Your first electric car? Start with charging.
Charging is what sets an electric car apart from a petrol one. Work through these five questions before you decide and you will know what to expect.
Five questions before you buy
- 1
Can I charge at home?
Charging at home is usually the cheapest and easiest: you plug in at night and it is full by morning. Without private parking, everything depends on the chargers near you.
Work out what a charge costs → - 2
Which plug do you need?
Almost every new car in Europe charges with Type 2, and with CCS at a fast charger. When you buy, check that a charging cable is included, because without one you cannot plug in.
Plugs explained → - 3
How do you pay on the road?
Not every charger works with the same card or app. With a charging card you usually pay less than without, but compare what suits you first.
Compare charging cards → - 4
What about long trips?
On the road you charge at a fast charger. A charge there often takes around half an hour, depending on your car. Check which fast chargers sit on your regular routes.
See fast chargers → - 5
What is near you?
Look up your street, your workplace and the places you visit often on the map. You will see straight away whether charging will be easy for you.
Open the map →
Charging at home? Here is how to approach a home charger →
Live in an apartment? Here is how to get a charge point →
No driveway? How to request a public charger
In Flanders you can request a public charger near your home if you have nowhere else to charge. It is called "Paal volgt Wagen" (the charger follows the car). These are the conditions according to the Flemish government.
Conditions
- You have a fully electric passenger car or light van, bought, leased or through your company. Hybrids do not count. An order form or lease contract is enough as proof, so you do not need to have the car yet.
- You have no private parking, or you cannot install a charge point there yourself.
- There is no public charge point within 250 metres' walk of your home.
- Your municipality does not place chargers only according to its own charging plan.
How it works
- You submit the request online through the Flemish government's e-counter.
- The Flemish Department of Mobility and Public Works checks your request. You hear within 40 calendar days of your complete file whether it goes ahead.
- If the answer is positive, the government asks the charger operator to place a charger near you. The government does not say how long installation takes after that.
Do you live in Antwerp, Genk or Ghent? There the request goes through the city itself. Mechelen, Leuven, Knokke-Heist, Blankenberge, Aalter, Sint-Truiden, Temse and As also manage their own chargers: ask your municipality first.
Check the conditions on the official page before you apply, because they can change. This scheme applies to Flanders.
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Frequently asked questions about your first electric car
Can I own an electric car without a private driveway?
Yes, but it takes a bit more planning. First check on the map which chargers are on your street and near your work. If there is none within 250 metres, you can request a public charger in Flanders. You can read how above.
How much does charging cost?
At home you usually pay the lowest price per kWh, more at a public charger and the most at a fast charger. The exact price depends on the operator and your charging card. The calculator shows what a charge costs.
Do I need a charging card?
Not always. Many chargers let you pay without a card, but that is often more expensive. If you charge in public regularly, you usually pay less with a card.
How long does charging take?
It depends on your battery and the charger's power. At home you charge overnight; at a fast charger a charge often takes around half an hour. The calculator works it out for your car.