North Shore Electrician Explains How EV Chargers Work
Lately, there has been a buzz coming out of the car industry concerning electric cars. So many Automakers have introduced new EVs, and more have announced plans to do so. Several car companies are targeting that half or more of the vehicles they will be selling come 2030 will be electric.
As an EV owner, you already know how smooth, quiet and reliable electric vehicles are. Not having to stop at a gas station is such an exciting fact about these vehicles, which, among other reasons, is drawing more and more people to buy EVs.
Recharging electric vehicles takes time, and you would not want to have those lengthy sessions at the public station. You might want to consider having a home EV charging station. Before then, there are a few facts that you need to know about EV chargers.
What is an EV Charger?
An electric vehicle charging station is an electronic device that facilitates the efficient transmission of electricity. This electricity gets transmitted from the local grid on a circuit dedicated to the electronic vehicle.
Electricity travelling through the charger and the charging cable has a way of improving safety by facilitating the two-way communication that takes place between the charging station and the EV. It then waits to send power to the vehicle until there is a connection.
Charging Levels
There are three levels of EV chargers, as illustrated below.
Level 1 - Portable EVSE
Level 1 charging station is the simplest of them all. This is the charging cable that comes with the purchase of an EV. Level 1 chargers use a fundamental house electric current, 110-120 volt AC.
Many of these chargers plug into a standard grounded wall socket and use a three-prong plug. This charger is very appealing because of its low cost and charges. However, it takes a long time. While recharging an EV using a level1 charger, you should know that four to six hours of battery range go for 1 hour of charging.
Level 2 - Wall Chargers
Level 2 units work with 240-volt circuits. These are the same volts used in electric clothes dryers and the common commercial EV charging station type.
A level 2 charger will require eight to ten hours to charge a vehicle fully. Level 2 chargers are the best for electric car buyers because it takes about a quarter the time it might take you to charge the car using a level 1 charger.
Level 3 - DC Fast Chargers
Level 3 is the third type of electric vehicle charger. Primarily it is commercial. Those who need to make a quick stop before returning to the road benefit highly from level 3 chargers. Level 3 chargers enable DC fast charging, which is why it provides much quicker charging.
Several newest electric vehicle models have 400-volt and 800-volt charging architecture, which may allow high-power batteries to replenish from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in less than 20 minutes.
Conclusion
With the rising demand for electric vehicle chargers, you can choose to have your EV charger for your convenience or have it in one of your commercial homes for motorists to use at a fee. These charging points are available close by, and you do not need to worry about doing it alone. Get a qualified electrician to install it professionally for safety purposes.