Electric Vehicle Charging Stations may only, at first glance, seem like a more convenient process than filling up your vehicle. A couple of seconds to plug in, then you can go about your business in peace, and a couple of seconds to disconnect. However, there are nuances, and the most basic one is the lack of a sufficient number of municipal or public charging stations. The first thing you need to think about before buying an electric car – is where, how, and with what to charge the battery.
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Types of chargers for electric cars
A person far from electric cars understands that the plug and socket are hardly able to charge the car. All electric car chargers are different. There is no single standard, such as a mini – USB for gadgets. Today, there are 4 types of chargers and several types of connectors that come with chargers and electric cars:
- Mode 1 is the weakest type that provides charging from household mains. The charging time is up to 12 hours. No specialized equipment is needed, you just need an AC outlet and an AC adapter;
- Mode 2 is a variant of the AC charging station, also used in the home. The machine is connected to the domestic power grid using a proprietary cable, which is equipped with protection against voltage fluctuations. The charging time is up to 8 hours and applies to all types of electric cars. It is worth remembering that the chargers are designed only for the European – 220 V or the American standard – 120 V. If a Nissan leaf, for example, was purchased in America. The charger will have to be changed to the European one;
- Mode 3 is the most powerful mode, which is used in charging stations with alternating currents;
- Mode 4 is for charging stations that use direct current. These complexes have power that can be high for several electric cars. However, cars that support this standard charge the battery in half an hour.
Charging stations can also be categorized according to the principle of application:
- For stationary installation, a floor charging station can be installed in an open area;
- Portable charging stations for use in multiple locations, designed for wireless charging;
- For stationary and portable applications, it can be a wall charger for use in the home or a small portable one for attaching to a console.
Advantages of charging stations for electric vehicles
- Fast charging of cars with an electric motor: depending on the capacity, the device can charge an electric car at 100% in half an hour to 3 hours;
- The possibility of remote control: connection to the charger via a smartphone facilitates the process of charging an electric car. This is a particularly useful feature for commercial recharging points;
- Excellent dust and moisture protection: models with the level of protection IP44, IP54, and IP55 can be operated in rooms with high humidity and even outdoors, but under a canopy or shelter. If you buy a charging station for electric cars IP67, you do not have to look for a special place for installation. Such devices are not afraid of any weather precipitation and dust;
- The ability to regulate power consumption: some chargers, equipped with special software, allow you to adjust the level of electricity consumption. It is great when this function has a home charging station for electric cars because this way, you can choose the optimal power for the power grid and prevent sudden outages due to lack of electricity. It is also an excellent choice during wartime when the authorities recommend reducing power consumption to unload the energy system of the country.
Charging stations can operate autonomously or be networked with centralized control. Happy owners of electric cars can buy a charging station for an electric car by choosing the necessary option from the catalog of the online store, for example, at DealerShop.
