Charging Methods for Electric Cars: Common Technologies and Typical Times

If you're an EV driver, then you've probably heard of charging methods and typical times. Understanding these terms is essential if you're looking to buy an electric car, or upgrade your current one. There are a variety of charging methods, with different plug types and speeds.

Summary:

In this blog, we'll explore the most popular charging methods, their respective technologies and their typical times for charging.

Plug & Charge

Plug & Charge is the simplest form of electric car charging. It uses Level 1 charging, which plugs directly into a standard 120-volt outlet. This type of charging is suitable for slow charging over a long period of time. The typical charging time for this type of charging is 12-24 hours, making it ideal for overnight charging.

Specially Installed Charging Stations

Specially installed charging stations are Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations that are managed by an electricity supplier. These stations are installed in public spaces or at EV charging service providers, and use either AC or DC charging. AC charging is slower than DC charging, however it's more affordable and available in most locations. AC charging typically takes from 4-6 hours to fully charge an EV. DC fast charging is faster and is becoming more commonly available at public and private locations across the globe. DC fast charging typically takes from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Pros and Cons of Different Charging Methods

• Plug & Charge: This type of charging is the most accessible and affordable, making it ideal for slow overnight charging. However, it's the slowest charging method available.
• Specially Installed Charging Stations: This type of charging is more expensive than Plug & Charge, however it's much faster so it's great for quickly charging an EV. AC charging is more readily available than DC charging, but DC charging is faster.

Key Takeaways

• There are a variety of charging methods for EVs with different speeds and plug types.
• Plug & Charge is the simplest form of charging, which uses Level 1 chargers and takes 12-24 hours for a full charge.
• Specially installed charging stations are Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations that are managed by an electricity supplier. These stations use either AC or DC charging, with AC charging taking 4-6 hours and DC charging taking 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• The pros of Plug & Charge are that it's accessible and affordable, whereas the cons are that it's the slowest charging method available.
• The pros of charging stations are that they're much faster than Plug & Charge, however the cons are that they're more expensive. DC fast charging is the fastest, however it's not as easy to come by as AC charging.

The EV revolution is picking up speed, with more than 7 million EVs on the roads worldwide according to InsideEVs. As the demand for charging methods grows, the technologies and typical times are also evolving. With a better understanding of the different charging methods, their technologies and their typical times, EV owners can confidently manage their charging needs.