A charging device for an electric vehicle has a first charging connector on the vehicle side for mechanically connecting to a second charging connector of an external charging station. The first charging connector has two contact elements for a DC charging process. A galvanic connection of the contact elements to an electric energy store is provided, wherein direct current flows into the electric energy store. A control device monitors the charging process and is capable of communicating with the charging station. The charging device has at least one contact element movable between a first and a second position. In the first position, the contact element is retracted in the first charging connector, and in the second position the contact element is arranged so as to contact a corresponding contact of the second charging connector when the first and the second charging connectors are mechanically connected.