There are many ways in which electric vehicles are similar to their gasoline-powered counterparts, including their ability to seat four or more people, travel hundreds of miles without refueling, and provide a high level of safety. We all know that filling up a gas tank takes about five to ten minutes, but we also know that charging an electric vehicle takes far longer and that there are significantly fewer charging stations than the 125,000 public gas stations in the United States. Purchasing, installing, and using the correct electric vehicle charger: the essentials. The more you learn about EVs, the more you’ll see that their unconventional features aren’t necessarily deal breakers. What follows is a comprehensive guide to electric vehicle chargers.
Do you need to buy an electric vehicle charger if you already have one?
Every electric car includes a portable charger. Each manufacturer makes a unit with varied charging power. EVs from the same company may have various standard charging equipment. EV chargers can fully charge your EV overnight. Level 2 chargers require 240-volt outlets. Manufacturer-supplied EV chargers plug into 120-volt domestic outlets and deliver juice slowly. Most plug-in hybrids function with Level 1 chargers. PHEVs have smaller batteries than BEVs. PHEV batteries are 5–20 kilowatt-hours (kWh). Most pure EVs have 60–100 kWh. Is the BEV charger enough? If the conventional charger can fully charge your EV’s battery overnight, it’s probably plenty for your daily needs. If it can, don’t buy a charger. If you buy a Level 2, 240-volt charger, you’ll need a 240-volt outlet in your garage or wherever you charge the car.
Choosing the Right EV Charger
If the charger that came with your EV isn’t enough for your daily charging needs, you’ll need to consider a few criteria to find the right EV charger.
- Cost: Electric car chargers can cost $200–$1,000.
- Plug-in or hardwired: Plug-in chargers let you use them elsewhere or return them for a replacement. Electricians must remove hardwired chargers from the wall.
- Length: EV charger cables are 12–25 feet long. Select one with a wire long enough to reach your car’s charging port wherever you park. Receive 20 feet of cable.
- Smart or Dumb: Smart EV chargers have apps that let owners review charging sessions, observe charging in real time, start and stop charging sessions, schedule charging, set plug-in reminders, and more. Dumb chargers only charge EVs, which some EV owners demand. Dumb chargers shut off when full.
Installing your EV Charger
Installation follows charger selection. Electric vehicle chargers require a separate circuit due to their high power usage. The NEC requires the circuit to deliver 125% of the charger’s power. A 32-amp charger needs a 40-amp circuit (32 x 125% = 40). A 40-amp charger requires a 50-amp circuit. Hardwired devices are wall-mounted and wired directly. Mounting and plugging in a plug-in unit is easy. Plug-in appliances are popular due of their portability. EV charging equipment should always be installed by a skilled electrician, regardless of power level or plugability. Electric vehicle (EV) chargers offer high-current electricity for extended durations, often 24/7. If the job isn’t done right or to code, it could damage your car or home. Not as easy as wiring a basement 15-amp, 120-volt outlet. Finally, consider the charger’s location. Even if you park your EV somewhere, the charging cable must reach its port. Your next EV’s charging outlet may be located differently. Changing electric vehicles shouldn’t need moving the charger. The best position is usually in the centre of your garage. Click here https://www.revcharge.com.au/ to read more.
In the last ten years, electric mobility and the number of people who drive electric cars have grown quickly, and this trend doesn’t look like it will stop. No matter how you measure it—EV sales, EVs on the road, government EV mandates, EVs as a percentage of all vehicle sales, or just vehicle manufacturers making electric mobility promises—clear it’s that the future is electric and the age of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is coming to an end.
