An EV charger works by converting alternating current (AC) from the power grid into direct current (DC) that can be stored in the electric vehicle’s battery. For AC chargers, this conversion is done by the car’s onboard charger, while DC fast chargers provide the DC directly to the vehicle. The charger uses a cable and a connector compatible with the car's charging port to safely deliver the electricity, managing the flow to optimize charging speed and battery longevity.

The type of plug on a charging station typically depends on the region and the standard adopted there. In Europe, for example, the Type 2 plug is common, while in North America, the J1772 plug is standard for AC charging. For DC fast charging, CHAdeMO and CCS (Combined Charging System) plugs are widely used.

Charging time depends on the type of charger (Level 1, 2 or DC fast charging), the car's battery capacity and the current charge of the battery. Level 1 charging can take more than 24 hours, Level 2 charging usually takes a few hours, and DC fast charging can charge the battery to 80% in 30 minutes to an hour.