How to Find Electric Vehicle Charging Points?

How to Locate Charging Stations for Your Electric Car?

Do you drive an electric car? To keep moving, your vehicle needs to be charged. There are several ways to recharge your car’s battery in France. It’s worth noting that there are currently over 70,000 electric vehicle charging points across the country, and that number is set to rise. 

Wondering how to find charging points for your electric car? Discover all the available options below to help you locate electric vehicle charging points with ease.

Using the Bip&Go Mobile App

With the Bip&Go mobile app, you can easily and freely find charging points along your journeys. The app is available to download from the App Store and Google Play. 
Simply tap "Recharge" from the home screen to view nearby charging points and check their availability in real time. As charging points vary in power and connector type, you can filter your search to display only those that suit your requirements. 

Beyond locating charging points for electric vehicles, the Bip&Go app offers a range of services: reserve a space at over 1,300 car parks across Europe, plan your route in advance, and track your toll usage with ease.

Charging Point Detection Built into Your Car

Most electric cars on the market are equipped with a system that helps you locate charging stations. This feature is usually integrated into the vehicle’s navigation system. While these connected services are often free initially, they become fee-paid after a certain period. 

The services included in the onboard system vary from one car model to another. Some vehicles offer route planners, while others simply provide charging point locations. If the built-in features are limited, using an additional mobile app can be more beneficial.

Electric Charging Networks in France

Whether you’re travelling regionally or locally, you have access to a wide range of electric charging points. Most charging networks are managed by local authorities. Here are a few examples of networks set up by local energy syndicates:

• Paris Recharge;

• Belib’;

• Seine-et-Marne Energy Syndicate;

• Morbihan Energy Syndicate;

• Vendée Energy Syndicate.

You’ll also find the Reveo network in Occitanie, MobiVE in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Eborn in the Alpine regions. These charging networks extend beyond local boundaries, making it easy for electric car drivers to recharge wherever they are.

Charging Points for Long Journeys

For longer trips, rapid charging points are available. These typically offer power up to 350 kW, making them ideal for quickly recharging high-capacity batteries. However, rapid charging points may not be suitable for electric cars with smaller batteries. 

Here are some networks offering rapid charging points in France:

• Tesla Superchargers;

• IZIVIA’s Corri-Door network;

• Ionity’s ultra-high-power network;

• The Compagnie Nationale du Rhône network.

Key Information About Electric Charging Stations

When choosing an electric charging station, consider the following:

• Number of available charging points;

• Connector type;

• Operational status;

• Charging power;

• Pricing.

These details are essential as they help you ensure the charging point is compatible with your electric car. Since pricing varies between networks, comparing your options allows you to charge your car at the best rate. 

All this information is available directly in the Bip&Go app.

Equipment Needed to Charge Your Electric Car

Most standard charging points are fitted with a Type 2 socket. Your electric car should come with a compatible cable when purchased. Before setting off, always check that you have the correct connector with you. 

Some charging points, such as those found at motorway service areas, use different connectors like CHADEMO or Combo CCS for rapid charging. These are not compatible with your Type 2 cable. However, you won’t need to bring your own cable for these points, as they are usually supplied at the charging station.

Starting the Charge on Your Electric Car

Select the charging point you wish to use and ensure its number matches the one shown in the Bip&Go app. Click "start charging" and connect your vehicle to the point. Once charging is complete, click "stop charging". When the app confirms, you can safely disconnect your vehicle and continue your journey!

How to Pay at Electric Charging Points?

If you have a Bip&Go subscription, the cost of charging at the point will appear on your usual invoice. You can view your charging history in your subscriber area on the app. 

At some charging points, you can pay by bank card. Always check that your chosen charging point accepts this payment method before starting your charge.