Everything You Need to Know About Charging Electric Cars

By Jamie Shore - August 11, 2020

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?