This depends on whether it's an AC or DC charging point. and, if "AC", which Charging Mode.

WIth AC charging, Modes 1, 2 and 3, the actual battery charger is in the vehicle. However, with the exception of Mode 1, it doesn't mean there's nothing in the charging lead (Mode 2) or charging point (Mode 3).

Mode 1 charging describes simple plugging in an electric vehicle to a standard socket-outlet. This Mode hasn't been used for a number of years.

Mode 2 charging permits charging through a special charging lead, that has the additional feature of residual current protection in a lead, as well as permitting the vehicle to monitor the protective conductor within the vehicle, and know the current delivery limit of the charging lead. Power is applied by the lead to the vehicle only after successful "handshake" with the vehicle.

A Mode 3 (AC) charging point has a number of features:

• Monitoring of the protective earth connection by the vehicle.
• Lets vehicle know how much charging current is available (some charging points permit this to be set by the installer, or varied dynamically dependent on either installation maximum demand, or SMART charging instructions).
• RCD and protection against DC currents must be provided in the supply to the charging equipment, or in the charging equipment itself (hence, failure to install Mode 3 EVSE properly in accordance with BS 7671, taking into account manufacturer's instructions, may mean the charging point is not safe).
• Handshake to be completed before power is connected to vehicle (and checked during charge, and if it fails, power is disconnected from vehicle).

Mode 4 (DC charging) moves the actual charger from the vehicle into the charging point, as well as having a number of the other features of Mode 3 charging. The charging point and vehicle battery communicate to determine the most appropriate charging current to deliver, based on the amounts available if there is a limit from the charging point.

Recent legislation has minimum requirements for functionality of newly installed charging equipment - i.e. at least Mode 3, with certain features that are 'optional' in the standard becoming mandatory (including SMART charging).

This depends on whether it's an AC or DC charging point. and, if "AC", which Charging Mode.

WIth AC charging, Modes 1, 2 and 3, the actual battery charger is in the vehicle. However, with the exception of Mode 1, it doesn't mean there's nothing in the charging lead (Mode 2) or charging point (Mode 3).

Mode 1 charging describes simple plugging in an electric vehicle to a standard socket-outlet. This Mode hasn't been used for a number of years.

Mode 2 charging permits charging through a special charging lead, that has the additional feature of residual current protection in a lead, as well as permitting the vehicle to monitor the protective conductor within the vehicle, and know the current delivery limit of the charging lead. Power is applied by the lead to the vehicle only after successful "handshake" with the vehicle.

A Mode 3 (AC) charging point has a number of features:

• Monitoring of the protective earth connection by the vehicle.
• Lets vehicle know how much charging current is available (some charging points permit this to be set by the installer, or varied dynamically dependent on either installation maximum demand, or SMART charging instructions).
• RCD and protection against DC currents must be provided in the supply to the charging equipment, or in the charging equipment itself (hence, failure to install Mode 3 EVSE properly in accordance with BS 7671, taking into account manufacturer's instructions, may mean the charging point is not safe).
• Handshake to be completed before power is connected to vehicle (and checked during charge, and if it fails, power is disconnected from vehicle).

Mode 4 (DC charging) moves the actual charger from the vehicle into the charging point, as well as having a number of the other features of Mode 3 charging. The charging point and vehicle battery communicate to determine the most appropriate charging current to deliver, based on the amounts available if there is a limit from the charging point.

Recent legislation has minimum requirements for functionality of newly installed charging equipment - i.e. at least Mode 3, with certain features that are 'optional' in the standard becoming mandatory (including SMART charging).