Charging station safety: Your how-to guide to charging

Safety at the charging station: a step-by-step guide for everyday use

How does safe everyday EV charging actually work? What exactly do you need to watch out for to avoid endangering yourself or passers-by, and how can you avoid common beginner mistakes?

In this practical how-to guide, we show you step by step how to charge your car without any stress and what you should look out for when choosing the right charging infrastructure!

Step 1: Choose the right charging bay and park safely

Safe EV charging starts the moment you arrive at your chosen location. Look for charging bays that are well lit and clearly visible. This not only helps protect against vandalism but also makes you feel safe and secure, especially on dark evenings or in winter.

• The best parking position: Park your vehicle so that its charging port is as close to the station as possible. This prevents the charging cable from being stretched unnecessarily or extending far into the pedestrian area.
• Watch the flow of traffic: make sure your vehicle blocks neither moving cars nor adjacent cycle paths or pavements. Safety at the charging station always includes consideration for other road users.

Step 2: Check the equipment and fast charger’s cable management

Before inserting the connector into your vehicle, take a brief, careful look at the station. General safety at a charging station depends heavily on the physical condition of the equipment provided.

• Quick visual check: Is the housing visibly damaged? Are the contacts in the connector clean and dry? If you see any defects, choose another station.
• The cable question: Heavy cables lying all over the ground are a serious problem in public spaces. Look specifically for a fast charger with modern cable management. If charging cables lie in dirt or water, not only do your hands (or the next person's) get dirty when connecting them, but they also become dangerous trip hazards for pedestrians, children and wheelchair users. Stations with smart, ergonomic cable guidance (like our MerlinOne charging station) offer you the highest possible level of safety in everyday use.

Step 3: Digital operation and a transparent start

Once you have safely connected the cable to the vehicle, the next steps are authentication and actually starting the charging session. Safe charging for an electric car also demands the highest reliability on the digital side.

• Clear instructions: Follow the instructions on the station's screen. A safe charger guides you through the process clearly and without errors, with no hidden costs or confusing menus.
• Successful authentication: Use your preferred charging card or the relevant smartphone app, or, where available, simply pay by credit card. Wait a moment until the station confirms the connection and you hear the cable lock into your vehicle. Only then can electricity flow safely.

Step 4: Use your charging time safely and comfortably

While the electricity is flowing, you can make the most of the short wait. An ultra-fast charging session often leaves just enough time for a quick coffee or a small grocery run at the supermarket next door.

In everyday life, charging your electric vehicle to 60–80% is perfectly sufficient to carry on with your day, knowing that you can charge it back to 100% at home in the evening. This way you do not unnecessarily occupy the station for other drivers and, as a bonus, you protect your vehicle's battery.

And a reminder: Always lock your car, even if you are only popping out for a coffee. During an active charging session, the cable is locked securely into both the station and your car and cannot be removed without authorisation. This keeps your EV charging safely even when you are away.

Step 5: End the session safely and free up the space

Once you have reached the desired range, end the charging session properly.

• Unlocking correctly: Always end the charging session first via the app, charging card or your vehicle's menu. Never pull the connector out of the socket by force, as this could damage the sensitive equipment.
• Stow the cable safely: this is another example of how important intelligent cable management is on a fast charger. Return the cable properly to its holder so the next user finds a tidy and, above all, completely safe station.

Find more charging tips and tricks in our charging guide!

How JOLT Energy perfects charging station safety

At JOLT, we understand the challenges EV drivers face because we have been in the same situation ourselves. To make all these steps as simple and safe as possible for you, we use the MerlinOne high-power charger.

When you charge at one of our stations, you enjoy the following benefits for safe all-round electric-car charging:

1. No trip hazards: Retractable cables make safety a priority. Cable management at the fast charger is completely automatic. The cables never lie on the ground, do not get dirty and therefore pose no trip hazard to passers-by.
2. Complete transparency and a clear overview: Equipped with a 65-inch display for public information, our stations guarantee crystal-clear, large-format and exceptionally simple operation, day and night.
3. Back on the road ultra-fast: Compared with standard AC chargers, MerlinOne offers charging ten times faster. Our charging infrastructure can provide vehicles with enough electricity for up to 200 km of driving in just 10 minutes. You can add enough charge for your average weekly mileage in only 10 to 15 minutes.

Safety at the charging station does not have to be complicated. If you choose the right location and smart technology, charging fits into your everyday routine without any stress. On your next drive, simply keep an eye out for our stations – we look forward to getting you back on the road ultra-fast and completely safely!

=> Find a charging station now!