Can I charge my electric car from a normal socket in Spain?

Charging an EV from a normal socket: yes, but only now and then

Almost every electric car comes with a mode 2 charging cable: a lead with a control box in the middle that plugs into a standard Spanish Schuko socket (Type F, two round pins with side earth clips). It works, but the cable itself limits the current to 10 A, about 2.3 kW, and adds only 10 to 13 km of range per hour of charging. Perfect for an emergency or a weekend away, not for every day.

Why it is not a good idea every day

• The socket suffers. A Schuko is a 16 A socket, but it is not designed to carry 10 A for 10 hours straight, night after night. It heats up, the socket and plug deteriorate and the risk of burning increases.
• It has no protection of its own. It shares its circuit and RCD with other sockets in the house.
• It is very slow. A large battery can take 12 to 26 hours.
• Never use extension leads or power strips.

Mode 1, plugging in with no communication with the car, is in practice ruled out for cars and is used for bicycles and light motorbikes.

The alternatives

The dedicated socket (toma reforzada) is a 16 A outlet with its own line and protection, much safer than a normal socket. A wallbox with a dedicated circuit and its own RCD is what we recommend if the car is your main vehicle. Prices exclude 21 % VAT.

If you live in a flat with a communal garage

You cannot use the community’s socket to charge: you would be using everyone’s electricity. The solution is to run a line from your own meter to your parking space and, for that, you only need to notify the comunidad (the owners’ association).

When to call an electrician

When the car will charge every day, when you notice the socket getting hot or when you want to know which option suits your contracted power. In Seville, Spain we install chargers in detached houses and in communal garages. Everything about charging is on our EV charger installation page. More answers in our FAQ.