Picture this: you’re zipping along the freeway in your snazzy new EV, feeling fabulous about your nifty environmentally friendly choice. But, as you near the end of your trek, a familiar twinge of worry creeps in – you have to refuel. Fret not, kindred EV voyager! Unlike enlightening hubs to which all are mysteriously connected energizing stations, the land of EV charging is vast and diverse.
Worry not, for we’re here to familiarize you with the varied kinds of EV chargers, preparing you for the new era of possibility.
Charging things up at home: level 1 and level 2.
First and foremost, consider your home base. All EVs arrive with a Level 1 charger, which means that they come with a highly advanced two-syllable tool known as a fancy adapter that allows you to plug your vehicle into any standard 120-volt wall outlet. This is the tortoise, arguably, beating the hare method – you can easily use it to recharge your EV overnight, but it might take a long time to do so.
If you want to make the process much much faster, consider getting a Daedalus and Icarus-level 2 charging station. You’ll need a professional installer because this powerhouse also runs on a higher 240-volt circuit, like your dryer or oven. While Level 1 could charge you up to half of the tank overnight. Level 2 means you’re back on the road in no time.
To put it another way, Level 1 charging is like sipping through a straw while Level 2 is drinking from a bottle. In the end, both will help you quench your thirst for driving – but the latter will do so more quickly.
Public Charging Options – Hitting the Road
If you go for a road trip on your electric vehicle, public charging will be your saving grace – there are various kinds to keep you moving. Some of the most popular public charging stations include:
- Level 2 chargers – these are the same as ones at home just with added convenience to top up your charge while you take a sip of coffee or clean your home or office. They will be available at parking lots, shopping centers, and if you’re lucky, your workplace;
- DC fast chargers – they have another name as Level 3, and they are giving an energy boost for you to go back and hit the highway. As the name implies, DC fast chargers have direct currency that can bypass your car’s onboard charger. Optimizing the charging time, you are back on the road in less than 30 minutes, depending on your battery;
- Ultra-fast chargers – this is the EV charging future! Ultra-fast Level 4 chargers boast an ultra-fast charge time, with a power output that is off the charts. Although still a rare sight, you can see more and more Level 4 chargers appearing on major highways. They promise to charge your EV in a few digits – ideal for those long trips.
How to Choose the Right Charger
Your selection of the charger depends solely on the house you intend to use the vehicle and your driving habits. If you only drive a short commute to work, a Level 1 at home might not even require a Level 2 charger. On the other hand, if you drive long distances or purchase a commercial EV with extensive battery power requirements, a Level 2 charger and DC fast-charging are in order.
Lastly, do not forget about compatibility! Every car manufacturer uses different charging port standards – be sure to get acquainted with the type of charging your EV uses, be it CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla Supercharger, or others, and download the necessary apps to search and pay public stations for it.
The Future of EV Charging: Powering Up Progress.
EV charging is growing and expanding quickly. As technology in batteries and infrastructure progresses, EV owners will experience even faster and more freely available charging. It is without a doubt that charging will impact the rate of EV growth and lead us to a brighter and more sustainable future. Who knows, maybe one day you will be able to fuel up your electric delivery trucks and long-haul rigs only as easily as you fuel them up with gasoline. But until then, with a bit of anticipation and the right charger in your vehicle, your journey can only get better.
