Type of Electric Vehicle chargers
Charging an electric car is a simple process: you simply plug your car into a charger that is connected to a power source. not all EV charging stations (also known as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment or EVSE) are created equal. Some can be installed by simply plugging into a standard wall outlet, While others require custom installation. The time it takes to charge your car will also vary depending on the type of charger you use.
EV chargers generally fall into one of three main categories. Rapid chargers, fast chargers and slow chargers. Note that these represent the power output And hence the charging speed, it is possible to charge an EV. Each charger version has an associated set of connectors designed for low- or high-power use and AC or DC charging. There are 3 charging points, and a variety of connectors.
Here’s your best guide to the types of electric car chargers and roughly how much it costs to charge your EV.
Rapid chargers
These are the fastest chargers for any EV, usually located close to the main roads in the country. The devices provide high power direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) to recharge the car as quickly as possible.
Depending on the model and brand, EVs can be recharged up to 80% in under 20 minutes, although an average modern EV will take about an hour at a standard 50 kW rapid charge point. First, the car charges at normal speed, However, as the battery gets closer to full charge, the car will slow down the charging speed. As such, the conditions are quoted at a charge of 80%, after which the charging speed drops significantly. And it increases the charging efficiency, and helps to protect the battery. These rapid chargers can only be used with vehicles with rapid-charging capability.
Types-
This is the most common charger. Provides power at 50 kW (125A). Connectors typically charge an EV to 80% in 20 minutes to an hour, depending on battery capacity and initial state of charge.
Ultra Rapid DC: It provides 100 kW or more of power. These are mostly either 100 kW, 150 kW, or 350 kW – although other maximum speeds between these figures are possible. According to Zap-Map, this is the next generation rapid charger point that is capable of reducing the charging time even when the battery capacity is increased in the new electric vehicle.
Fast chargers
These are Type-2 AC chargers. The fast charger is rated at 7 kW or 22 kW (single- or three-phase 32A). Charging time varies depending on the range of the unit and vehicle, but a 7 kW charger will recharge a compatible EV with a 40 kWh battery in 4-6 hrs and a 22 kW charger in 1-2 hrs. Fast chargers are commonly found in places such as car parks, shops, supermarkets, or leisure centers where you are likely to be left standing for an hour or more.
Therefore untethered units are more flexible and can be used by any EV with the right cables. Charging rates when using a fast charger will depend on the car’s on-board charger, with not all models capable of accepting 7 kW or more. These models can still be plugged into the charge point, but will only draw the maximum power allowed by the on-board charger.
Almost all EVs and PHEVs can charge on a Type 2 unit, at least with the right cables. This is by far the most common public charge point standard, and most plug-in car owners will have a cable with a Type 2 connector charger-side. Most fast chargers offer AC charging, although some networks are installing 25 kW DC chargers with CCS or CHAdeMO connectors.
Slow charger
These are the most commonly available chargers in the market. The power output is 3 kW – 6 kW and the car will be charged between 8-12 hours. You have to leave your car overnight for it to be fully charged.
What are Tesla Superchargers?
One of the big selling points for Tesla electric vehicles is the availability of their Supercharger around the world. These super-fast charging stations can charge a Tesla battery for between 162 and 200 miles in just 15 minutes, depending on which model you drive.
However, Tesla Superchargers are currently available in the U.S. are specifically designed and available for Tesla vehicles in the U.S. (Tesla is testing a program in some European countries to offer increased prices for non-Tesla to charge on superchargers). Therefore, if you have a non-Tesla EV, you cannot charge your vehicle at Supercharger stations.
Charging a variety of EVs, including the Nissan Leaf, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Tesla
Not all electric car batteries are created equal. The type of electric vehicle you buy will affect the time it takes to charge your car’s battery and its cost.
charging nissan leaf; The Nissan Leaf is one of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market today, with a range of 149 to 226 miles. The cost to “fill” a Nissan Leaf battery ranges from about $6.93 to $10.56, depending on which model Leaf you own.
Charging Ford Mustang Mach-E; The Ford Mustang Mach-E is one of the new mainstream EVs to hit the market. To charge the Mach-e, it will cost around $11.99 to $14.96, depending on which model you own. A Mach-e will deliver a range of about 224 to 270 miles on a full charge, depending on the model.
Charging the Tesla EV; Tesla offers a few EV models and performance levels, including its Model 3, S, X and Y. The cost of charging and the time it takes to fully charge your Tesla battery depends on which specific Tesla you own. It costs an average of $13.96 to charge a Tesla One. And depending on the car model, it costs between $9.62 to $18.30. In general, the cost of charging a Tesla is 3.6 times cheaper than the cost of refuelling a gas-powered car (4.56 cents per mile compared to about 16.66 cents per mile for gas vehicles).
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The 5 cheapest electric cars you can buy in 2022
FAQ
What is a Type 1 Charging Station?
Type 1 is a single phase plug and is the standard for electric vehicles in the Americas and Asia. It allows you to charge your car at speeds up to 7.4 kW, depending on your car’s charging power and grid capacity.
Does fast charging damage electric car batteries?
Effects of frequent fast charging. An electric car’s ability to accept high charge currents is affected by battery chemistry. The accepted wisdom in the industry is that faster charging will increase the rate at which an EV’s battery capacity will decrease.
