The question of charging EVs has been a contentious issue. The world is struggling to get more electric vehicles on the road. But at the same time people are struggling to get the answer of how do electric cars charge? It has been blamed on a lack of public charging infrastructure. In a current era and in future charging of electric vehicles will be more easy. There will be enough options to charge your EV anytime easily.
The charging process for an electric vehicle is straightforward, and there are several options. It all depends on your vehicle’s size and range. You can charge many models in just 30 minutes with high voltage quick chargers. Full-charged batteries can be used for replacements or replace ones that have become depleted.
What is the working principle of an EV charger?
EV Chargers come in 2 types:
AC Chargers AC charging is an easy and compact method of charging your electric car. They can also be easily installed at your home. AC Chargers are affordable and can be installed in multiple places such as shops, offices, or workplaces. An AC charger is a charger that provides power to an onboard charger of the vehicle. It converts AC power to DC power to charge its battery. These chargers take 6-8 hours to charge the vehicle.
DC Chargers These chargers provide high-capacity Charging and are used to charge the vehicle quickly. DC chargers supply DC power directly to your battery. They bypass all limitations of low-capacity conversions of the onboard chargers and take less time to charge your electric vehicle. Fast Charging can charge the vehicle in under an hour. This charger is ideal for charging public EV Charging stations within cities or highways and fleet operators.
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EV CHARGING AT HOME
You may charge many electric vehicles at home. When time is not an issue, it is feasible to connect to a standard domestic electrical outlet for charging your EV. Many EV drivers might want to add a Level 2-240-volt AC charging station to speed up their charging speeds.
Professional EV charger installers should install level 2 charging stations. Many local governments offer incentives and rebates to EV charger buyers and installers.
Some utilities offer special rates for EV charging to lower home charging costs. Many EVs also have software that allows you to charge your vehicle at lower electricity rates.
All EVs have a standard charger cable that plugs into the car. This plug is similar to what you might find on your TV or fridge. It can be used to charge your electric car in your garage, at home, or outdoors if you have an outside socket.
While a standard household socket will power your electric car, an electrician should survey to verify that the wiring can handle the additional voltage. The wiring should be upgraded if needed. An additional electrical circuit could be made for your EV charging plug. Charging cables are usually not very long, so make sure the socket is near your charging point. It is not recommended to use extension cables with electric vehicles.
The location of your home will impact the time it takes to charge. An electric car capable of driving 100 miles per charge would take seven to eight hours. A home EV charger unit can be installed for an additional fee to help speed things up, no matter where you are. These units will provide safety and convenience and charge your car 2 to 3 times faster than an standard socket.
Home Charging Solutions: Level 1 & Level 2
There are two types: level 1 charge and level 2 charge.
- Level1 Charging occurs when you charge your electric vehicle (EV) using the charger with the car. These chargers plug into standard 120V outlets. You can plug the other end of the charger into the car. It can charge 200km (124 miles) in less than 20 hours.
- Level2: These chargers can be purchased separately from the car. These chargers have a more complicated setup because they need a 120V outlet to be plugged in. This charger allows you to charge your electric car up to seven times faster, depending upon the model. These chargers come with an SAE connector and can be ordered online in Canada or the USA. They will usually require an electrician to install. A level 2 home charge station is recommended to maximize your electric vehicle’s potential. Some regions offer incentives to reduce the cost of installation and purchase.
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PUBLIC CHGING STATIONS
There are many places you can charge your vehicle outside of your home. There are many public options that you can use to charge your vehicle beyond the EV wall charger in your garage.
- Some workplaces offer free EV charging for employees.
- Some utilities and municipalities have installed public charging stations to encourage EV usage.
- Many EV retailers offer charging stations at their locations.
- Private companies sometimes offer them to customers.
Most chargers in this category are medium-speed Level 2-240-volt AC chargers. Prices vary depending on the use.
Many charging stations around the country have high-speed 3–DC Fast Chargers. Many stations are near restaurants and shops, making it easy to pass the time while charging.
Payments can be made using an app, smart card, or credit card account. They include maps that show all EV charging stations within their network. Sometimes, they also have other options.
Plug-In USA is another organization that provides online maps showing the locations of all available charging stations. The number of charging stations on the market is increasing rapidly.
Commercial Electric Charging Station
Business owners are installing Level 2 charging points for their employees and customers. Some businesses will allow EV drivers charge-free, while others may require a small amount.
Commercial Installation Basics
Prices for commercial Level 2 chargers (7.2kWh/240V/20A/), range from $1,500 to $3,000.
Installation costs for wall-mounted units start at $500 and go up to $2,000 Ground-mounted (bollard-mounted) units are between $1,500-$3,500 to install.
A permit costs $50 per unit.
It would be best to think about where you’ll place your chargers. To encourage their use, it’s a good idea for them to be placed in central areas of your business.
Think about how and where to advertise your charging station. Also, think about any promotions you might offer your customers charged at your station.
PlugShare, other charging-locating websites, and apps allow you to market your charging station in the EV community.
Workplace Charging
For many EV drivers who can’t charge overnight, workplace charging is an excellent alternative to home charging. With this you can get the answer of how do electric cars charge, you can charge the car in a garage or parking space during the day, ready for use when it gets to work. The many benefits of workplace charging include:
- Workplace charging can be a powerful motivator to motivate employees and help retain top talent. 90% of Challenge partner companies report that their staff is satisfied with the workplace charging program.
- Working place charging is a useful component of corporate sustainability initiatives. Together, the Challenge Partners save 17 million pounds of greenhouse gases and 1.7million gallons of gasoline each year.
- Employers who offer to charge vehicles demonstrate progressive leadership and a willingness for advanced technology. 70% of Challenge partners have received positive third-party recognition for workplace charging efforts. 60% also helped another employer to develop their workplace charger program.
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There are many types of electric vehicle chargers.
There are three levels for EV charging. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Level 3 is split into DC Fast Charge (Tesla Supercharging). The charging level determines the charging speed of an electric charger. Higher levels of Charging mean that the vehicle receives more power. Different EVs can accept different levels from the EVSE, which is the industry term for electric vehicle supply equipment.
The charger first asks the car what power it can supply. After that, the car then requests the maximum power that the station can deliver, and the vehicle will accept.
Level 1 Charging: 120-Volt
- Connectors: J1772, Tesla
- Charging Speed: 3 – 5 Miles Per Hr.
- Locators: Home, Workplace & Public
Level 1 charging can be done with a 120-volt household outlet. On Level 1, any plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle can charge. Plug the charging device into any standard wall outlet. Level 1 is the slowest method to charge an electric vehicle. You will get an additional 3 to 5 miles per hour.
Because they have smaller batteries than PHEVs, Level 1 charging works well. Because EVs have larger batteries, Level 1 charging is slow enough for most daily Charging unless the vehicle isn’t being driven a lot. Level 2 charging is preferred by most BEV owners.
Level 2 Charging: From 208-Volt to 244-Volt
- Connectors: J1772, Tesla
- Charging Speed: 12 – 80 Miles Per Hr
- Locators: Home, Workplace & Public
The Level 2 is the most widely used level for daily charging EV chargers. Type 2 charging equipment is easily installed at home, office, and public spaces, such as shopping malls and railway stations. Level 2 charging ranges between 12 to 80 miles depending on how much power the charger can produce and the maximum charge of the vehicle.
Because it charges the vehicle 10 times faster than Level 1, most BEV owners opt to install Level 2 charging equipment in their homes to get the answer of how do electric cars charge? Level 2 charging means that the vehicle can be charged overnight from any source, even with a low battery.
Level 2 chargers are capable of delivering up to 80 amps. However, this requires a dedicated circuit of 100 amps 208-240V and a long, expensive supply line from the box. The majority of owners will choose a 40-amp charger capable of delivering 9.6 kW to their EV. The 48-amp charger charges slightly faster at 11.5kW but requires heavier wire and must be hardwired to meet the NEC codes. The 48-amp charger is more expensive than the 40-amp model and offers only marginally faster charging.
Level 3 Charging: 400 – Volt to 900 volts (DC Fast charge & Supercharging).
- Connectors: CHAdeMO & Tesla, Combined Charging System (Combo), CHAdeMO & Tesla
- Charging Speed: 3-20 miles per Minute
- Public locations
Level 3 charging, the fastest type available of charging, can recharge an electric vehicle at a speed of between 3 and 20 miles per hour. Type 1 and Type 2, which use alternating current, are incompatible with Type 3. Level 3 charging uses direct electricity (DC). It is not common to see Level 3 chargers installed in homes because the voltage is higher than Level 1 or 2.
DC Fast Chargers are also expensive. The cost of installing the charger, even if you have a 400-volt power service at your home, will most likely exceed the cost of your electric vehicle. Tesla calls its Level 3 chargers Superchargers. Others are known as DC Fast Chargers. Nissan EVs are using CHAdeMO charging system.
Also Read:
- Pros and cons of Electric Vehicles/Cars-You need to know
- Comparison of 15 Best Electric Cars of 2022
- Frequently asked questions about Electric Cars
Electric Car Charging Charges
Cost to install a charger at home
Installing a Level-2 charger at your home will cost you depending on what system you choose, permit fees in your region, and the configuration of the home. You may qualify for incentives to help offset these costs and also get the answer of how do electric cars charge.
Home charging cost
Your electric car’s size and the local price of electricity will affect the cost of your Charging. Electric utilities often offer TOU rates which significantly reduce the cost of electricity. These rates are available during off-peak times. Find out more by contacting your electric utility. Find out how do you easily charge electric cars at home charging that can be for current electric car drivers.
California has an average electricity price of 18 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Although prices vary depending on where you live, this is the average cost. A Nissan LEAF electric car with a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 150-mile range would require a $7 charge to charge fully. Fueling a 25-mpg vehicle with a gasoline price of $3.70/gallon would cost $22 to get enough gas for approximately 150 miles. Driving electric has many benefits, including the ability to save fuel.
Public Charging Fees
Many people charge electric cars at public charging points. You can choose to have them free of charge, pay-as-you-go, or subscription-based. Prices will be set by the networks or property owners. Some automakers may offer a free public charging option, such as Tesla, Nissan, and Hyundai. The industry is shifting towards charging fees based on how many kWh are used rather than the time it takes for the car to charge.
California drivers can pay 30c per kWh for Level 2 charging and 40c per kWh DC fast charging. These rates would mean that a Nissan LEAF with a 150-mile range, 40-kWh battery, and a $16.00 DC fast charger cost around $12.00 to fully charge (from full to empty) using Level 2.
Conclusion:
Everyone thinking of buying a car is thinking about purchasing an electric car. Electric cars tech is always here to guide our customers and readers to know everything they want to know about how do electric cars charge?