New to E-Mobility? How to Charge Your EV—At Home and On the Go
- DaheimLaden
- Jul 4
- 4 min read
Have you recently purchased an electric vehicle (EV) or are you considering one? Welcome to e-mobility! One of the most common questions for beginners is: How does charging an electric vehicle work, and what charging options are available?
No worries—this guide provides a complete overview. Whether you’re charging at home in your garage or on the go while traveling, we’ll explain how to charge your electric vehicle and what terms like “PV surplus charging” mean.
Contents
EV Charging: The Basics
Charging Your Electric Vehicle at Home
Charging Your Electric Vehicle on the Go
EV Charging: The Basics
Depending on your situation, there are different charging options for your EV, which vary mainly in speed, cost, and convenience. Your electric vehicle typically lists two different values for charging speed in kW, distinguished as follows:
AC Charging (Alternating Current, e.g., at home with an EV charger or at public charging stations), limited by your vehicle’s onboard charger, typically 11 kW for most vehicles.
DC Charging (Direct Current, at fast-charging stations—usually on the go), typically ranges between 50 and 350 kW, but can be higher.
The charging time depends on your vehicle’s battery, the charging power, and the connection type. For everyday use, charging at home is the most convenient and often the most cost-effective solution.
Charging Your Electric Vehicle at Home—Simple, Convenient & Cost-Effective
Charging your EV at home is like charging your smartphone—just with a bit more power. Charging via a standard household outlet is possible but slow and not safe for continuous use. A dedicated EV charger with 11 or 22 kW, installed in your garage or on your house wall, is a much better option.
Benefits of Charging at Home
You can charge overnight, hassle-free.
Electricity costs are usually significantly lower than at public stations.
You’re independent from public charging infrastructure.
Ideally, if you have a PV system, you can charge for free (more on this below).
Choosing the Right EV Charger
Modern EV chargers like the DaheimLaden Touch PRO or DaheimLaden Smart PRO make charging your electric vehicle particularly convenient. They offer:
Easy and flexible installation with a docking station, also available as a freestanding unit with a pedestal.
Intuitive operation via a display.
High charging power.
Smart control through an app.
Reliable customer support.
Optional integration with your photovoltaic system (keyword: PV surplus charging).
This makes charging your EV an integrated part of your sustainable household.
Our DaheimLaden EV chargers start at €599. Installation costs are additional.
Find out which EV charger is right for your needs here:
What is PV Surplus Charging?
If you have a photovoltaic (PV) system on your roof, you can use surplus solar energy to charge your EV. This is called PV surplus charging.
Instead of feeding excess electricity into the grid, you “refuel” your vehicle directly with solar energy—free and CO₂-neutral. Smart EV chargers like those mentioned above can do exactly that: they detect when your home has surplus solar power and automatically charge your EV. It doesn’t get more efficient than this! You can choose whether to charge exclusively with surplus power: if the sun isn’t shining, charging pauses until the next sunny moment. Alternatively, you can select surplus + grid power: if your PV system’s output isn’t sufficient, grid electricity supplements it. This ensures reliable charging even when the sun isn’t out—DaheimLaden truly won’t leave you in the rain.
With additional details about your PV system, such as orientation, power, and tilt, you can further optimize the results.
Charging Your Electric Vehicle on the Go—How It Works
Charging on the go is easier than ever today. With the continuous expansion of public charging infrastructure, you can now find a wide range of charging points across Germany and Europe. Whether at shopping centers, hotels, parking lots, or along highways, over 100,000 public charging points ensure worry-free travel on long journeys.
Charging stations are divided into AC charging stations (Alternating Current) for standard charging and DC charging stations (Direct Current) for fast charging. Modern fast-charging stations, such as those from IONITY or EnBW, offer charging powers from 50 to over 300 kW, allowing you to charge your EV to up to 80% in 20 to 30 minutes. Apps like EnBW mobility+, Shell Recharge, or Maingau make it easy to find charging stations, compare tariffs, and even start the charging process. Our Click2Charge EV charger app also gives you access to thousands of partner charging stations, making charging on the go simpler, more transparent, and more flexible.
How Charging on the Go Works
Find a Charging Station
Use an app like EnBW mobility+, Maingau, Plugsurfing, or Shell Recharge to locate available charging stations nearby, including information on price, charging power, and connector type.
Navigate to the Charging Station
Let the app guide you to the selected charging station. Many apps also indicate whether the charging point is currently available. If you’re heading to a fast-charging station and your vehicle supports it, activate battery preconditioning—e.g., directly via the navigation system when selecting the charging station as your destination. This prepares the battery for faster charging, especially beneficial at fast chargers.
Connect Your Vehicle
Park at the charging point and connect your vehicle to the charging port. Fast-charging stations (DC) usually have a built-in cable. For AC charging stations, you may need your own Type 2 charging cable.
Start the Charging Process
Start charging using your app or a charging card (RFID). Some vehicles and charging stations support Plug & Charge—simply plug in and charging starts automatically.
Wait or Do Something
Use the charging time for a break, a coffee, or a quick errand—many charging points are strategically located.
End the Charging Process
Stop charging via the app or by unplugging the cable (depending on the system). Be sure to move your vehicle promptly to avoid blocking fees.
Continue Your Journey
Hit the road with fresh energy—emission-free and relaxed!
Conclusion: Charging Your EV is Easier Than You Think
Whether at home with your own EV charger or on the go—charging your electric vehicle quickly becomes routine. It’s especially convenient with a smart EV charger that adapts to your daily life and PV system.
With systems like the DaheimLaden Touch PRO or Smart PRO, you have everything under control—charging safely, quickly, and sustainably.
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