Electric vehicles are attaining popularity and gaining more users as they decrease too much pollution, noise and deprivation of fossil fuels. Mileage of the electric cars primarily depends on the brand and manufacturer. Continue reading to know more about the charging of an electric car.
Types of Electric Vehicles
The three major types of electric cars in the market are:
Electric vehicles (EV): These are the cars which use exclusively electrical energy for starting the engine and driving. These types of cars are very quiet and are an ideal option for busy cities and urban areas. Though these cars not suitable for long distance journey, but are ideal daily usage and have a distance range of 161-322 km.
Part electric vehicles: It is the plug in hybrid or PHEV use both type of energy – Electricity and fuels. These cars can be used for longer rides. The battery can be used for distances up to 50 miles or 80.5 km and the travel can be continued using fuel. Some of the models use electricity and fuel alternately, depending on the speed or decelerating at the traffic light.
Extended-range electric vehicles (E-REV): This type of vehicles use electricity and have fuel engine to charge the battery if needed. These have the best mileage of all the three types of electric cars. A comfortable distance of 125 miles or 201 km can be driven by these cars. After the fuel engine charges the battery the journey can be continued for another 65 miles or 104.5 km.
Types of Chargers
Wall outlets: A standard wall outlet is the best option for charging. Ensure to keep an extra charger in the car for emergency usage, which can be used at home, work or gas station whenever required. Wall outlet with a standard 120 Volt is called level one charging, which can be used to charge the car up to 8 hours from empty to full battery. The car can be charged overnight to be used in the day time. It is also important to have standard wall outlets connectors be compatible with all car types or use an adapter. Wall outlets are slowest with a charging rate of 5 miles per hour.
240 outlets: The ideal option for busy person in 240 outlets. It provides fast charging and save a lot of time. Cars can be charged with a minimum of four hours which a rate of charging of 25 miles per hour. By using additional equipment and depending on the car type, it can be up to 60 miles per hour. 240 volts outlet can be installed at home and is a common option for public charging spots and gas station.
DC fast chargers: These are the fastest chargers in the contemporary market with a range of 250miles per hour. It can be charged up to 50 miles in 15 minutes.
The Types of Connectors
It is important to pay attention to the compatibility of the connectors and the car. Depending on the type of chargers J1772, CHAdeMO, Combo (CCS), Tesla can be used. It is also important to have a adaptor which is included in the price of the vehicle.
Rapid DC Chargers: Rapid DC charger, which is the common type of charger, uses either the Combo or CHAdeMO charging standards. It needs 20-60 minutes to charge EV to 80%.
Ultra Rapid DC chargers: Despite the increased battery capacity in newer EVs within a lesser time. It also provides charging using Combo or CHAdeMO connectors.
Tesla’s supercharger: Tesla’s supercharger provides rapid DC charging which uses Tesla CCS or Tesla Type 2 Connector. Many Tesla owners also use Combo and CHAdeMO adaptors which help in using public rapid points.
Rapid AC chargers: Rapid AC chargers use the Type 2 charging standard and take 20 to 40 minutes to charge an EV to 80%.