How to Charge an Electric Car: Every Method, Cost and Practical Tips

There are several ways to charge an electric car - from a standard home socket to high-speed DC stations. The method you choose directly affects charging speed, cost and daily convenience. Here's a clear breakdown of every option.

Charging from a Home Socket (220V)

The simplest method: plug your EV into a regular household socket using the EVSE cable that comes with the car. No additional equipment needed.

Key facts:

• Charging power: approximately 2.2-3.7 kW (10A or 16A cable)

• Adds roughly 10-15 km of range per hour

• Full charge of a 50 kWh battery takes 14-22 hours

• Works well for overnight charging if daily mileage is under 80-100 km

Limitations: a standard apartment receives a 5 kW grid limit (older buildings sometimes 3 kW). If the EV draws 3-3.3 kW, less than 2 kW remains for other appliances. Avoid running a boiler, iron, oven or washing machine simultaneously.

Safety rules: never use extension leads or power strips - plug directly into the wall socket. Check wiring condition before first use. If the circuit breaker trips, reduce the charging current on the cable (10A/16A switch).

Home Charging Station (Wallbox)

A Wallbox is a wall-mounted charging unit installed in a garage or home parking space. It's the most convenient and fastest home charging option.

Specifications:

• Single-phase (220V): 7.4 kW - full 50 kWh battery charge in 7-8 hours

• Three-phase (380V): 11-22 kW - full charge in 2.5-5 hours

• Type 2 connector (standard for most new EVs)

• RFID card or app-controlled

Advantages over a socket: safer (overload and moisture protection), 2-3 faster, less stress on the battery than an unprotected socket.

Cost: TOKA W107 home stations start from 26,000 . Installation is separate and depends on your wiring condition. Browse the range - home charging stations.

How to Charge an Electric Car from an Apartment

This is the most common question from new EV owners. The answer: yes, it's possible - with some important details.

Option 1 - Socket inside the apartment (floors 1-2) Technically possible by running a cable through a window or door to the car below. Not safe: the cable can fray, get wet or sustain insulation damage. We don't recommend this.

Option 2 - Charging station in the building car park The best solution for apartment residents. Steps:

1. Submit a written request to your building management (OSBB or housing authority) to install a charging point

2. Obtain written approval from the building operator

3. Commission an electrical design from a licensed electrician

4. Install the station and get a separate electricity meter

This is not prohibited by law. TOKA has a dedicated programme for EV charging installation in residential complexes - EV charging in apartment buildings.

Option 3 - Nearby public stations If installing your own station isn't possible, find the nearest public charger via the TOKA map. Overnight AC charging at a nearby public station is the closest alternative to home charging in terms of cost.

Public AC Charging Stations (Mode 3)

Fixed charging stations at 7-22 kW, installed in shopping centre car parks, offices, hotels and restaurants. Standard connector: Type 2 (Mennekes).

How to charge at a TOKA station:

1. Download the TOKA app (Android / iOS)

2. Register with your phone number

3. Top up your account - via the app, Monobank or PrivatBank

4. Scan the QR code or select the station in the app

5. Connect the cable - charging starts automatically

Charging speed at 22 kW: approximately 1 minute per kilometre of range added. A 50 kWh battery from 10% to 80% takes around 2 hours.

DC Fast Charging (Mode 4)

DC charging delivers direct current straight to the battery, bypassing the car's onboard charger. Power ranges from 50 to 350 kW.

When to use it: on long-distance trips, when you urgently need a quick top-up, or during power outages when home charging is unavailable.

Charging time (10% to 80%):

• 50 kW - approximately 50-60 minutes

• 100-150 kW - 20-35 minutes

• 250-350 kW - 15-20 minutes

Important: if your EV has no active battery cooling (first-generation Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, VW e-Golf) - frequent DC charging accelerates battery degradation. Use DC only when necessary, not as a daily routine.

Connector Types: Which One Does Your Car Need?

TOKA's network supports Type 2 (AC) and CCS2 (DC). Chinese models with GB/T connectors may need an adapter - check with your dealer.

Charging Time Reference Table

How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car in 2025?

Home charging (household tariff ~4.32 UAH/kWh):

• 40 kWh battery (0-100%): ~173 UAH

• 75 kWh battery (0-100%): ~324 UAH

• Per 100 km (~15-18 kWh): ~65-78 UAH

Public AC station (~6-9 UAH/kWh):

• Per 100 km: ~90-162 UAH

DC fast charging (~12-16 UAH/kWh):

• Per 100 km: ~180-290 UAH

Compared to petrol: 100 km on petrol (8 l 60 UAH) costs around 480 UAH. Home charging is 6-7 cheaper. Even public DC charging is 2-3 cheaper than petrol.

Bottom line: charge at home overnight whenever possible. Use public AC stations during parking at work or shopping. DC is a tool for long trips and emergencies - not a daily habit.

Charging During Power Outages

A practical reality in Ukraine. Strategies that work for drivers in the TOKA network:

Strategy 1 - Plan ahead. Monitor the outage schedule and charge before cuts begin, even if the battery isn't low yet.

Strategy 2 - Public stations with backup power. Some TOKA stations run on backup power during outages - check live availability in the app.

Strategy 3 - Overnight charging. Outages most often happen during the day. Charging overnight at home is the most reliable option for most schedules.

Strategy 4 - Home energy storage (ESS). A home battery charges when the grid is on and supplies power for EV charging during outages. More details - TOKA energy storage systems.

Charging Best Practices

For battery health:

• Keep SoC between 20% and 80% in daily use - this extends battery life measurably

• Charge to 100% only before long trips

• Avoid regularly discharging below 10%

For cost savings:

• Charge overnight - off-peak rates are lower

• Use AC stations while parked at work or shopping centres - the car charges while you're doing something else anyway

For safety:

• Don't leave a charging cable exposed to rain without IP67+ protection

• Never use a visibly damaged cable

• When charging from a wall socket, avoid running other high-draw appliances simultaneously

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you charge an electric car from an apartment?

Yes - via a socket or dedicated station in the building car park, after getting approval from building management. Running a cable from an upper-floor window is unsafe and not recommended.

How do you charge an electric car at home without special equipment?

Using the EVSE cable that comes with the vehicle, plugged into a standard 220V socket. It's the slowest method but requires no extra investment. Expect 10-22 hours for a full charge depending on battery size.

How do you charge an electric car at a public station?

Download the TOKA app, register, top up your balance, find a station on the map, connect the cable and confirm charging in the app. Payment is automatic from your account balance.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home in 2026?

At 4.32 UAH/kWh with a 50 kWh battery, a full charge costs around 216 UAH. Per 100 km of range: approximately 65-80 UAH.

Can you charge an electric car without grounding?

Most modern EVSE cables and charging stations have built-in protection and can operate without a separate earth connection. However, a fixed Wallbox installation requires proper grounding under electrical safety standards - consult a licensed electrician.