Plug, Charge, Go: Choosing the right charging station!
For fleet managers and HR professionals handling electric vehicle (EV) fleets, it’s important to understand how charging infrastructures work and the options available. Below, we compare the electric charging of a vehicle via a regular power socket with Type 2 cable, a standard charging station, a smart charging station, and a connected smart charging station.
1. TYPE 2/SCHUKO STANDARD CHARGING CABLE
Charging via a household power socket (by using a Type 2/Schuko cable*) may be at first glance slower, but in a large number of cases it is the most cost-effective option. Despite the lack of data tracking from the socket itself, when paired with EEVEE, this solution becomes both affordable and efficient. Overnight charging provides enough range that easily can go up to 200 km, which is enough for making daily trips. As a result, this is a viable solution without needing to invest in costly home charging stations.
– BEST FOR: Ensures that you don't draw high peaks from the grid, which is good for your capacity tariff.Reducing peaks. All fleet sizes that want to save on expensive charging infrastructure and still meet their daily range requirements.
– DRAWBACK: Slower charging and no built-in tracking, but EEVEE provides detailed insights directly from the vehicle to monitor charging sessions.
– PRICE: Starting from €189,-
*example: Besen Mobile Charger – Type 2 to Schuko
Charging via a household power socket (by using a Type 2/Schuko cable*) may be at first glance slower, but in a large number of cases it is the most cost-effective option. Despite the lack of data tracking from the socket itself, when paired with EEVEE, this solution becomes both affordable and efficient. Overnight charging provides enough range that easily can go up to 200 km, which is enough for making daily trips. As a result, this is a viable solution without needing to invest in costly home charging stations.
– BEST FOR: Ensures that you don't draw high peaks from the grid, which is good for your capacity tariff.Reducing peaks. All fleet sizes that want to save on expensive charging infrastructure and still meet their daily range requirements.
– DRAWBACK: Slower charging and no built-in tracking, but EEVEE provides detailed insights directly from the vehicle to monitor charging sessions.
– PRICE: Starting from €189,-
*example: Besen Mobile Charger – Type 2 to Schuko
2. CONNECTED CHARGING CABLE, AKA SMART CHARGING CABLE
A smart charging cable is nothing else than a standard charging cable* that is connected to a backend Charge Point Operator (CPO) platform, which allows home charging to be tracked and reimbursed. The connected or smart charging cable does not provide a faster charging speed compared to the standard charging cable, plugged into a regular household power socket. So you can charge up to 15 km/h. It lacks the smart energy management functions that come with a smart charging station, like for example load balancing.
– BEST FOR: There is no real advantage for anyone compared to the standard cable.
– DRAWBACK: Higher risk of fraud and vendor lock-in issues.
– PRICE: Starting from €700,- (Monthly fee not included)
*example: Ohme Go
A smart charging cable is nothing else than a standard charging cable* that is connected to a backend Charge Point Operator (CPO) platform, which allows home charging to be tracked and reimbursed. The connected or smart charging cable does not provide a faster charging speed compared to the standard charging cable, plugged into a regular household power socket. So you can charge up to 15 km/h. It lacks the smart energy management functions that come with a smart charging station, like for example load balancing.
– BEST FOR: There is no real advantage for anyone compared to the standard cable.
– DRAWBACK: Higher risk of fraud and vendor lock-in issues.
– PRICE: Starting from €700,- (Monthly fee not included)
*example: Ohme Go
3. STANDARD CHARGING STATION
A standard charging station* provides faster charging compared to a regular household power socket, but lacks data tracking or remote control features. It’s a basic plug-and-play solution that continues charging until manually disconnected. Charging stations in general are sometimes reduced in capacity from 11 to 6 kW to avoid drawing (too) high peaks from the grid.
– BEST FOR: Simple setups with basic needs or for fleets looking for providing cost-effective infrastructure to their employees.
– DRAWBACK: No data monitoring from the charger itself, but EEVEE will compensate for this by delivering charging data through the vehicle connectivity to optimize charging. You can also check charging sessions in your car’s app.
– PRICE: Starting from €500,- (Installation excluded)
*example: Tesla Wall Connector
A standard charging station* provides faster charging compared to a regular household power socket, but lacks data tracking or remote control features. It’s a basic plug-and-play solution that continues charging until manually disconnected. Charging stations in general are sometimes reduced in capacity from 11 to 6 kW to avoid drawing (too) high peaks from the grid.
– BEST FOR: Simple setups with basic needs or for fleets looking for providing cost-effective infrastructure to their employees.
– DRAWBACK: No data monitoring from the charger itself, but EEVEE will compensate for this by delivering charging data through the vehicle connectivity to optimize charging. You can also check charging sessions in your car’s app.
– PRICE: Starting from €500,- (Installation excluded)
*example: Tesla Wall Connector
4. SMART CHARGING STATION
Smart chargers* let you track and control charging remotely. You can schedule sessions during off-peak hours to save on energy costs and monitor consumption.They intelligently manage the charging process for your EV. It offers features that go beyond standard EV chargers by incorporating technology for greater efficiency, convenience, and safety. You can typically incorporate the smart charger into your Home Energy Management System (HEMS) to benefit from interesting services like for example energy management, remote control and load balancing and solar panel integration. They do not need a connection with a fleet management system or a Charge Point Operator (CPO) platform. They do offer RFID functionality to authenticate users.
– BEST FOR: Those who need advanced control over their home energy use.
– DRAWBACK: Limited integration with larger fleet systems.
– PRICE: Starting from €650,- (Installation excluded)
*example: Easee Charge
Smart chargers* let you track and control charging remotely. You can schedule sessions during off-peak hours to save on energy costs and monitor consumption.They intelligently manage the charging process for your EV. It offers features that go beyond standard EV chargers by incorporating technology for greater efficiency, convenience, and safety. You can typically incorporate the smart charger into your Home Energy Management System (HEMS) to benefit from interesting services like for example energy management, remote control and load balancing and solar panel integration. They do not need a connection with a fleet management system or a Charge Point Operator (CPO) platform. They do offer RFID functionality to authenticate users.
– BEST FOR: Those who need advanced control over their home energy use.
– DRAWBACK: Limited integration with larger fleet systems.
– PRICE: Starting from €650,- (Installation excluded)
*example: Easee Charge
5. CONNECTED SMART CHARGING STATION
Connected chargers* are actually smart charging stations with a sim card connected with a Charge Point Operator platform. They go beyond smart energy features and support split-billing and using an RFID reader. Often used by large fleets but also frequently the source of operational issues.
– BEST FOR: There is essentially no real advantage for anyone compared to the previous chargers.
– DRAWBACK: Higher risk of fraud and vendor lock-in issues.
– PRICE: Starting from €1500,- (Installation excluded & at least a €5/month subscription)
*example: Alfen Eve Single Pro-Line
Connected chargers* are actually smart charging stations with a sim card connected with a Charge Point Operator platform. They go beyond smart energy features and support split-billing and using an RFID reader. Often used by large fleets but also frequently the source of operational issues.
– BEST FOR: There is essentially no real advantage for anyone compared to the previous chargers.
– DRAWBACK: Higher risk of fraud and vendor lock-in issues.
– PRICE: Starting from €1500,- (Installation excluded & at least a €5/month subscription)
*example: Alfen Eve Single Pro-Line
IMPORTANT: EEVEE Delivers Full Control – No Matter the Charging Setup
No matter which regular power socket, standard charger, smart chargers, or connected charging stations are used, EEVEE ensures complete registration of the charging details, direct control on fraudulent use of the home charger and significant cost savings.
The best part? It doesn’t rely on the type of charging infrastructure – whether it’s an employee's existing home charger or a new installation. EEVEE collects real-time data directly from the vehicles, bypassing the need for connected (smart) charger-based data.
This means there’s no need to invest in expensive charging hardware to track usage, manage costs, or monitor performance. EEVEE integrates seamlessly with any new or existing charging setup and even connects with fleet management and financial systems, providing the insights needed to optimize fleet operations. You’ll save money while gaining full visibility, regardless of where or how your vehicles charge.
As the EV landscape in general evolves quickly, EEVEE future-proofs your e-fleet management needs. EEVEE will always remain compatible with emerging charging technologies, allowing you to stay ahead without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades. No matter how the market changes, you’ll always have access to the critical data required to handle charging expenses and optimize your fleet costs. Thanks to EEVEE’s exclusive data connectivity with the vehicle manufacturers.
No matter which regular power socket, standard charger, smart chargers, or connected charging stations are used, EEVEE ensures complete registration of the charging details, direct control on fraudulent use of the home charger and significant cost savings.
The best part? It doesn’t rely on the type of charging infrastructure – whether it’s an employee's existing home charger or a new installation. EEVEE collects real-time data directly from the vehicles, bypassing the need for connected (smart) charger-based data.
This means there’s no need to invest in expensive charging hardware to track usage, manage costs, or monitor performance. EEVEE integrates seamlessly with any new or existing charging setup and even connects with fleet management and financial systems, providing the insights needed to optimize fleet operations. You’ll save money while gaining full visibility, regardless of where or how your vehicles charge.
As the EV landscape in general evolves quickly, EEVEE future-proofs your e-fleet management needs. EEVEE will always remain compatible with emerging charging technologies, allowing you to stay ahead without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades. No matter how the market changes, you’ll always have access to the critical data required to handle charging expenses and optimize your fleet costs. Thanks to EEVEE’s exclusive data connectivity with the vehicle manufacturers.
