When it comes to electric vehicles, the hot topics are usually the hottest EV models, price points and the lack of charging infrastructure to cater to this new market. Here we are attempting to address some FAQs about EV chargers for you to analyse and decide what type of charger and set up is best for you or your business premises.
Whether it is a residential or commercial set up, you will need to assess what kind of EV charger is the best for installation – considering if you want it tethered or untethered, power capacity, cable type, potential government grants that you can apply for, and the list doesn’t stop!
Read on for more information before you choose the EV charger that best suit your needs.
Defining EV Chargers
An EV charger is an electrical cord that is used to transfer power from the electric source to an electric car or vehicle. Some EV chargers will pull small energy volts, such as a Level 1; 120-volt charger, that directly plugs into a traditional outlet at home.
There are bigger energy-pulling EV chargers, such as a Level 3 charger, that can power the EV battery in minutes instead of hours. Depending on the battery capacity and vehicle type, the requirements will vary on the ideal type of charger to be installed.
Benefits of EV Chargers
Highest Cost Savings, Excellent Performance, and Lesser Carbon Footprint
EVs have several benefits over traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. First, in the long run, EVs save costs as they have lower operating costs and require less maintenance than ICE vehicles. Second, EVs contribute to the reduction of carbon footprint as they emit zero tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution and improves overall air quality. Third, EVs offer a superior driving experience; with smooth handling and instant torque.
Tethered EV Chargers
A tethered EV charger comes with an integrated charging cable. Simply put, the cable is permanently attached to a wallbox, hence you would not need to carry a cable when you travel.
An untethered EV charger, however, requires you to bring your own charging cable to be plugged into the charging unit, which offers better flexibility for you to choose the type of cable and plug that works best with your EV.
Locations of EV Chargers
It can sound obvious, but if you have an ICE vehicle, you can only fill up the tank at a gas station. On the other hand, with an EV, you can charge the vehicle almost everywhere: at home, office, at a restaurant, while you do other things.
The decision of buying an EV and thinking about how you can charge it go together. However, since it works quite differently compared to what everyone is familiar with, it can get a bit confusing. This is especially the case when there are a lot of new definitions you should know about.
How long does it take to charge an EV?
The duration it takes to charge an electric car will depend on the size of the car battery and which type of EV chargers you are using. Most home and public chargers are Level 2, while a DC fast charger can be found at designated public locations. A 240-volt charger (Level 2) charges faster compared to a wall outlet.
The DC fast charging stations are a lot more powerful, which provides up to 480 volts of power and reduces charging times to less than one hour. Within 15 minutes, you can add a 300km range at any Supercharger station.
Do EVs charge while you drive?
An interesting fact about EVs is that they have regenerative braking, which conserves energy as you drive. As you slow down or hit the brakes on an ICE vehicle, you are wasting energy that has been produced by your engine. Regenerative brakes can recycle the kinetic energy and use that to recharge the battery thus, EVs do charge minimally while you are driving them.
However, the charge rate is rather minimal therefore, we would suggest that EVs do not charge while on the move. Regenerative braking has more efficiency, but it does not add new energy to your battery. You would still need to plug the EV into a charging port.
Is it easy to find EV Chargers in public spaces?
A quick search will show you many apps and websites that are mainly used for finding public EV charging stations. Your EV can potentially come with an app or even a built-in navigation system with GPS to look for nearby charging stations.
Do EVs lose charge when the weather is cold?
Both overheating and the cold weather can adversely affect the health of EVs. According to a study, EVs lose about 12-41% of its range when the weather is cold. However, all cars be it EVs or ICE cars, would generally have lower performance in cold weather, so it is likely that your car uses more energy on colder days.
Are the same charging adapters used for all EVs?
When you check out different connectors that are available for Level 2 and Level 3 chargers, not all EVs use the same type of charger heads, while at the same time, there is no single universal type that is being used around the world. Instead, there are some adapters that are sold in the market enables you to charge your EV using different chargers.
Is it necessary to install EV Chargers at your home?
The answer is yes, having your own home charging station is very practical and it keeps your battery topped up. Keeping note that aside from the cost of the charger, you will also need to consider the installation fee because you will likely need an electrician to install an outlet with 240-volts.
If you are planning to own an EV, we highly suggest you make a list of pros and cons for better decision-making. Ideally, purchasing an EV is an investment that will benefit your bank account and the environment in the long run.
