The introduction of new technology accompanies several new jargon forcing customers to feel overwhelmed while navigating through the initial torrent of fresh information. Drivers are well-instructed about the petrol or diesel-powered cars’ ins and outs but electric vehicles [EV] are a new launch. It is an entirely new kind of vehicle with a totally innovative operating system that people are still unaware of. People have to learn about it.
The one area that is a hot topic is charging speed along with the difference between alternate charging [AC] and direct charging [DC]. In short, AC charging is the slowest method, while DC is rapid but there is a little more than this.
People can shop for the type 2 charging cable on Jucer because it is the best connector for EVs supporting level 2.
EV can use two kinds of electricity AC and DC. The trickiest aspect is that the power that is got from the electricity grid is mostly AC, while the batteries installed in the EV store energy in the form of DC. Therefore many devices have in-built AC to DC converter plug. EVs have an in-built converter [onboard converter] that transforms the AC voltage into DC and stores it in the battery.
There are faster chargers that transform AC to DC power internally. It means the power can be transferred directly to the EV battery averting the car’s onboard converter.
The best way to get familiar with EV charging time and speed you can categorize it into three levels.
Level 1 [AC-trickle charging]
The EV is connected to a regular 240V AC wall socket found in average family residences. It is a convenient charging form and available everywhere but is the slowest, so is termed ‘trickle charging’. The 10 amp socket will supply 2.0 kWh of charging power. This can offer an empty EV battery to get fully recharged depending on battery size.
If you use a more potent 15 amp with a 3.6 kW socket then the charging speed changes that even transform the timing requirements to top up the battery. For example, the Mercedes EQC has an 80 kW battery that takes 3 days in the level 1 trickle charging AC method, whereas with a Level 2 charger it takes only 11 hours. Thus the speed increases and timing decreases.
Level 2 [AC rapid charging]
A wall box charger delivers 7.2 kW in single-phase 240V AC power that lessens the charging time. Therefore 13.8 kW batteries take 2 hours to charge fully from empty. The wall box chargers are great for PHEVs because these vehicles are hybrid and have small batteries. The public charging stations are generally equipped with a level 2 AC rapid charging option.
Level 3 [DC ultra-fast charging]
It is offered at a public station, where direct charging starts at a considerable 50 kW at 480V DC ultra-fast chargers. Drivers using their EVs for long distances have less charging time and can benefit from level 3 DC chargers. If you have PHEV then they don’t support DV ultra-fast chargers because they are built to be compatible with AC charging.