Switching from a petrol car to an electric-powered car can be slightly daunting when it comes to charging. Electric charging stations are appearing all over the UK. Understanding the basics of electric charging and how the industry is advancing is crucial if you are thinking of giving up your petrol car.
An electric vehicle (EV) is solely powered by electricity, this replaces the combustion engine with an electric engine. An EV stores its energy in the car battery pack which is used to drive the motor. You can charge an electric vehicle at a public charging station, at home or even at work, allowing a convenient and flexible way to power up your car.
Electric charging has offered an eco-friendly alternative. Understanding what different types of power different charging points have to offer is important when it comes to individuals managing their time. The higher a charging kiloWatt (kW) output has to offer the faster it will charge the vehicle also, the bigger the car battery the longer it’s going to take for it to charge. There are three types of charging levels that offer a range of kilowatts, they're known as levels 1,2 and 3.
Level 1 chargers are standard AC plugs, plugged into a socket, that are typically used at household outlets. These types of outlets are wonderful for overnight charging as their maximum output is 2.3kW. This means it is the slowest charger available offering 4 to 5 miles per hour.
There are two types of level 2 charges that can be found, you can find them in public places or at homes. You can find level 2 chargers in public locations like commercial locations or workplaces. It has a maximum output of up to 20kW which is a lot faster than a level 1 charger. An hour's charging session can give you around 70 miles on your car's battery. Level 2 charges that are found in people's households are commonly referred to as a wall box as it is a box that is set up at your home. This is different to a level 1 charger as a wall box doesn’t get plugged into a three-pin socket because the energy is a lot higher.
A level 3 also known as a DC, fast charger provides the quickest boosts. These are a perfect charger to have in locations like service stations as they can often charge a car to around 75 per cent in less than an hour. A DC current will always be faster than an AC current as it uses a direct current whereas an AC uses an alternative current.
Home charging has become more common for individuals to charge their vehicles. A level 1 charger is plugged into the standard household three-pin socket, with it being only 2.3 Kw it is recommended to charge your vehicle overnight as it takes longer to charge. A level 1 charger is convenient for people who do shorter commutes. However, people tend to opt for a level 2 charger known as a wall box as it charges quickly. With a wall box, you will need to call someone out to install it on your house. It costs around £800 to install but the government offers a grant of 75% off. If you have off-street parking and own or have primary use of an electric vehicle you may be eligible for a home charging point. Household charging is beneficial as it’s a cost-effective and efficient way to charge your car.
Public charging stations can now be found at, supermarkets, service stations, car parks even on the side of roads. Public charging stations have changed the ball game when it comes to drivers making longer journeys and daily commutes. They are strategically placed in places like shopping centres, workplaces and service stations allowing you to charge up wherever you may be. The types of public charges vary from level 2 to level 3. Level 2 charges are perfect for a rapid top while you do your food shop or grab something to eat. The increase in charging stations is reducing the range anxiety people may have when making the switch to EVs. Due to the increase, locating these charging stations is just as easy as finding a petrol station enhancing the overall electric driving experience.
Even though the car isn’t powered by petrol it is recommended to keep the car battery between 20 and 80 percent to maintain a healthy battery life to keep it as long as possible. Charging your car every single day isn’t required either as it will just reduce your battery life. Depending on how many miles you go on average requires you to charge your EV every other day or once a week. You should precondition your car or preheat your car while it's charging to decrease the battery drainage.
By implementing environmental changes EV owners can increase their efficiency and battery life which contribute to both personal savings and environmental benefits. Making the switch from petrol to electric will only be beneficial as technology advances and renewable energy sources become more integrated into our power grids and the benefits of charging will only continue to grow.