A Guide to Electric Car Charging: How and Where Can I Charge My Electric Vehicle?
June, 2020
Abstract: There are several questions that develop in one’s mind regarding an electric vehicle. And one among them is how do you actually charge an electric car and how often do you need to plug in? Here’s a closer look into the latest trends in electric vehicle charging methods.
The hype for electric cars is the recent buzz all over the world. Many top brands have entered into a rivalry for introducing novel models of electric cars. Be it Jaguar’s Land Rover or Ford’s all-electric SUV, the craze for electric vehicles is on fire. The panorama of all brands vending electric vehicles (EVs) and everyone’s dream to own them seems to be no longer just a dream. Even though these EVs might be relatively pricey, there are government schemes and duty discounts to embolden you to swap your current traditional fuel-powered vehicles with an electric vehicle.
Today, policymakers are announcing subsidies and incentives, such as the revamped FAME 2 rules in India. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the transport industry is the biggest contributor to emissions affecting the global climate. Shifting from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs) signifies an important opportunity to curb emissions.
But where are all those new electric cars going to charge? From public fast-charging to Level 2 home chargers that can deliver more than 100 miles in an overnight charge, there are several options for charging an EV.
Here are some latest trends in EV chargers which are worth reading about if you are planning to buy or already own an EV.
The wave for faster and more efficient chargers
Currently, electric vehicle chargers are becoming faster, more efficient, and affordable. Moreover, the recently launched electric cars that are entering the market possess bigger batteries and longer ranges. Hence, these vehicles need to have faster chargers to provide them with sufficient energy in an overnight charge.
Charging getting affordable!
Affordability is the biggest change in EV home charging. Reduced prices and enhanced flexibility have lured many more troupes to invest into the electric vehicle (EV) charging cable market. In initial days, there were only 3 key producers of electric vehicle (EV) chargers:
1- Aerovironment, a military supplier involved in enhancing chargers from the time when a trend of EVs knocked out the streets in the 1970s and was vended by Nissan dealers.
2- Bosch, a European dealer which manufactured slower, smaller, and more basic chargers for General Motors for the Chevrolet Volt.
3- Clipper Creek, a dealer since 1970s which has continued producing power pedestals for RV parks.
EV chargers on a journey toward advancement
Several top brands, along with some new startups, are coming up with some units that can install fast-charging stations for electric cars such as the Teslas ChargePoint and Electrify
America. These home chargers run on 240-volt electricity and are called as Level 2 chargers. Whereas, Level 1 chargers are
those that have portable cables and run on 110 volts. They can take days to charge the giant batteries present in the newest electric cars. On the other hand, Level 3 chargers are fast chargers, and can also charge long-range EVs in approximately 30 minutes. However, they require dedicated power networks and are very expensive to install. One such example is the Tesla Superchargers.
Where can you find charging stations?
Public charging stations are available in car parking areas, motorway service stations, and also on the streets. Electric vehicles are charged using an EV charging cable whose one end is plugged into the car and other into the grid or a charging unit. Wireless car charging points are also being developed and will soon be available all over the world. Unlike an electric device, with every electric car a charging cable is provided.
Some EVs come with a traditional 3-pin plug that you can use with a domestic power point. This is the most traditional way of charging a car. Also, there’s a Type 2 cable charger which can be plugged into an AC charging socket. This type of charger is usually found at public charge points. If you have a tethered charging point in your home, you can charge your EV with a Type 2 cable at your home itself.
Hence, with standard mechanical fittings and existing electrical connections one can easily install EV charging points in homes or offices.
How frequently does an EV need to be charged?
The need to charge an EV completely depends on your usage. If the vehicle covers miles per journey, it will need to charge more often. The need to charge an EV also depends on its battery capacity and the power rating of the electric charger.
Similar to charging a mobile phone, many EV owners choose to charge their vehicles at home, at night, while they sleep or when the vehicle is not in use. The choices for charging an EV are more versatile, and hence how often you need to charge an EV also depends on the vehicle owner’s way of life.
Author’s Bio: Aishwarya Korgaonkar holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from the esteemed Mumbai University. Being creative and artistic, she leaped into the field of digital marketing and content writing. Her love for words makes her write creative and spellbinding content that adds colors to the world. She is keen about writing articles across different verticals and is always eager to work on challenging topics.
