It was already 20 years ago that The Simpsons made fun of electric vehicles. Now, it represents nearly 10% of global sales. Hybrids are already well-settled in our society and have paved the way for a full electric revolution. However, the technology is relatively new to consumers, so when you purchase an electric vehicle, you may not understand exactly how it works.
Charging an electric car can be tricky, as some models can only be charged a certain way, and the charging speed depends on a wide variety of factors. The car battery can require more time to charge, or you may have to use a level 2 car charger to reduce the waiting time.
Four Factors That Can Affect Your Charging
These are the four main elements that can have an impact on the way your electric vehicle is charging.
Your Car Battery
The charging capacity of your vehicle depends on your battery’s capacity, first and foremost. For instance, it’s impossible to charge the Nissan LEAF 2018, which has a 40 kW/h battery that can charge in approximately an hour with a 50kW charging station. However, it won’t be compatible with a 150kW station, whereas the Tesla Model S from 2019 will.
Remember that a bigger battery means more autonomy, but it also means that you’ll have to charge it longer.
The Charging Station
You can charge your car at home overnight, but during the daytime, most people rely on a charging station near their place of work. However, not all stations are the same. If you encounter a Tesla station, don’t expect to plug your Mitsubishi in it because it won’t have the same plug. Another difference is the charging capacity of the station. Most of them will offer between 43 and 50 kW of power, while Tesla’s stations reach up to 150 kW.
So both the car battery and the charging station matter when it comes to charging speed. If a battery is too small, it won’t charge faster just because you plug it into a more powerful station.
There are three levels of charging stations:
- Level one: it’s the slowest one. It’s similar to the plug you use to power your TV or charge your smartphone. It delivers 120 volts.
- Level two: This second level is more powerful and delivers 220 volts. Level two car chargers deliver the same power you get with a washing machine, for example. It’s easy to find at malls or parking lots, and some electric vehicle owners even have one at home for overnight charging.
- Level three: Level three charging stations are the fastest you can find. They typically have the ability to charge a vehicle in around 20 minutes. They’re perfect if you don’t have one at home or if you need to charge during a trip.
The Current Charging Level of the Battery
If you charge your car with an almost empty battery, you may have to wait several hours to reach 100%. This is why many people don’t wait for the battery to empty itself. Instead, they’ll top it up every time they park at an electric vehicle spot and plug it in once at home. If they have a model that they can charge at home, that is.
Temperature
Electric car batteries are similar to your smartphone’s. These batteries use lithium-ions, which react to electric current to create a charge. This process is affected by temperatures. If you live in an extremely cold region, like Canada, you may notice the car takes longer to charge. It also means the battery will hold less charge and grant you fewer miles per charge.
Final Tips to Charge Your Electric Vehicle
Once you know the battery, you have in your car and the different stations around your home, keeping your car topped up is easy.
Moreover, by charging overnight at home, you’ll always have enough charge to reach your destination or at least to get to a station, even if you use your home current. Still, you have to know the capacity of your car and its compatibility with the different stations to avoid any inconveniences.
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