If you’ve just bought an electric vehicle (EV) or are thinking of doing so, you’ll need to know how to charge it up. This quick guide will tell you everything you need to know about electric car charging, from the available methods to the costs involved.
We’ll also look at the different types of connector points and explain what each one is used for. So whether you’re wondering how to charge your electric car at home, or want to know more about fast charging on the move, read on for all the information you need!
Two Options for Charging
There are two options when it comes to charging EV batteries:
- You can charge at home using your regular domestic power supply.
- You can use public charging points to charge your car while you’re out and about.
Home Charging
The majority of electric vehicle owners charge their cars at home, using a standard domestic power socket. This is the most convenient way to charge, as you can leave your car plugged in overnight and wake up to a full battery in the morning.
However, home charging is not always possible – for example, if you live in an apartment block without access to a private parking space. In this case, you’ll need to use public charging points.
Public Charging
There are two types of public electric vehicle charging points:
- Slow charging points – these take between six and eight hours to charge an electric car. They’re usually free to use and can be found in car parks, supermarkets, and on-street parking spaces.
- Fast charging points – these can charge an electric vehicle in around 30 minutes to an hour. They’re usually located at motorway service stations, and you’ll need to pay to use them.
Types of EV Charging
There are four types of EV charging methods:
- Trickle charging: In trickle charging, you can charge your electric car from a standard 3-pin plug. It provides 3 kilowatts of power. Trickle charging is slower than a standard home charge point and provides up to 15 miles of range per hour.
- Slow charging: Slow charging is slightly faster than trickle charging, providing up to 22 kilowatts of power. This type of charging has a power rating of up to 7kW, which provides 15 to 30 miles of range per hour.
- Fast chargers: Public and workplace charging points range from 7kW to 22kW. Depending on the vehicle type and the battery’s size, fast chargers can charge an electric car in two to four hours.
- Rapid chargers: Rapid chargers are the fastest type of electric vehicle charger, providing 43 to 50 kilowatts of power. They can charge an electric car in around 30 minutes to an hour.
Charging At Home
You’ll need to install a home charge point if you’re charging your electric car at home. The type of charge point you’ll need will depend on the type of property you live in:
- For houses, a standard three-pin socket can be used to trickle charge an electric car. If you want to charge your car faster, you’ll need to install a dedicated home charger.
- You’ll need to install a dedicated home charger for flats and apartments, as electric car charging from a three-pin socket is not allowed.
Charging at Work
Many workplaces now have electric vehicle charging points, so you can charge your car while you’re at work. The type of charger and the power rating will be the same as for public chargers.
Some businesses install charging points that are free and open for anyone to use, while others require employees to pay to charge their electric cars. Either way, checking with your employer before using a workplace charger is a good idea.
AC Vs. DC Charging Explained
Electric cars can be charged using either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Most public and home chargers use AC, while rapid chargers use DC.
AC charging is the slower type of electric vehicle charging, as it takes longer to charge the battery pack. AC charging is the most common type of electric vehicle charging, as it’s cheaper and more widely available than DC charging.
DC charging is faster than AC charging but is more expensive and not as widely available. DC chargers are usually only found at motorway service stations.
Connector Types
There are four types of connector types:
- UK Three-pin: The standard three-pin connector is the most common type of electric vehicle charger in the UK. It’s used for trickle charging and slow charging electric cars.
- Type-one connector: The type-one connector is used for fast and rapid charging electric cars. It’s the most common type of charger found at public charge points.
- Type-two connector: The type-two connector is used for fast and rapid charging electric cars. It’s the most common type of charger found at home and workplace charge points.
- CHAdeMO connector: The CHAdeMO connector is used for rapid charging electric cars. It’s not as common as the other types of connectors but can be found at some public charge points.
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Contact us today to learn more about how the Datamyte Digital Clipboard can help improve your electric vehicle manufacturing process. We’ll be happy to show you how our software can streamline your workflow and help you make better electric vehicles.
Conclusion
Electric vehicle charging is a complex topic, but this guide should have given you a good understanding of the basics. If you want to learn more about electric vehicle charging, do more research to find the information you need.
And for EV manufacturing companies, if you’re looking for a way to improve your electric vehicle manufacturing process, contact DATAMYTE today. We can show you how our electric vehicle data collection software can help you improve your workflow and make better electric vehicles.
