EV Charging , Electric cars hold within them battery cells which, when charged, can produce power for the electric motors. This energy has the ability to take the vehicle long distances.

Electric car chargers come in all shapes and sizes, have different levels of charge and depending on the type of electrical connection can produce different amounts of energy.

To charge a vehicle a number of options are available.

Electric cars contain batteries which are utilised to store and release energy that allows the car to move.

The electric car is sold as an environmentally friendly car. Therefore it is important for the electricity that charges the vehicles to also be considered environmentally friendly.

Types of Car chargers

There are three main types of EV charging – 

• Rapid
  • Fast
    • Slow

These represent the power outputs available to charge an EV.

Rapid Chargers

Rapid chargers are one of two types –

• AC – alternating Current
  • Rapid AC devices use a tethered Type 2 connector.
• DC – Direct Current
  • Rapid DC chargers are fitted:
    • CCS
    • CHAdeMO
    • Tesla Type 2

Currently, Rapid AC chargers are rated at 43 kW, while most Rapid DC units are at least 50 kW.

Both will charge the majority of EVs to 80% in around 30-60 minutes (depending a battery capacity). Tesla Superchargers are also Rapid DC and charge at around 120 kW with future versions to be much greater.

Fast Chargers

Fast chargers include those which provide power from 7 kW to 22 kW, which typically fully charge an EV in 3-4 hours. Common fast connectors are a tethered Type 1 or a Type 2 socket (via a connector cable supplied with the vehicle).

Slow Chargers

Slow chargers (up to 3 kW) are used for overnight charging and usually take between 6 and 12 hours for a pure-EV, or 2-4 hours for a PHEV. EVs charge on slow devices using a cable which connects the vehicle to a 3-pin or Type 2 socket.

Information courtesy of Zap Map.