Public electric car charging

Charging your electric car in public.

We'll help simplify the process of charging your Hyundai in public from the cables you will come across, to how you can find your nearest station.

Charging cables.

When recharging at one of the many public charging stations you should be aware that charging cables aren't all the same. Not only are there different cables but plugs can be different too.

Man leaning on IONIQ 5 whilst plugged into IONITY charging station.

Charging infrastructure.

Whilst some stations have several charging options, your selection will depend on what's most suitable to you and the charging technology available within your car.

Types of public electric car charging.

There are two types of electric vehicle charging you should be aware of at public stations:

Alternating current (AC) charging
Direct current (DC) charging

AC charging is typically less energy-intensive which makes it slower. When you charge at home using a conventional plug or home electric car charger, and even at public stations, you will be using AC.

DC charging can be completed at greater speeds and is typically found at public charging stations.

Type 2 cable.

Alternating current (AC) is the most common current available powering many electric applications in our daily lives. Like your wallbox at home, most public charging stations work with AC and require the same Type 2 cable.

AC allows easy conversion for long distance power transmissions, which makes it ideal for charging at home, overnight, or at destination charging stations such as stations, hotels, and supermarket car parks. Both ICCB cable and the Type 2 cable use AC current.

CCS type 2 cable.

Fast-charging stations use direct current (DC) and usually have a permanently connected Combined Charging System cable (CCS or Combo 2). These are similar to Type 2 cables but instead have two additional contacts to allow high-power DC fast charging.

DC charging delivers high voltage, powerful bursts of current, making it ideal for high-power charging (up to 350kW)¹ allowing for greater speed of charging during stopovers on longer journeys.

Ultra-fast charging with direct current (DC).

Ultra-fast charging stations are most likely found on the motorway at service stations. These stations are the same as a fast-charging station except they can deliver much greater power, defined as everything in the range of 150 kW to 350 kW¹, and therefore much faster charging speed.

Labels at public electric car charging stations.

New labels can now be found on stations so electric car drivers can identify compatible recharging options.

For example, if your electric vehicle has a "B" level and the charging station has a "B" label, they are compatible. On the car, the symbol is black and on the charging station, the symbol is white.

AC charging labels.

When using AC charging, match the black label on your car to the corresponding white label on the charging station. For example: "C" on your KONA Electric to "C" on a charging station. Label C means you'll be using Type 2 AC charging, which applies to all Hyundai EV's and PHEV's.

DC charging.

When DC charging, match the black label on your vehicle to the corresponding white label on the charging station. For example: "L" on your IONIQ 5 to "L" on a charging station. Label K and L means you'll be using CCS DC charging, where "K" is rapid charging and "L" ultra-rapid charging (100kW+).

What factors affect EV charging speeds?

As we've learned, every station and plug is not created equal - or better said: many factors affect the speed at which your electric car can charge in public, such as the:

Size and state of charge of the battery
Max. charging rate of the on-board-charger
Max. charging speed of the public charging station
External temperatures - batteries do not like extreme heat or cold

Woman holding her Charge myHyundai card.

Charging made easier.

Learn everything about Charge myHyundai, our exclusive tariffs, and our &ChargeProgram.

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How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

The cost of charging your electric car depends on a few variables. You must consider the public stations you use, the size of your car battery and the tariffs you choose.

The cost of public charging stations depends on the charging speeds they provide. An ultra-fast charging station would imply a higher cost than an AC station.

Man plugging in IONITY charger to his Hyundai.

Hyundai tariffs.

Planning your journey in advance can save you time and money - explore our tariffs and maps below to check the details of public charging stations.

Explore Hyundai tariffs

Vehicle-to-load charging.

Vehicle-to-Load technology allows you to freely use, or charge electric devices such as electric bicycles, laptops, and even camping equipment whilst on the move at a standstill. What's more, this technology effectively replaces the need for fuel-powered generators in emergencies or remote locations, allowing you to power your home, cabin, or camping site with up to 3.6 kW of electricity.

Available with IONIQ 5 N, IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6 and KONA EV.

Charge from inside your car.

Power any device or charge your electrical equipment up to speeds of 3.6 kW with the onboard 220V plug of IONIQ 6’s Vehicle-to-Load technology (V2L).
Or charge from anywhere.

Thanks to the adapter that plugs into the bidirectional exterior charging port, you can power devices up to 3.6 kW even when the car is turned off.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G).

V2G allows energy to be pushed back to the power grid from the battery of an electric car. Hyundai plans to implement the V2G function in its upcoming BEV models.