In a method and a device for charging an electric vehicle with a charging current, having: a connection for connecting to a domestic mains supply connected to a power generating plant, a power supply grid, an energy management device, and possibly an energy storage; a charging connection for connecting to the electric vehicle (11) to be charged; and a control device for controlling the charging current for charging the electric vehicle, at least one device determines the surplus power of the domestic mains supply and the power drawn from the power supply grid and compares them with at least one activation threshold and/or deactivation threshold. The control device is designed so that the charging current for charging the electric vehicle is according to the at least two preset charging currents, by activating or deactivating the corresponding preset charging current when upon reaching the corresponding activation threshold values or deactivation threshold values.