Since there are a lot of electric vehicles in Australia currently, there is a need for many EV charging stations available in public, at work and at home. There has to be a way of serving the increasing demand.
Electric car chargers connect to a charge point; then, they take the electricity from the grid. They then store the electricity in rechargeable batteries, which power them. Electric cars are lighter to drive because they speed up more than vehicles with traditional fuel engines. This article explains what electric chargers are and the levels at which electric cars get charged.
What is an EV Charger?
An EV charger is a device that provides practical and safe transmission of electricity from the local grid on a dedicated circuit to the electric vehicle. In this case, charging occurs when the electric car connects to a power source (charging station). When combined, the vehicle uses its ports and onboard charger to convert the external power into the charge stored in the battery.
Charging Levels
In most cases, drivers are familiar with the different grades of gasoline, which include; regular, plus and premium. When dealing with electric vehicles, you talk about levels, not grades.
These levels describe how quickly the charger will recharge the battery of an EV; the higher the output from the charger, the faster the EV battery charges.
Let’s delve into the levels.
Level 1 – Portable EVSE
This level represents the slowest charger. Level 1 chargers connect directly to a standard 120 volt (V) AC outlet, which supplies an average power output. The power is from 1.3kW to 2.4kW.
This power output equals 3-5 miles of EV range in an hour. An overnight charge adds 30-50 miles, sufficient for many commuters. To charge an empty EV battery until it fully charges takes 24 hours.
Level 2 – Wall Chargers
Level 2 charging equipment can operate at 208-240V. The output ranges from 3kW to 19kW of AC power, which translates to 18-28 miles of range in an hour.
With level 2 chargers, an average EV can take 8 hours or less to charge fully. Some of the level 2 chargers can supply more power than the EV can take. So depending on the charger and the EV combination, results can vary.
Level 3 – DC Fast Chargers
Level 3 chargers are also known as DCFC or fast chargers. They are much more powerful than level 1 and 2 chargers. You will need less time to charge your electric vehicle using level 3 chargers. But, level 3 chargers are not for every vehicle, and some cannot charge at this level. As a car owner, you need to know the capabilities of your vehicle.
Conclusion
That said, there is an undeniable need for electric chargers, which means this is the best time for you to install an electric charger as a homeowner. By 2030, there will be millions of electric vehicles, meaning there will be a need for many EV chargers.
You might be ambitious enough to want to install the charger on your own, and it can be a complicated process. Call an electrician to install your EV chargers that will guarantee you a safe and seamless installation process.