Electric vehicles (EVs) make driving cleaner and better for the planet. Over the past few years, millions of people have switched to electric vehicles to reduce smog and gasoline costs. With more and more people buying electric cars, it is more important than ever to charge them quickly.
The rise of the electric car market depends on where to charge them. These locations also give people who own electric cars more confidence to make the switch to electric vehicles. This article will explain what electric car charging stations are, how they work, and the different types of chargers (AC and DC).
What is an electric vehicle charger?
There are now more and more places to charge electric vehicles (EVs) in homes, parking lots, and gas stations. It’s all about making the world a better place. Because the UK government will no longer allow people to buy new petrol or diesel cars after 2030, you could be driving an electric car sooner than you think. Power is supplied to an electric car when the electric car charger is plugged into a wall or the power grid. It’s like plugging your cell phone into the wall to charge it.
New regulations introduced by the UK government in 2022 require charging points for charging private cars to be innovative. This means they must be able to send and receive messages and have screens or interchangeable user interfaces. It is against the rules for anyone or any business to sell, give away, rent, loan, lease, or market a charging post.
How to Use Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) charges the batteries of electric vehicles. Let’s break them down to better understand them:
Power: The place where you charge your EV is like a gas station for your EV. While a gas station needs gas, an EV store needs power. Most of the power comes from the mains, which is your home’s power supply. That’s what it takes to set up a long wire to charge your car.
Conversion: Grid energy is like the power source for TVs and telephones. Alternating current (AC) stands for varying electric current. Most electric cars require direct current to charge their batteries. An electric car charger has a transformer that converts AC power to DC power for the car’s battery.
Electric car charging stations primarily take power from the grid, like a plug in your home, and convert it into a form that the car battery can use.
Different types of charging stations
There are different types of charging stations on the market, each with different charging speeds, which can also be used for other purposes:
Level 1 Charging (240V AC): The most convenient chargers plug into a 240V AC outlet in your home. Because of the slower charging speed, you can leave them charging overnight at home. But you can’t use them on your cell phone during fast charging.1 Level 1 charging stations provide up to 3.5 kilowatts of power for 4-wheelers, 3-wheelers and 2-wheelers.
Level 2 charging (380-400 volts AC): Level 2 chargers are better than Level 1 chargers. They are available in homes, businesses, and public charging points. 2-stage chargers charge quickly and are great for everyday use. 2-stage electric vehicle charging stations can charge four-wheeled, three-wheeled, or two-wheeled vehicles at 22 kW.
Level 3 Charging (DC Fast Charging): A direct current (DC) fast charger delivers electricity directly to the car battery without any changes in the car. DC fast chargers are suitable for long journeys and fast charging, as they provide a large amount of energy quickly and can charge an electric car up to 80%. The fast charging station is only available for four-wheeled vehicles and can deliver up to 400 kW of power.
Find out how electric vehicles are charged
The charging process begins by placing the car on the EV charger at the charging station. This is how it usually works:
- VERIFICATION: Many charging stations require you to present an actual card, an app on your phone, or a wireless payment method (such as a static wallet) to prove your identity. This ensures that only the right people are using the charging port, keeping it safe.
- Information Sharing: The EV charger talks to the EV and sets charging parameters such as speed, power, and current. This ensures safe and convenient charging.
- Charging: The charging station charges the EV battery by providing the correct amount of power and current. The battery stores the charge for later use. The charging station’s screen or phone app will usually tell you how much power is left.
- AUTO-CUT: The EV charger stops charging as soon as the battery reaches a certain level, or the user can set the level at which charging stops. Chargers have safety measures in place to prevent overcharging and spontaneous combustion.
How long does it take to fully charge an EV battery?
How long it takes to charge an EV depends on the size of the battery, the charge rate, and the amount of charge. A 7 kW charging point can fully charge a 60 kWh electric vehicle in 8 hours. It can be fully charged in 12 hours or 30 minutes.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
Costs vary depending on the location and type of charger you use. At 28p/kWh, it costs between £6 and £15 to fully charge an electric car at home. There are free and chargeable charges in public places. However, it is generally possible to charge an electric car in the workplace.
People need to be aware of the different ways of charging a car and the cost of each to make an informed decision and fully understand the financial benefits of switching to an electric car. Therefore, here are a few things people should consider when wondering how much it usually costs to charge an electric car.
Conclusion
Many people who purchase an electric vehicle will need a place to charge it. Whether it’s at home, at work, or on the road, charging an electric car battery is quick and easy. As technology advances, electric car charging systems are likely to become faster, more flexible, and easier to use.