Laadimispunkt

Laadimispunkt (charging point) is a location or device where electrical energy is supplied to recharge a battery. It is a central element of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs), but can also recharge mobile devices, industrial equipment or stationary storage systems.

Laadimispunktid can be public, semi-public or private. Public points are installed in streets, parking lots and service stations; private points are at homes or company sites. They vary in power and connectivity, and may include smart features for monitoring, metering and billing.

Technical characteristics: a laadimispunkt comprises a power converter, a connector, a cable, metering/communication hardware and a user interface or authentication method. Speeds are classified as slow/standard AC (roughly 3–7 kW), fast AC (11–22 kW), and DC fast charging (50 kW and higher). High-power DC points (150–350 kW) enable rapid recharging for long-distance travel.

Connectors reflect regional standards: in Europe, Type 2 is common for AC charging; DC connectors include CCS and CHAdeMO, while Tesla uses its own connector in some markets. Interoperability is supported by networks and standards such as the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) for communications and roaming agreements that allow charging across networks.

Operation and safety: laadimispunktid must comply with electrical safety regulations, protection mechanisms, and accessibility requirements. They usually feature payment options, remote monitoring, diagnostics and maintenance.

Impact: widespread, reliable laadimispunkt infrastructure supports electrification of transport, urban air quality, and grid management through smart charging and demand-response programs.