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Guide To Electric Vehicle Charging
Jun 26, 2023
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Your Guide to Electric Vehicle Charging: Which Charger to Choose?
Are you considering buying an electric vehicle (EV) but still trying to learn more about EV chargers and how they can enhance your EV driving experience?
Our industry experts and system engineers have contributed to comprehending some essential guidance to help you understand the basics of EV charging.
What is an electric vehicle charger?
An electric car charger is a combination of software and hardware that is used to recharge an electric vehicle’s battery. The charger transforms AC into DC electricity, which is subsequently stored in the vehicle’s battery, using an external power source. The speed of charging, the charging protocol implemented, and the type of outlet are a few important factors to be considered when it comes to the performance and safety of the charger.
How do I choose the right charger for my car?
Although you get a level 1 charger when you purchase your electric car that is often slow and can’t provide you quick turnaround time for charging. A few manufacturers also offer a level 2 fast charger as an optional accessory or just bundle it with your car purchase. However, most of the time, we tend to buy a level 2 fast charger on our own and get it to fit in our garage or parking space. So, the question now is – How do I choose the right charger for my car if I haven’t got one from the manufacturer?
Finding the right charger for your electric vehicle can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The first thing to consider is whether you need an EV fast charger (level 3 DC fast charging) or a standard level 2 charger. If you have long commutes or frequent road trips, an EV fast charger is likely the best option for you. These chargers can fully charge your vehicle in 30 minutes to an hour, making them ideal for quick stops during your travels. However, the catch here is that the vehicle should also support level 3 DC fast charging. If the vehicle manufacturer has AMP’s technology (EVCC or FCJB) embedded in the vehicle, then it automatically supports DCFC (Direct Current Fast Charge).
On the other hand, if you mainly use your electric vehicle for short trips around town, a standard level 2 charger may be sufficient. These chargers typically take 4-8 hours to fully charge your vehicle, which can easily be done overnight while you sleep.
NOTE: It is crucial to check what charger to purchase with your vehicle manufacturer. Only the ones approved by your vehicle manufacturer should be used to charge it.
Another factor to consider is the compatibility of the charger with your car’s charging port. Some EV fast chargers are only compatible with certain vehicles, so be sure to check that the charger you’re interested in will work with your car before making a purchase.
Additionally, it’s important to consider the charging power of the charger you’re considering. Some EV fast chargers can provide up to 350 kW of power, while others may only provide 50 kW. The higher the power, the faster your car will charge.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the cost of the charger. EV fast chargers tend to be more expensive than standard level 2 chargers, but they can also provide more convenience and flexibility for your charging needs
What are different types of chargers?
When it comes to charging your electric vehicle, there are a variety of options available. The two main types of chargers are standard EV chargers and fast chargers.
A standard EV charger is also known as a Level 2 charger, and it provides charging at a rate of 240 volts. This type of charger is mostly found in homes, businesses, and public charging stations. A standard EV charger can charge your car in 4-8 hours, depending on the size of your battery.
On the other hand, an EV fast charger provides a much quicker charge. Fast chargers can charge your car up to 80% in just 30 minutes, making them ideal for on-the-go charging. However, fast chargers are much more expensive than standard EV chargers, and they require a much larger power source. Fast chargers are typically found at dedicated charging stations, rather than in homes or businesses.
How do I charge my car at home?
Charging your electric vehicle at home is a convenient way to make sure you have enough charge for your daily driving needs. You’ll need an EV car charger that is compatible with your vehicle and can handle the power requirements of charging your car.
Once you have your EV car charger installed, it’s as simple as plugging in your car. Some chargers may also have additional features, such as scheduling charging times to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates.
It’s important to remember that charging times can vary depending on the capacity of your car’s battery and the speed of your charger. A level 1 charger may take up to 20 hours to fully charge a battery, while a level 2 charger can do it in as little as 4 hours. Make sure to check your vehicle’s manual to understand the charging capacity and time required.
How do I charge my car on the go?
One of the biggest advantages of electric cars is that they can be charged on the go. Charging your car while you’re out and about can give you the freedom to take longer trips without worrying about running out of battery power. Here are a few options for charging your car while on the go:
Public charging stations –
Public charging stations can be found in many areas, including parking garages, shopping malls, and rest stops. These chargers are usually Level 2 chargers, which means they can charge your car faster than a standard household outlet. You can find these chargers using apps or websites such as PlugShare or ChargePoint.
DC fast chargers –
DC fast chargers are the quickest way to charge your car on the go. These chargers can charge your car to 80% in as little as 20 minutes, making them ideal for long trips. DC fast chargers can be found at some public charging stations or along major highways and are often located near restaurants or other amenities.
If you have a Tesla, you can use their Supercharger network, which offers the fastest charging speeds available. These chargers can add up to 200 miles of range in as little as 15 minutes. Tesla Superchargers can be found along major highways and at some Tesla showrooms.
What are the benefits of owning an electric vehicle?
There are several benefits associated with electric vehicles, ranging from financial savings to environmental advantages.
Firstly, charging your electric vehicle at home is considerably cheaper than filling it up with petrol or diesel at a fuel station. Electricity is generally less expensive than petrol and diesel, which can help you save money on fuel costs over the long term.
In addition to the financial benefits, electric vehicle charging is also much better for the environment than traditional fossil fuels. Charging an electric car produces no harmful emissions, which is particularly beneficial in urban environments where air pollution is a major concern. By opting to drive an electric vehicle and charging it regularly, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and help in combating climate change.
Another benefit of electric vehicle charging is the convenience it offers. Charging your car at home means you don’t need to worry about making trips to a petrol station to fill up your tank. Instead, you can simply plug your car in overnight and wake up to a fully charged vehicle.
Finally, there are also several government incentives and subsidies available to electric vehicle owners, such as tax breaks and reduced road taxes. These incentives can help offset the higher purchase price of an electric vehicle and make it more affordable for more people to switch to electric driving.
Overall, electric vehicle charging offers a range of benefits for both drivers and the environment. By choosing to drive an electric vehicle and regularly charging it, you can save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy the convenience of electric driving.
Conclusion
The advantages of using an EV are enormous. Till today, people have dilemmas when it comes to the safety of electric vehicle charging. Through this blog, we at AMP want to make everyone aware of the right approach one should take before choosing an electric vehicle charger. To resonate with our mission of bringing sustainability closer by building an energy continuum, it is crucial that the end users are informed of the technology and innovation we are bringing to the industry to fast pace this adoption towards a greener future.
ABOUT AMP
With its perfect blend of software and hardware, AMP is revolutionizing electrification. Headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Detroit, Bengaluru, and Shanghai, AMP is a global leader in energy management solutions for e-mobility. Since 2017, AMP has advanced battery management technology, through industry-leading software and hardware. AMP continues to push mobility further from intelligent battery management platforms to robust fast-charging systems and complete cloud solutions for e-mobility.
To learn more, visit AMP at www.amp.tech and follow on LinkedIn@amp-energy-management.
