Electric mobility and the popularity of passenger electric vehicles have grown rapidly over the past decade and this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
What are three types of EV Charging?
There are three types of charging: Trickle Charge, AC Charge and DC Charge. The slowest method of charging your EV at home, using a standard (three-prong) 220V plug.
Benefits of electric cars
More savings, higher performance and a lower carbon footprint.
First, electric vehicles offer a superior driving experience; Instant torque and smooth maneuverability (thanks to a low center of gravity). And let's be honest, the convenience of billing wherever you park is something you can get used to faster than the average billing session. In addition, EVs require much less maintenance than conventional vehicles.
EV charging is one of the reasons why you should buy an electric car.
Whether you're on the market for your first EV or considering an upgrade, it makes sense for you to compare your options. One of the main differences between owning an electric vehicle and a traditional vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine (ICE) is how you fill your usual tank. Many find that going from putting gas in a tank to charging a battery with electricity is the scariest transition. What if you run away in the middle of nowhere?
The biggest difference between gas and electricity is that when you drive electric, you can charge anywhere.
EV charging locations
It may seem obvious, but with a gasoline-powered vehicle, you can practically only fill your tank at a gas station. With an EV, however, you can charge your vehicle almost anywhere: at home, in the office, in a restaurant, while you shop, parked on the street, or you can fill your car's battery at a gas station (which no longer has a name).
So the decision to get an EV and think about how to bill it goes hand in hand. However, because it works a little differently than what we all know, it can be quite confusing, especially because there are a lot of new definitions that you need to understand.
Charging electric cars explains: why is terminology so complicated?
As a relatively young, fragmented and fast-growing industry, the terms of electric vehicle charging can be said to vary. There are different charging levels, modes, plug types (depending on where you are), different charging streams (AC or DC), wide battery capacity possibilities, expected actual range, empty distance, charging station output power, different charging rates, and a few similar terms. For example, how fast is a quick charge? What is fast charging or super fast charging?
Where to charge an electric car？
Generally speaking, wherever you can park your car is a potential charging location. So, you can imagine the places you can charge your car are as diverse as today’s available electric car models.
As the world is shifting towards electric mobility, the need for a suitable charging infrastructure network has never been more prevalent. As such, governments and cities across the globe are creating legislation and incentifying the placement of charging stations, while more and more businesses are tapping into this new market.
The Three most-popular car charging locations
According to our Mobility Monitor report, where we interviewed thousands of EV drivers (and potential EV drivers) across Europe, these are the five most popular places to charge an electric car:
1. CHARGE AT HOME
This is the easiest way to keep an EV charged, at least provided you have access to a garage with electrical service. All EVs come with basic charging units that allow them to plug into a standard 120-volt wall socket, which is also called “Level 1” charging. Unfortunately, a full charge can take eight hours or more using house current.
A better way to go is to have an electrician install a dedicated 240-volt line in your garage along with a specific “Level 2” charger. It’s not cheap, but the added up-front costs will pay off in terms of much quicker charging times. It takes around four hours to fully replenish an EV’s battery, depending on the model, using Level 2 charging. Many states offer programs to help make installing a home charging station more affordable.
Charging at home is also the cheapest way to keep an EV running. For example, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s fueleconomy.com website, it will cost an owner $0.92 to drive a Chevrolet Bolt EV for 25 miles at average electricity rates. That’s just over an hour’s worth of Level 2 charging, according to the automaker’s specs. (Driving that same 25 miles, by the way, will cost $2.15 in a gas-powered Chevrolet Cruze.)
Many EVs use a smartphone app to let owners schedule charging during certain hours when electricity is cheaper if the local electric company offers discounted off-peak rates.
2. PUBLIC CHARGING
Though still not as prevalent as gasoline pumps, the number of public EV charging stations being installed across the U.S. is expanding rapidly. As of this writing, there’s around 20,000 of them, with many sites having multiple charging units. You’ll find them most prevalent in or near areas having a higher concentration of EVs. They’re typically installed in apartment building and public parking garages, retail parking lots, at new-car dealerships, and even on some urban street corners.
Many public charging stations still offer free charging, while others exact a fee that varies according to the operator. Some charging networks require a membership to access their units. Tesla Motors has established an extensive “Supercharger” network of stations at its dealerships and other locations worldwide that’s exclusively for Tesla EV owners. If you’re taking an EV on any kind of road trip, it’s imperative you plan your route according to where public charging stations are located. EV owners can locate charging stations anywhere in the U.S. via multiple websites, including PlugShare.com, as well as smartphone apps like CarStations.
Public chargers are most commonly set-up for Level 2 charging, which makes them most worthwhile for “topping off” an EV’s battery while shopping, dining, or running errands (especially since some lots restrict parking to just two hours). A better choice is to find a station that affords “Level 3” charging, which is also called DC fast charging. This is the quickest system of all, being able to bring a given EV’s battery up to 80% of its capacity in just 30 minutes.
However, be aware that some Level 3 chargers use different connecting port configurations than others. You may need to use an adaptor to tap into a given unit, if you can use it at all. (Again, Tesla Superchargers can be used only with Tesla vehicles.) Check ahead of time via the aforementioned websites or apps to see if your vehicle is compatible before you head for an unfamiliar charging station.
3. WORKPLACE CHARGING
Some companies have installed electric car chargers in their garages and parking lots for their employees’ use. They’re most typically Level 2 chargers, which is not particularly a disadvantage considering a car can be connected over the course of an eight-hour workday. Workplace charging is still not particularly common, however, though some states now offer an incentive for having on-site stations installed.