Despite electric vehicles being more popular than ever, many people still have some questions about them. For one, how does the charging work? We’re breaking down everything you need to know about charging your electric car.

Charging power

The first thing you need to be aware of when it comes to electric vehicles is the types of chargers available to you. They come in a range, starting with the manufacturer-proved basic, right up to superpowered chargers that give you juice in minutes. Most electric vehicle manufacturers will provide you with a charger that uses the regular outlet in your home.

These chargers are typically portable and don’t require installation from an electrician. There are more powerful chargers available than the ones provided by manufacturers, like level 2 chargers that you find in parking lots and public places. Then there are fast and ultra-fast charging options too. Unsurprisingly, the more powerful the charger, the quicker it will charge your vehicle.

Variables

The most powerful chargers can give you a full battery in under an hour, while the standard manufacturer-provided ones can take between 11 to 30 hours. There are also other variables to consider when charging your electric car.

Things like the ambient temperature, time of day, and number of EVs connected to a station can alter the speed. The colder it is outside, the slower your car charges, while more people at a station will also reduce the charging time.

Cost

While EVs might be slower to charge than gas, they are also a lot cheaper. It’s estimated the average cost per kWh is $0.13, so if your battery takes 40 kWs to fill, it will cost $5.20. Another cost that must be considered is the charger itself, if you upgrade from the standard manufacturer’s model, you could spend up to $900. Then you must include the cost of installation, which can be as much as $2,000.

Charging your electric vehicle is quite simple once you know how. So, will you be going electric?

It’s not all about the driving speed! The Phoenix Raceway has witnessed an amazing pit stop at the 2021, NASCAR cup series by the Hendrick Motorsports crew, making Kyle Larson the winner of the championship. All it took 6 crews and their lightning-fast efficiency in changing tires to make the ultimate difference. Who says NASCAR is not a team effort?

The Ready Backdrop

Larson was in the fourth position, when a yellow flag flew late, bringing most of the field into the pits. All the four competing drivers had to stop for tire changing and splashing of fuel. On the day before, Larson pulled up a blazing single lap run, qualifying for the pole position. This gave him the advantage here to choose the first pit stall for the race. This stance made him the last one in but crucially ensured a clear shot ahead while pulling back onto the track.

The End-Defining Moment

Most of us have seen the scene from the animated movie Cars, where Lightning McQueen’s one-man crew Guido completed an eerily speedy feat to keep the hero on the championship race’s lead lap. The NASCAR moment on Phoenix reminded the scene, when Larson’s crew pulled off a similar performance, by completing an almost perfect stop at an unbelievable speed of just 11.8 seconds. As soon as he came off, it was a clear way for Larson to beat till now leading Denny Hamlin to the first position.

The Grateful Reaction

After the victory, Kyle Larson gave full credit to his pit stop crew for their game-changing skill. He confessed that there were several points on the race when he himself was doubtful about winning the championship. His pit crew on that last stop changed everything and turned the race. Larson also got emotional when he mentioned his pit crew as the real champions and considered himself blessed to be part of the group.