EV Charging - How EV Chargers Work

For the longest time, we’ve fueled our cars with gasoline. There have been a few variants to choose from, such as regular, mid-grade or premium-grade gasoline. It has always been either gasoline or diesel.

The process of refuelling has been straightforward, and it has always taken about five minutes depending on your tank capacity. But that has not been the same with electric vehicles.

This article will help you understand EV chargers and the levels at which vehicles get charged.

What are EV Chargers

EV chargers are also known as electric vehicle charging stations. They are equipment that connects electric vehicles to a source of electricity. EV chargers recharge electric cars, and stationed electric EV chargers are different. Some have advanced features like smart metering, cellular capability and network connectivity, and others are more basic.

You can also refer to EV chargers as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). You can find these chargers in municipal parking locations provided by electric utility companies. They are also available at retail shopping centres managed by private companies. 

Charging Levels

The process of recharging electric vehicles has not been as quick as that of fueling cars. There have been several reasons for that, which include;

• * Every electric vehicle take in different amounts of power

• * There are different types of connectors used in charging

There are different levels of EV Charging, which determines the amount of time it takes to charge an EV.

Level 1 – Portable EVSE

This charger is a run of mill 120–volt outlet. You can have it at your home or at the garage. All the new electric vehicles can plug into the wall outlets. Most of the PHEVs can recharge throughout the night using one.

For an electrical vehicle level, one charging is not the best solution. Level 1 charging charges the battery at 2-5 miles every hour, with the range of wall sockets supplying 3 to 6Kw of electricity.

Level 2 – Wall Chargers

These are the most common chargers, and you can find them in public charging stations. Level 2 chargers are the best for home installation for people with an EV. While using a 240-volt outlet, different charging times depend on kW. Again, note that level 2 is far more advantageous than the wall outlet.

With level 2 chargers, EVs and PHEVs absorb 24 miles of range on the lower side per hour, and PHEVs can recharge in a few hours compared to an EV which needs 12 hours.

Level 3 - DC Fast Chargers

In level 3, you will find DC fast and rapid chargers. With level 3 chargers, you can recharge an EV to 80 percent within an hour. These kinds of chargers are helpful for highways or bustling areas. Connectors used in this level are a combined charging system (combo), and the speed here is 3 to 20 miles per minute. 

Conclusion

Above 95% of the electric car, charging happens at home. For you to be able to charge your electronic vehicle at home, it is essential to make the right choices while purchasing and installing. Many manufacturers have designed different charging systems, and you may not know enough to pick the safest and most reliable charger. You can call a qualified electrician to help install your EV charging station at the best rates.