A charging station, also known as a charge point or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), supplies electrical power for charging plug-in electric vehicles (including electric cars, trucks, buses, neighborhood electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrids).

There are two main types: AC charging stations and DC fast chargers. Batteries can only be charged with direct current (DC) electric power, while most electricity is delivered from the power grid as alternating current (AC). For this reason, most electric vehicles have an onboard charger with an AC-to-DC converter (a rectifier). At an AC charging station, power is supplied to the onboard charger. DC fast chargers facilitate higher power charging, which requires much larger AC-to-DC rectifiers. The converter is built as part of the charging station, and DC power is supplied directly to the vehicle, bypassing the onboard converter. Most fully electric car models can accept both AC and DC power.

Charging stations provide connectors that conform to a variety of international standards. DC charging stations are commonly equipped with multiple connectors to assess various vehicles that utilize competing standards.

Public charging stations are typically found in street-side or retail shopping centers, government facilities, and other parking areas. Private charging stations are usually found at residences, workplaces, and hotels.