Not all electric vehicle charging stations are the same: What you need to know

More and more businesses are installing electric vehicle charging stations on their premises to encourage customers, tenants, employees and visitors to drive electric vehicles.

Summary:However, not all charging stations are the same. While it may seem complicated, ENERGY5 can help you understand the basics of finding the right charger for your needs. It all depends on the availability of the charger, the quality of the charger itself, and how the charging station is operated. To find the best electric car charger for your needs, there are a few things you need to know.

Plug-in and disconnectable chargers

Electric car charging stations are special outlets that you can plug your car into. The simplest chargers are gridless chargers that do not have access to the internet. That means they can't collect usage data, track problems, allocate peak loads, or charge users for connectivity.

That's why the best EV chargers are connected - and that's exactly what ENERGY5 does. With a connected charging solution, you can monitor your charging stations for optimal availability and performance.

Open and closed networks

There are two types of charging station networks: open and closed. In a closed network, you are tied to a specific manufacturer of electric vehicle charging equipment. Changes thereafter can be very costly and may require you to dismantle and replace the equipment completely.

In contrast, ENERGY5 has an open network. We comply with OCPP Open Charge Alliance national standards, our software is compatible with a wide range of EV charger manufacturers, and we can even use EV chargers of different makes and models running simultaneously on our network. This is important because the model of EV charging stations best suited for a particular need can change as the industry evolves.

When considering electric vehicle charging station requirements, it is very advantageous to stay open in the long run, and choosing an open network is consistent with this.

Different levels of charging power

Currently, three different levels of charging power are typically available: level 1, level 2, and constant current fast charging. Choosing the best charger for electric vehicles depends on the needs and goals of the business, with most companies choosing a Level 2 charger.

Level 1 chargers are powered by 120 volts of AC power. This is the same power as a normal household outlet. Level 1 chargers are very slow, and it can take up to eight hours or overnight to fully charge an electric car's dead battery. You can often find them on the domestic market, but for commercial customers, they are not fast enough to compete with the best charging stations for electric cars.

Level 2 charging stations are the most common chargers. They run on 240-volt AC power and charge a dead battery in as little as two to three hours; even a one-hour charge can replenish a significant portion of the battery's capacity. Therefore, Level 2 chargers are the ideal chargers for electric cars in most restaurants, retail outlets, employee parking lots, hospitals, schools, and residences.

A new third charger for electric cars is called "DC fast charger", which uses DC current and can fully charge the battery in less than an hour. However, they are very expensive and require stricter safety measures. Also, most electric cars can be connected to Level 1 or 2 chargers, although most older electric cars are not compatible with them.

Get help with your electric vehicle charging station needs

When looking for the best chargers for electric vehicles, it's often not about the hardware but rather the networking software. ENERGY5 offers a powerful, easy-to-use network solution backed by 24/7 expert customer support.

Contact ENERGY5 today to discuss which electric vehicle charging station is right for your business and how you can get the most out of your investment.