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On the surface, the question of how EV charging works has a pretty simple answer: you open the charge port on your car and plug the charging connector in. In actuality, there is a whole production going on behind the scenes that sends energy as possible from the charger into your car as quickly and efficiently as possible. But first, let''s hit the basics.
If you''ve never had to plug an electric car in before, doing so for the first time can be a little confusing or even intimidating because you''re dealing with potentially lethal amounts of electricity. The good thing is that EV charging is totally safe, even in the rain, unless you''re dealing with severely damaged equipment.
The first step in charging your EV is figuring out where you will charge your car. The steps are mostly the same whether you''re using a public charging station or the charger that came with your car that plugs into your wall. Public charging can have a few extra choices you need to consider.
Next, you need to know what kind of charging port your car has. This is less complicated than it sounds. If you have a Tesla, you can go to a Tesla charging station and plug right in. If you have another brand of EV, you likely have what''s called a J1772 port, which is broadly standard across US EVs.
If you''re using a DC fast charger, you will probably use the Combined Charging System (CCS) connector. Some Japanese manufacturers like Nissan and Mitsubishi use what''s called the CHAdeMO connector, but it''s pretty easy to see the difference when you look at the plug.
Once you know which plug you have, you need to know where your charge door is on your vehicle so you can park in a way that offers the easiest reach to the charger. Now that you''re parked, open the charge door for your car, and if you''re at a public charger, follow the on-screen instructions for payment.
EV charging cables, especially fast chargers, are bulky and heavier than you might expect if you''re used to filling a car with gas. They''re also less flexible, so parking orientation is so important. If you''re using a DC fast charger on a car with a CCS plug, you might need to open a separate flap over the bottom part of the plug meant to keep dust out. From there, orient the charging handle to the plug and push it in until you hear a click.
Congratulations, you''re charging. You might even hear a beep and/or see some lighting come on in your car to let you know the juice is flowing.
If you plan on doing most of your vehicle charging at home – which you should, if only for the cost savings – you''ve got a lot less to worry about, particularly if you''ve made the smart decision and had a Level 2 charging system installed.
Modern Level 2 chargers not only replenish your car''s range much more quickly than the Level 1 charger that might have come with your car, but many of them can also help save money by charging your car when electricity prices are lowest. Some can even let you send your car''s electricity to your home (this is called "bi-directional charging") during a power outage if your vehicle allows it.
Now that you''re actively adding electricity to your car''s battery, you might wonder how long this whole process will take. Manufacturers like to advertise charging times like "10 percent to 80 percent in 20 minutes," but you can''t always expect that kind of performance because there are a lot of factors that contribute to how fast your car can accept energy and how much energy a plug can provide – especially if you''re at a public charger.
Some factors that can affect charge speed include the ambient outside temperature. If it''s very hot or cold, your car won''t be able to transfer energy as efficiently. Another factor is how busy the public charger is. If many people are charging at once, the amount of electricity available to each plug might be lessened, increasing charge time.
Other factors that you have control over can affect your charging, too. For example, if you''re in the car with the stereo or the climate control on, the car will charge slower than if you left it off entirely and went to get a coffee. Something else to consider is what kind of charger you''ve plugged into. If your brand new Porsche Taycan – which can charge at up to 225 kilowatts – is plugged into a 150-kilowatt charger, it can''t charge at its full advertised speed.
At the beginning of this whole thing, we talked about a whole production going on behind the scenes when you plug in your EV to charge, and that''s true. Plugging the car into the wall is only the beginning. To truly understand everything, you''d need an electrical engineering degree (and maybe a chemistry degree on the side); we''ll give you a broad overview.
Once the car detects incoming voltage, the car''s onboard charger starts to work with the charge controller to distribute electricity to the various battery modules that make up your car''s battery pack. Each module comprises many individual cells – some look like big versions of the AA batteries you''re used to seeing at home, others are pouch cells that look more like something you''d microwave for dinner – and all of those cells need to be carefully balanced and monitored.
This balancing and monitoring are critical because the chemicals that make up those cells and give them the ability to store energy are volatile. If they get too hot or see too much (or too little) voltage, they can become inoperable at best or catch fire at worst, and there are usually hundreds or even thousands of cells to manage.
Many modern EVs use a liquid cooling system for the battery pack, which can help with temperature regulation and ensures more consistent charging. Some cars, like the Lucid Air, have an option to "pre-condition" the battery pack so when you plug it into a super fast 350-kilowatt DC charger, it can take full advantage of it.
Proper charge management also greatly affects the longevity of your EV''s battery. If the pack is kept within its specified parameters and all its cells are balanced correctly and not over or undercharged, your pack will last longer. If you run your battery to fully dead or regularly DC fast charge to 100 percent, you could get less life from the most expensive part of your EV.
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Let’s explore the fascinating world of electric vehicles (EVs) and how they get charged up! We’ll uncover the secrets behind EV charging and the equipment that makes it all work. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What is EV charging?” then you’ve come to the right place. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of EV charging and how it works, which can be immensely useful if you’re considering owning an electric vehicle in the near future.
Electric Vehicle (EV) charging refers to the process of replenishing the energy in the battery of an electric vehicle. This is done by connecting the EV to a charging station or charger. A charging station, also known as an EV charging station or Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) supplies electricity to charge EVs. There are different types of EV chargers, including level 1 chargers, level 2 chargers, and DC fast chargers.
DC fast chargers, which is the fastest electric car charging type available, provides an even higher charging capacity and can charge an EV much faster compared to level 1 and level 2 chargers. These chargers use direct current (DC) to charge the vehicle’s battery and are ideal for long-distance travel or when the EV driver needs a quick charge.
To access EV charging, an EV driver needs to find a charging station, either through a mobile app or a dedicated website. The charge point operator, who owns and maintains the charging station, often provides a networked charger that allows EV drivers to pay for the charging session. The EV driver can initiate the charging process by connecting the EV charger to the vehicle’s charging port. The charger then communicates with the vehicle to manage the charging process and regulate the flow of electricity.
Home and commercial EV charging solutions are becoming more prevalent as the demand for electric cars increases, and governments incentivize their adoption to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, as the availability of renewable energy sources grows, EV charging stations are increasingly powered by clean energy. This allows electric car drivers to contribute to a sustainable future by reducing their carbon footprint.
Electric vehicles, or electric cars, are vehicles that are powered solely by electricity. They have an electric motor instead of a traditional internal combustion engine, which means they produce zero tailpipe emissions. This makes them an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, especially in a time when reducing carbon emissions is critical to combating climate change.
The popularity of electric vehicles has been steadily growing in recent years due to several factors. First and foremost, they offer significant environmental benefits. By switching to electric cars, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and decrease air pollution. Electric vehicles also have lower operating costs compared to traditional cars, as electricity is generally cheaper than gasoline, and they require less maintenance since they have fewer moving parts.
Furthermore, the continuous technological advancements in electric vehicle technology have resulted in increased driving ranges and improved performance. Modern electric cars can often travel more than 200 miles on a single charge, making them a practical option for everyday use. Additionally, electric vehicles are becoming more affordable as the cost of battery technology decreases and government incentives are introduced to encourage their adoption.
However, one of the main challenges faced by electric vehicle owners is finding convenient and accessible EV charging infrastructure. EV charging refers to the process of recharging the batteries of electric vehicles. Unlike traditional vehicles that can fill up at any gas station, electric cars require charging stations equipped with specific charging equipment.
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