When you buy an electric vehicle, it’s a good thing that you don’t have to visit the gas stations often. Charging your EV can be quite a new experience to you, but do you know about the insights of the EV chargers? What are the charging methods, how do these EV chargers work, and how do you find the nearest EV charging station? Well, this article talks about all these things in detail.
What is EV chargers?
With every electric two-wheeler, you’ll get an ev charger, which comes in a box-like structure. For an EV car, you’ll get a charging cable, but you’ll need a charging station, which looks like a small tower-like structure.
These EV chargers, whether for a two wheeler or a car, supply the right amount of power to your vehicle. Based on whether your vehicle supports fast charging or not, the EV chargers can supply high amperes to your vehicle’s battery packs to facilitate fast charging. The only function of EV chargers is to supply the voltage and ampere to the EV.
Also read: On-board Charger (OBC Charger) – What is it and what components can be found on it
What are the benefits of EV chargers?
1.It’s very convenient to get your EV fully loaded up with power, making it ready to hit the road without visiting gas stations frequently.
2.EV chargers allow EV owners to charge their EVs anywhere, provided that they have the right amount of power supply available.
3.Fast EV chargers are even better. They allow quick charging, as most EVs can be charged from 0% to 60% within an hour.
4.If you’ve got an ev charger for home use, you’re eliminating the need to visit the charging stations. That way, you can simply plug in your EV for charging overnight, and it’ll be fully recharged, without affecting your daily work schedule. You don’t have to slow down on your work just because of a drained battery.
What are the different levels of EV chargers?
- Level 1 Charging (120v AC)
This is the most basic type of charging, which works with the residential power outlets. It needs a 120v AC power supply and in return, every hour, it generates power equal to running your vehicle 2 to 5 miles. This is the slowest type of charging, due to very low power input. - Level 2 Charging (240v AC)
This type of charging needs a dedicated charger that works only on 240v AC power supply. Every hour, it can charge your vehicle so it can run about 10 miles to 30 miles. Any level 2 chargers need to be installed at home or charging stations first. - Level 3 DC Fast Charging
To facilitate rapid charging, the concept of DC fast charging came up. There’s no need to convert AC to DC. These types of EV chargers are usually found at the charging stations. For every 30 minutes of charging, your vehicle will be charged enough to run 100 miles.
Also read: AC vs DC – A Complete Guide on What You Need to Know
Comparison Table
Comparison Basis | Level 1 Charging | Level 2 Charging | Level 3 DC Fast Charging |
Power source | 120v AC (plug and play function) | 240v AC (dedicated power source) | DC |
Charging Speed | slow | average | blazing |
Cost | inexpensive | Charging station cost and upfront costs | Expensive installation costs and high charging cost per kWh |
Installation | No installation needed | Most countries require licensed electrician for the installation | Complex installation that demands charging infrastructure. Needs a professional and an installation permit. |
How does EV charging work?
The entire process of EV charging is listed below:
1.First, you need to connect your charger to the EV. Based on what type of EV and charging method you’ve opted for, you might be required to authenticate the charger with your EV from your EV’s mobile app.
2.Once authenticated (if applicable) the power delivery will begin. In some charging setups, there’s an onboard charger involved in the process. The charging station and vehicle’s charging system will communicate automatically.
3.You might be needed to monitor the charging status, which will be shown on your EV charger. Your vehicle shows battery charge status too, but it’s not advisable to keep your vehicle switched on while charging it.
4.Disconnect the charger once you’ve charged the vehicle to the required level.
How much time do I need to charge my EV?
The amount of time that you need to charge your EV depends on your charging method, charger type, and vehicle’s capacity. Ideally:
●Level 1 charging with EV chargers can take anywhere from 8 hours to 20 hours. Time increases if you’re charging a 4-wheeler or a vehicle with a high battery capacity. 2-wheelers usually take 8 hours.
●Level 2 charging takes 4 to 8 hours to completely charge your EV. Again, time depends on your EV’s battery capacity.
●Level 3 charging offers blazing charging speeds, letting you recharge your fully depleted EV to 100% in 30 minutes to 1 hour. However, some manufacturers claim that DC fast charging charges EVs from 0% to 60% in an hour. So it depends on your EV, again!
How are EV charger costs affected?
●Charging level: The charging level that your EV charger supports governs how costly the charger is going to be.
●Output: Based on how many amperes and volts your EV charger gives, its price will be affected.
●Installation complexity: If the charger needs to be installed or has complex installation protocols, then the cost will be high.
Finding the nearest EV charging stations
1.Google: Simply search for “EV charging stations near me” and you’ll be good to go. Google is smart enough to locate all the nearest EV charging stations.
2.EVgo: This is a famous charging station network in the United States. The app will help you locate the nearest EVgo charging stations only.
3.Tesla Supercharger: All the Tesla owners can charge their Teslas at the nearest Tesla charging station using their dedicated charging station finding app.
4.PlugShare: Using this tool, you can find any EV charging station near you. Moreover, you can filter the charging stations based on several parameters that the app supports. PlugShare also features an EV charging station review system, so you can understand if the station you’re picking is good enough for you or not.
Conclusion
So far you saw everything about EV chargers. When it comes to automotive PCB board-related business, one reliable manufacturer you can count on is IBE Electronics, which has accumulated an experienced manufacturing team. So, if you’re looking for an automotive PCB such as a BMS board supplier or a tech expert, then IBE Electronics will be happy to help you out.
1.It’s very convenient to get your EV fully loaded up with power, making it ready to hit the road without visiting gas stations frequently.
2.EV chargers allow EV owners to charge their EVs anywhere, provided that they have the right amount of power supply available.
●Charging level: The charging level that your EV charger supports governs how costly the charger is going to be.
●Output: Based on how many amperes and volts your EV charger gives, its price will be affected.
●Installation complexity: If the charger needs to be installed or has complex installation protocols, then the cost will be high.
1.Google
2.EVgo
3.Tesla Supercharger
4.PlugShare
