As technological advancement continues to grow, we get access to numerous inventions that make our lives easier. Among these are electric cars, which prove them to be more environmentally friendly than traditional vehicles. Of course, along with the use of electric vehicles are a need for chargers.
In the United Kingdom, there are about 42,000 charging point connectors spread across 15,000 locations. These electric car charging areas are more than the number of petrol stations, emphasising the importance of electric car (EV) chargers.
Before you drive down to the nearest charging station, here are some things you need to know to charge your vehicle effectively!
Types of Electric Car (EV) Chargers
Every electric vehicle has a particular plug that works with most EVs. Public charging stations mainly have two classifications of these plugs, which are the Tethered and Untethered Units. Although universal sockets can connect with every EV car, most of them are untethered and thus requires you to bring your charge connector.
Rapid Charger (50kW)
If you are on a lengthy ride, then you will love this EV charger. The Rapid Charger will only take your vehicle about 30 to 45 minutes to be charged from 0% to 80%. The reason behind their speedy charging system is putting the power up to 400 volts DC at 125 Amps (50kW).
In addition to that, Rapid Chargers are often tethered which means it has numerous connector sockets readily available. This is most especially convenient when the charging stations are scarce in your journey. You will most likely find this type of EV charger at motorway services or by the main roads.
Fast Charger (7kW)
This is the most prevelant form of electric car charger, and you will often see them at public car parks, workplaces, shopping centres, and other commercial spaces. A Fast Charger can fully charge your vehicle in about 3 to 5 hours. They can provide 220-240 volts AC at 32 Amps (7kW).
In contrast to the Rapid Charger, Fast Chargers are mostly untethered. A typical fast charger would have the “type 2” socket, which has seven pins. But bring your own charging cable to utilize this charging station.
Slow Charger (2-3kW)
Slow chargers are what the majority uses. For your electric car to be fully charged, it will take about 8 to 12 hours. A Slow Charger provides 220-240 volts AC at 16 Amps (3kW), less than half of the Fast Charger. On a brighter note, Slow Chargers uses the most common plug, the standard 3-pin socket, which makes it more accessible to people. Given the long duration of this charging type, it is most recommended to be done at home, which you can do with the help of the Andersen A2 EV charging device.
BOTTOMLINE
Knowing the various types of EV chargers would be greatly beneficial in effectively charging your vehicles. With this, you will know where to find the most suitable charging station and what you would need to bring. But, it is vital to note that these are public places, and it is still best to charge your vehicles overnight at home to avoid inconvenience.
