is so neat to move your car when it is charged. This way other EV drivers can also charge their car.

On public land, on the other hand, rules do apply. Do you leave your car at the charging station for a longer period of time after it is fully charged? If so, this constitutes "charging pole life. This is prohibited in most municipalities and can result in a fine of up to €95.