Fast Charging

There are three levels of current: level 1, level 2, and fast direct current (sometimes called level 3). Each level charges an electric vehicle (EV) with a different power.

What is DC fast charging?

Level 1 is the slowest and DC fast charging (DCFC) is the fastest.</p>
<h2>Why are only some electric vehicles capable of DC fast charging? </h2><p><img title="Why are only some electric vehicles capable of DC fast charging?"  src="https://admin.energy5.com/assets/51dcb214-157d-40f5-8363-a56789976bb3" alt="Why are only some electric vehicles capable of DC fast charging?" /><p>Not all electric vehicles can be charged with DCFC. In fact, almost all plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) can only charge up to level 1 or 2. This is because PHEVs have much smaller batteries than pure electric vehicles (known as battery electric vehicles or BEVs). </p>
<h2>What is Level 1 and Level 2 charging? </h2><p><img title="What is Level 1 and Level 2 charging?"  src="https://admin.energy5.com/assets/67309d71-3a27-4151-8157-67c5c268ef6b" alt="What is Level 1 and Level 2 charging?" /><p>Level 1 charging is sometimes referred to as trickle charging. This is because it uses a standard 120 volt outlet. At this rate, level 1 charging provides a range of about 4 mph. And since most charging is done at home at night, that's about 50 miles per night.<p>For most people, Type 1 fares are sufficient in most cases. This is especially true as the average work travel is around 40 miles. <p>On the other hand, Level 2 is the preferred option for those who want more movement and faster charging at home. Level 2 charging uses a 240 volt outlet, the same as for an electric oven or dryer.<p>On level 2 charging, an electric vehicle can travel at about 25 miles per hour. This is equivalent to a full charge for both PHEVs and BEVs. In other words, it doesn't matter how much range the car has.</p>
<h2>What is DC fast charging? </h2><p><img title="What is DC fast charging?"  src="https://admin.energy5.com/assets/21582538-aba8-49a8-9e96-4cf810d2bd21" alt="What is DC fast charging?" /></p><p><img title="What is DC fast charging?"  src="https://admin.energy5.com/assets/8756033d-df96-4350-9c2c-dc23a4ad814c" alt="What is DC fast charging?" /><p>DCFC is the fastest way to charge an electric vehicle. As mentioned above, DCFC is actually only suitable for BEVs as they have much larger batteries than PHEVs.<p>DCFC uses over 400 volts. That's a lot of power! DCFC typically charges an electric vehicle to 80% in about 20-60 minutes, depending on the vehicle. In terms of kilometers, this means approximately 90-200 miles in 30 minutes.<p>Therefore, DCFC is mainly used for long trips and not for overnight charging. This is another reason why DCFCs are only used in electric vehicles and not in plug-in hybrids. In plug-in hybrid vehicles, after using electric autonomy, a natural gas extended autonomy system is available on longer routes.</p>
<h2>Why do some DC EVs fast charge to 80% in 20 minutes, while others take 60 minutes? </h2><p><img title="Why do some DC EVs fast charge to 80% in 20 minutes, while others take 60 minutes?"  src="https://admin.energy5.com/assets/95589e39-c3fe-4b7a-bfd4-06e705e18946" alt="Why do some DC EVs fast charge to 80% in 20 minutes, while others take 60 minutes?" /><p>As mentioned earlier, the duration of DCFC operation varies considerably: one BEV can be charged at a fixed current in 20 minutes, while another BEV may need three times. The reason for this is that each car can consume energy as it charges.<p>Most modern electric vehicles have a maximum DCFC power of around 70kW. These vehicles include Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Niro EV. In contrast, premium EVs like the Tesla Model 3, Audi Etron and Ford Mustang Mach-E can charge up to 150-250kW. Obviously, electric vehicles that can charge faster will take less time to charge if the batteries are roughly the same size.<p>However, it is important to note that this only applies if the EV is charged at a DCFC station that can charge at the maximum rate at which the EV can charge. For example, if a Tesla Model Y is connected to a 100 kW DCFC station, the Model Y will only charge at that maximum speed, but the vehicle can be charged faster.</p>
<h2>Which plugs are suitable for fast DC charging?</h2><p><img title="Which plugs are suitable for fast DC charging?"  src="https://admin.energy5.com/assets/6257122c-214b-4694-aa65-89543598fe7c" alt="Which plugs are suitable for fast DC charging?" /><p>There are only four connectors in North America - J1772, CCS, Chademo and Tesla.<p>J1772 is a general purpose Level 1 and Level 2 chargers plug. All electric vehicles can use this plug. However, to connect the J1772 connector, Tesla must use an adapter.<p>CCS, Chademo and Tesla (see figure below) are the three legs of DCFC; CCS has recently become the worldwide standard for DCFC stations. The Chademo is currently only used in the Nissan LEAF. All other car manufacturers have resorted to using the CCS connector, again by Tesla.<p>Tesla has created its own fork for its privately owned exclusive DCFC network, known as the SuperCharging network.</p>
<h2>What is a Tesla supercharger?</h2><p><img title="What is a Tesla supercharger?"  src="https://admin.energy5.com/assets/efcb7a8d-6f96-418c-9628-239d8237f8da" alt="What is a Tesla supercharger?" /><p>Tesla has its own DCFC network known as SuperCharger. These DCFC stations are exclusive to Tesla vehicles.<p>Turbochargers are so named for their ability to charge very quickly. In most cases, Tesla SuperLoaders can be charged at 250kW. This allows most Tesla vehicles to complete a DCFC session in less than 30 minutes.</p>
<h2>Why is DC fast charging expressed in minutes up to 80%? </h2><p><img title="Why is DC fast charging expressed in minutes up to 80%?"  src="https://admin.energy5.com/assets/06563a45-b4fc-4ff2-9b06-d06df7a1d006" alt="Why is DC fast charging expressed in minutes up to 80%?" /><p>All BEVs have what is known as a charge curve. This limits the amount of power going into the battery to protect performance. If the battery is low, the amount of power the car can receive is relatively large.<p>As the battery charges, the amount of energy decreases. Generally, all car manufacturers design their vehicles to reduce the amount of energy delivered to the battery by at least 80%, thereby extending battery life.</p>
<h2>Where are DC fast charging stations located? </h2><p><img title="Where are DC fast charging stations located?"  src="https://admin.energy5.com/assets/012b7e99-1c75-4b35-a9e1-9d73b1d18276" alt="Where are DC fast charging stations located?" /><p>DCFC stations are usually located away from highways and close to shopping malls. This is because DCFCs are treated as charging stations. After a quick recharge, the driver sets out on a long journey again.<p>However, when using DCFC, the charging period is slightly longer than when using gas. Therefore, the 30 minutes following the car is the perfect time to grab a bite to eat, go to the bathroom, or stretch your legs (leaving the car while charging is absolutely acceptable).<p>Use the map below to find your nearest DCFC station.</p>

We've covered the basics of EV charging speeds in the past, but as EVs gain more range and fast charging technologies are on the rise, more organizations are interested in fast charging.

DC Fast Charging: How a Business Can Benefit

By 2040, electric vehicles will account for 58% of new passenger car sales (and 31% of the entire fleet!). ), so organizations must find ways to offer electric vehicles. This article explains the difference between L2 AC charging and DC fast charging, and provides tips on how to determine if DC fast charging is right for your business. <p><b>The model of the charging station is already ready (think of your mobile phone).</b><p>Before understanding the different speeds of electric vehicles, it is necessary to know that the way to refuel electric vehicles is different from the way to refuel gasoline vehicles. Electric car drivers like me rarely make the next trip to fill up the car. Instead, we plug in an outlet anywhere and continue to work at night (my favorite method), in the parking lot during the work day, or while shopping.<p>I see this as a transition from landline mobile phones. The mobile phone came about when people asked themselves, Why do I have to go somewhere to make a phone call? The same can be said about charging electric vehicles.Why should I go anywhere in particular? I have to wait until they charge me for parking. Charging an electric car means I don't have to drive to another place to fill up like I usually do.<p>Typically EV drivers use AC Level 2 charging, and autonomy increases charging to around 25 mph. Charging can take longer than petrol, but that's not a problem - most cars spend more than 90% of their time parked, so there are plenty of options for charging. This means that DC fast charging is not the primary charging method for most electric vehicles.</p>
<h3>Where is fast charging suitable?</h3>
<p>While DC is not the primary charging option for EVs, it provides fast and convenient charging for EVs for short periods of parking, whether it's a long drive, shopping or dining at a restaurant. It is also a key element of light, medium and heavy fleet charging kits that need to be charged while on the road. So what is the difference between AC and DC charging? And how do you know if fast charging is right for your setup?</p>
<h3>Differences between AC and DC charging</h3>
<p>Electrical outlets provide alternating current (AC) to the device, but continuous current (DC) is required to charge the battery; AC loads are based on a single built-in charger that continuously converts AC to charge the battery in the car. The speed of sonic charging (Level 1 or Level 2) depends on the voltage at the AC outlet and the speed of the vehicle's built-in charger.Fast flow stations convert AC power into a continuous flow of power within the station, directly powering the battery and allowing for faster charging. The speed of continuous current charging depends on a number of factors, including the current state of charge of the battery, the capacity of the charger, and the capacity of the vehicle's battery. You may have noticed that your mobile phone charges slowly when it is almost full. Car batteries are similar but require much more power.</p>
<h3>Level 1 AC Charging: Very Slow</h3>
<p>Charging the first level consists of connecting the electric vehicle to a standard circuit of 120 volts, 20 amps (found in a regular socket). This increases range by about 4 miles per hour and requires more than 60 hours to fully charge a car with a range of 250 miles. Level 1 works overnight for some electric and gas limited range plug-in hybrids, but is usually too slow to efficiently power electric and long-range vehicles. Category 1 chargers are ineligible for many of the subsidies, rebates and other incentives available for charging electric vehicles, so drivers can't find them and companies can't operate them. Therefore, businesses are not recommended to use this option.</p>
<h3>Level 2 AC Chargers: Flexible Option</h3>
<p>Level 2 charging solutions increase charging range by approximately 25 miles per hour and are ideal for places where people park for several hours, such as single-family homes, condos, apartment buildings and office buildings.Relatively affordable to install, easy to operate and attractive to customers, it is suitable for various types of businesses and fleets. For vehicles parked overnight, level 2 will usually provide sufficient time for a full charge.</p>
<h3>Fast DC charging: what you need in some cases</h3>
<p>We've covered the basics of how and when EV drivers should use DC fast charging. Companies and fleets can use DC fast charging in the same way. The benefits are many, including faster charging and the ability to serve more drivers per day. However, there are also costs. The stations themselves are more expensive, space exploration is larger and requires more powerful power sources. However, in areas with high traffic along major road axes and with large vehicles where charging is needed, the investment may be justified.</p>
<h3>Network stations required at all speeds</h3>
<p>Regardless of the charging speed you choose, you must choose a solution for plug-in charging of electric vehicles. Electric vehicle drivers can find network stations through a mobile app and access your business while charging. The plug-in charging solution gives you cloud-based control over who can access your stations, how much it costs to charge drivers, and how to charge users on site.<p>In addition, networks have economic implications. This is because smart power management avoids costly infrastructure upgrades and distributes power across stations. Web solutions can receive over-the-air updates so they are always up to date with the latest features for you and your drivers. AC and DC charging combinations, you can even prioritize DC fast charging so these stations are always charged when you need them.</p>

More and more fleets are switching to electric vehicles. Whether it's President Biden's shocking announcement that he plans to run the entire U.S.

Electrification is the way forward: is your fleet ready? NYC complements AC Charging Foundation with DC fast charging

government fleet on local green energy, or the decision by the world's largest bottler, Coca-Cola, to make its fleet greener, we hear about new electrification almost daily. <p>More than 100 companies have already joined the EV movement, which aims to move to all-electric vehicles by 2030. In total, there are 4.8 million electric vehicles in the world and 6,500 charging points for them. Amazon is testing a Rivian delivery van and Daimler Truck is focusing on zero-emission vehicles, and it's clearer than ever that fleets of all types must take electrification very seriously or risk being left behind.<p>Fleets are choosing electric vehicles (EVs) for a number of good reasons, including passenger cars, light trucks and vans, heavy vehicles, and work vehicles such as low mileage, high payload tractors. Electrification offers a wide range of benefits for fleets, from meeting ambitious climate requirements to supporting sustainable development goals. Perhaps most importantly for fleets, electric vehicles have significantly lower operating and fuel costs. Especially as fossil fuel vehicles age, replacing them with electric vehicles is an important investment that will pay off over time in lower total cost of ownership.<p>The New York City Department of Administrative Services (DCAS) fleet is a prime example of a holistic approach to electrification by electrifying all types of vehicles and creating the appropriate infrastructure and charging rates to support scale. The city is developing the right combination of charging stations. DC fast charging, which can be used for larger vehicles, will meet the charging needs of most public property vehicles. The city has also made some of its car charging points available to the public, highlighting the important role cars play in supporting electrification on a wider scale and their importance. Choose a charging solution that is flexible enough to meet your different needs.<p>DCAS already has 2,700 electric vehicles in its fleet and plans to have at least 100 fast charging stations more. This will add hundreds of AC charging points, bringing the total number of car charging points in the city to 1,000. New York is clearly committed to electric vehicles, and by electrifying its fleet, the city has already reduced fuel consumption by more than 2.8 million gallons in three years and reduced annual maintenance costs by more than $550 for all electric vehicles in the fleet.<p>From New York to Los Angeles and beyond, electric vehicle fleets continue to reach unprecedented speeds, and a variety of charging solutions are being used to keep these vehicles running. When fleets choose the right EV charging solution, they can take advantage of the low total cost of ownership that EVs promise to optimize energy use, reduce costs and improve availability.<p>The overwhelming amount of evidence in favor of electrification continues to accumulate, and the success of real electric vehicles confirms the growing need for them. Whether you have a fleet of multiple EVs or heavy trucks, we can help you launch an EV charging infrastructure, expand your EV fleet, and develop the right solutions to continue success as you expand over time.</p>

We're here to dispel some common myths about DC fast charging and show you why most charging is still done in a level 2 AC home or workstation.
Fast charging is the main way to charge electric vehicles
More than 80% of all electric vehicle trips are made at home or at work.

Debunking Myths About DC Fast Charging

Cars spend a lot of time parked at these locations, allowing enough time to refuel at Level 2 speeds (about 25 mph). Charging at home, at work and anywhere else in the city is the most convenient way to recharge daily. DC Fast helps with driving and filling up quickly.</p>
<h3>Fast charging is always better</h3>
<p>Just like humans, batteries prefer to operate at a comfortable temperature. Usually it is 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 20-25 degrees Celsius). Fast charging provides more power. Some vehicles are also equipped with battery conditioning systems designed to charge the battery to the optimum temperature. Thermal stress has a minimal effect on battery life over time; however, level 2 is recommended for daily charging.</p>

<h3>Every vehicle is charged the same fee - verified</h3>
<p>Different cars have different battery voltages and different fast charging capacities (and most plug-in hybrids are not capable of fast charging at all). Each vehicle's battery management system informs the fast charger how much power the vehicle can consume at any given time. The amount of power a car can draw is limited by the voltage of the battery and the amount of current it can draw. In many cases, the DC charger's charging capacity is greater than what the car can handle. Temperature also affects charging. This is another reason why the DC fast charging curve changes over time.</p>
<h3>The temperature matters</h3>
<p>As mentioned earlier, temperature is very important for batteries. Therefore, when driving at high speed for a long time on the freeway, the battery may become too hot and not be charged quickly enough at the optimum speed. Likewise, if the battery has been in a cold place for a while, it will charge slightly more slowly until it warms up. Be aware of the temperature sensitivity of the battery and allow it to warm up or cool down.<p>Faster isn't always better, but don't be afraid to charge quickly if necessary. </p>