Glossary
EV charging modes 1, 2, 3 and 4 (modos de carga)
The four ways of connecting an electric car to the grid under standard UNE-EN 61851-1: mode 1, socket with no control; mode 2, the car cable; mode 3, a wallbox on AC; mode 4, a DC rapid charger.
The EV charging modes
EV charging modes are defined by standard UNE-EN 61851-1 and included in ITC-BT-52. They describe how the car is connected, whether it communicates with the charger and which protection is involved.
| Mode | Connection | Typical power | Real use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Normal socket up to 16 A, no communication | 2.3 to 3.7 kW | In practice not allowed for cars; e-bikes and light scooters only |
| 2 | Socket with the car cable, which has a control and protection box | 2.3 to 3.7 kW | Occasional or emergency charging |
| 3 | Fixed station (wallbox) on AC with pilot control | 3.7, 7.4, 11 and 22 kW | The standard at home, in communities, hotels and businesses |
| 4 | External DC charger connected to the battery | 50 to 400 kW | Charging stations, fleets and hubs |
Which to use
- Mode 2 on a normal socket: fine to get by, but the cable limits it to 10 A (2.3 kW) and a Schuko socket is not built to carry that current for hours. Not for daily use.
- Mode 3: what an electrician fits at home. At 7.4 kW, a 60 kWh battery goes from 20 to 80 % in about 5 hours.
- Mode 4: rapid charging on the road, with a CCS Combo 2 connector. Used daily, it degrades the battery most; slow AC charging is the gentlest.
When to call an electrician
If you charge every day from a normal socket or a power strip, get it checked: the right answer is a reinforced socket on its own circuit or, better, a mode 3 wallbox with a dedicated circuit and protection. See home EV charger for a house and, for business rapid charging, EV charging for fleets in Seville, Spain.
Related services
Home EV charger for houses
EV charger installation in Seville, Spain for your villa or townhouse is a one-day job: a dedicated circuit from your fuse board, its own protection devices, a 7.4 to 22 kW wallbox and a boletín registered with the Junta de Andalucía. In 2026 you can still deduct 15 % in your Spanish income tax return.
EV charging for businesses and fleets
We install fleet EV charging in Seville, Spain: chargers for your company vehicles, for staff and for the customer car park, with user management by card, power sharing and consumption tracking per vehicle. We also handle the engineering project and the legalisation.
Need an electrician in Seville, Spain?
Call us or send a WhatsApp message with a photo of the job. You get a fixed quote before any work starts.