# Step-by-Step: Build Your First Charging Station Request > [Charging stations](https://benomad.com/dev/doc/bemap-api/electric-mobility/charging-stations.md) ยท API reference: [`POST /chargingstation/search/1.0`](https://benomad.com/dev/doc/bemap-api/api/electric-mobility/chargingstation-search.md) This tutorial walks you through **how to build a Charging Station API request** step by step, to search for EV charging stations around a specific location. ## Step 1: Choose the Geoserver The `geoserver` defines which geospatial dataset you want to use (e.g. OpenStreetMap or a custom dataset). ``` "geoserver": "osm" ``` Most users can keep `"default"`. ## Step 2: Select the Provider(s) Choose one or more charging station providers: the keys of `chargingStationProviders` in `GET /bgis/service/acl/1.0/user/details`, which differ per account. This tutorial uses: ``` "providers": ["ecoMovement"] ``` `ecoMovement` is the only provider that carries charge passes and tariffs. ## Step 3: Set the Search Mode The `mode` controls whether the search uses local cache or provider APIs. Use the recommended setting: ``` "mode": "LOCAL_OR_REMOTE" ``` This mode will use local data if possible, or fall back to remote provider search when needed. ## Step 4: Define the Center Coordinate Pick the center point for your search. Use WGS84 coordinates (decimal degrees): ``` "coordinate": { "lon": 2.3412, "lat": 48.8569 } ``` Tip: You can use a map tool like [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps?q=48.8543694,2.34014219) to find precise coordinates. ## Step 5: Set the Search Radius Define how far (in meters) around your coordinate the system should look: ``` "radius": 300 ``` Here, 300 meters = 0.3 km around the selected point. ## Optional: Add Options (Advanced) You can request extra detail using the options field. For example, to show connector-level info: ``` "options": ["PATH_POINT"] ``` See [Charging Station Options](https://benomad.com/dev/doc/bemap-api/guides/tutorials/chargingstation-options.md) for more. See more details in the [API reference](https://benomad.com/dev/doc/bemap-api/guides/services/chargingstation-search.md). ## Final Request Example Here is a complete example combining all the above steps: ``` { "geoserver": "osm", "providers": ["ecoMovement"], "mode": "LOCAL_OR_REMOTE", "radius": 300, "coordinate": { "lon": 2.3412, "lat": 48.8569 }, "options": ["PATH_POINT"] } ``` Send this via **POST** to `/bgis/service/chargingstation/search/1.0` Include header: `Content-Type: application/json` ## Response Analysis ``` { "pools": [ { "providerName": "ecoMovement", "providerMode": "LOCAL", "id": "8f709a26-466d-11e9-8601-42010a840003", "sourceProvider": "Tesla Destination", "updateDate": 1753672005588, "brand": "Tesla Destination", "nameOfPool": "Tesla Destination Charger Relais Christine", "accessibility": "RESTRICTED", "availabilityStatus": "NA", "longitude": 2.34014219, "latitude": 48.8543694, "countryCode": "FRA", "country": "FRA", "postalCode": "75006", "city": "6e Arrondissement", "street": "3 Rue Christine", "siteCategory": "ON_STREET", "phoneNumber": "+(33)-(9)-70730850", "chargingStations": [ { "nature": "VGROUP", "availabilityStatus": "NA", "chargePasses": [ { "title": "Tesla", "networkName": "Tesla" } ], "bookable": false, "chargingPoints": [ { "id": "491848_1", "availabilityStatus": "NA", "type": 32, "connectorTypes": [ { "id": 32, "key": "TYPE_2-ATTACHED_CABLE", "operatorId": "491848_1_0", "deprecated": false, "name": "Type 2", "norm": "IEC 62196 Type 2 (Mennekes)", "maxPower": 43, "power": 11, "voltage": 230, "ampere": 16, "acSingle": false, "acThree": true, "dc": false, "cable": true } ], "currentType": "AC_THREE_PHASES", "voltage": 230, "ampere": 16, "power": 11 } ] }, { "nature": "VGROUP", "availabilityStatus": "NA", "chargePasses": [ { "title": "Tesla", "networkName": "Tesla" } ], "bookable": false, "chargingPoints": [ { "id": "491848_0", "availabilityStatus": "NA", "type": 32, "connectorTypes": [ { "id": 32, "key": "TYPE_2-ATTACHED_CABLE", "operatorId": "491848_0_0", "deprecated": false, "name": "Type 2", "norm": "IEC 62196 Type 2 (Mennekes)", "maxPower": 43, "power": 11, "voltage": 230, "ampere": 16, "acSingle": false, "acThree": true, "dc": false, "cable": true } ], "currentType": "AC_THREE_PHASES", "voltage": 230, "ampere": 16, "power": 11 } ] }, { "nature": "VGROUP", "availabilityStatus": "NA", "chargePasses": [ { "title": "Tesla", "networkName": "Tesla" } ], "bookable": false, "chargingPoints": [ { "id": "491848_2", "availabilityStatus": "NA", "type": 32, "connectorTypes": [ { "id": 32, "key": "TYPE_2-ATTACHED_CABLE", "operatorId": "491848_2_0", "deprecated": false, "name": "Type 2", "norm": "IEC 62196 Type 2 (Mennekes)", "maxPower": 43, "power": 11, "voltage": 230, "ampere": 16, "acSingle": false, "acThree": true, "dc": false, "cable": true } ], "currentType": "AC_THREE_PHASES", "voltage": 230, "ampere": 16, "power": 11 } ] } ], "summaryOfConnectorTypeIds": [ 32 ], "maxNominalPower": 11, "numberOfChargingPoint": 3 } ] } ``` When you send the request above, you receive a response containing a list of **charging station pools**. Below is a detailed breakdown of a typical response entry: **Root Object: pools** The root object is a list of `pools`, each representing a group of charging stations at a physical location. In this example, only one pool was returned. ## Pool Information | Field | Description | | --------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | `id` | Unique ID of the pool | | `providerName` | Name of the data provider (e.g., `ecoMovement`) | | `sourceProvider` | Real-world provider (e.g., `Tesla Destination`) | | `brand` | Brand associated with the pool | | `nameOfPool` | Display name of the location | | `accessibility` | Whether the location is public or restricted (e.g., `RESTRICTED`) | | `updateDate` | Last update timestamp (epoch, in milliseconds) | | `siteCategory` | Category of the site (e.g., `ON_STREET`) | | `countryCode`, `city`, `street`, `postalCode` | Address details | | `phoneNumber` | Contact number for the location | ### Charging Stations (chargingStations) Each pool contains one or more charging stations, represented by the chargingStations array. Each station includes: - `nature`: `"VGROUP"` (a simple group, not a physical object, as in this example) or `"REAL"` (an object that exists in the real world) - `availabilityStatus`: May be `"NA"` if real-time data is not available - `chargePasses`: Accepted charge passes (e.g., `Tesla`) - `bookable`: Whether the station is reservable - `chargingPoints`: One or more charging points available at this station ### Charging Points Each station includes one or more charging points, each with technical details: | Field | Description | | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `id` | Unique ID for the charging point | | `availabilityStatus` | Real-time availability (if available) | | `type` | Internal connector type ID (e.g., 32) | | `currentType` | AC or DC type (e.g., `AC_THREE_PHASES`) | | `voltage`, `ampere`, `power` | Electrical specifications | | `connectorTypes` | Array with detailed connector specs (standard, cable, deprecated flag, etc.) | In this example, all charging points are **Type 2 (IEC 62196)**, with 11 kW power and three-phase AC. ### Summary Fields | Field | Description | | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | `summaryOfConnectorTypeIds` | List of unique connector type IDs in the pool (e.g., `[32]`) | | `maxNominalPower` | Maximum power across all charging points | | `numberOfChargingPoint` | Total number of charging points in the pool | ### In Summary This response tells you: - There is one Tesla Destination charging location nearby. - It offers 3 Type 2 connectors, all rated at 11 kW. - The location is restricted access. - No real-time availability info is provided (`availabilityStatus: NA`). You can now use this structure to interpret any search results and optionally display them on a map or in your UI.