With the increase in battery range and expansion in the charging infrastructure, and automakers launching a more significant number of car and light truck models, electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity in the United States and worldwide. According to the International Energy Association, the number of new electric vehicle registrations nearly doubled in 2018 compared to the previous year, with China leading the way, followed by Europe, and finally, the United States. China, in particular, is pursuing an aggressive EV manufacturing strategy, producing 1.2 million EVs in 2019, compared to 325,000 in the United States.
One of the primary concerns most people may have before purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) is the ability to charge their automobiles. The lack of widespread charging infrastructure in our major cities, as well as worries about a particular EV’s battery range and battery cost, have proven to be significant barriers for consumers here.
Is it necessary to install charging infrastructure before purchasing an electric vehicle, or is it the other way around? To help you out, this post has listed down five things that you should know about EV vehicle charging.
Choose the Right Type of Plugs
Have you recently purchased or are planning to buy an electric vehicle (EV)? If that’s the case, you may have already started looking for a home EV charger with this technology. You may have come across various plug kinds during this procedure. When it comes down to it, the type of plug you use has minimal bearing on your electric vehicle charging experience. Always get modern, strong plugs such as the NEMA 6-50, which will allow you to charge your electric vehicle at home considerably faster than with a regular 120-volt outlet.
If you drive a high-performance electric car, hardwiring your gadget rather than plugging it in may be a better option. Consult a skilled electrician to ensure that your home’s electrical supply is sufficient for charging an electric vehicle with the appropriate plug.
Know When You Need to Charge Your EV
There’s no need to wait until your battery is completely dead before starting your automobile! Because modern lithium-ion accumulators are not affected by the memory effect, they do not require a full charge-discharge cycle regularly. If you travel a few hundred kilometers per day, charging your car overnight every two or three days (take advantage of off-peak pricing) should be sufficient. However, to get the most out of a plug-in hybrid vehicle’s 100 percent electric driving mode, it’s essential to plug it in as often as possible.
Time Needed to Charge EV
The charging time for an EV is mainly determined by the vehicle’s battery capacity and charging power. For example, a domestic outlet may take approximately 7 hours, while charging stations may take at least 45 minutes to charge 100 kilometers of range. Certain electric vehicles provide a charging time simulator to help you anticipate how long it will take to charge your car based on the type of vehicle and the terminal’s charging power.
The Right Level of Public Charging Stations Is Must
First and foremost, level 1 charging outlets should be avoided. They’re too slow and aren’t designed to meet the needs of EV drivers on the road. If you want to charge your electric vehicle as quickly as possible, select a level 3 charger. These charging stations will provide your EV with a lot of range in a short amount of time. Charging from a DCFC station, on the other hand, is only effective if your battery’s state-of-charge (SOC) is less than 80%.
After that, charging will become noticeably slower. As a result, once you’ve reached 80% charge, you should put your car into a level 2 charger because the last 20% of charging is just as fast with a level 2 station as it is with a level 3, but it’s a lot cheaper. Alternatively, you can continue on your journey and charge your EV to 80% at the next level 3 charger you come across along the way. If time is not an issue and you expect to spend several hours at a charger, choose a level 2 charger, which is slower but less expensive.
Charging an Electric Car at Work
Charging at work is pretty much similar to charging at home. It is a benefit that an employer provides to their employees. During the day, employees have access to parking spaces with level 2 or level 1 charging stations. Depending on your habits, charging at work may be sufficient for the entire trip. When combined with home charging, workplace charging can quadruple your daily electric range.
This is especially appealing for plug-in hybrids, as the electric motor may be used for longer distances, saving money on petrol. In addition, level 2 charging allows you to charge your phone faster, which is very useful for part-time workers or companies where staff are not present for the full day. The company frequently covers the costs of charging at work, allowing employees to charge for free at work. The company may charge a fee to use the charger in other circumstances, but it is usually less expensive than a public charger.
Final takeaway
From the start, the electric vehicle industry has been plagued by two words: range anxiety. This scenario of drivers being stranded on a busy highway with a low battery and no way to recharge is frustrating. But once you get proper knowledge about charging your EV from the above-mentioned points, your journey should be smooth.
