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By | 30 May 2022

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (All You Need to Know)

Fast charging EV station

Fast EV charging station facilities are becoming more widely accessible as the usage of electric cars grows. Despite the COVID-19 epidemic, the worldwide EV charging per cent market was predicted to grow 17 per cent from 2020 to 2021 (from 5.8 to 6.8 billion USD). The market is anticipated to reach 20.5 billion dollars by 2025.

Furthermore, according to the US Department of Energy, there are already over 46 thousand charging outlets accessible in the United States.

FOREWORD

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What Is Fast Charging EV Station?

An electric vehicle charging station is a device that links your vehicle to a power source. Charging stations are critical for EVs since they give the vehicle's "fuel," much as petrol stations do for conventional automobiles.

Charging Stations Types

Charging stations may be found in people's houses as well as vehicle parks. The kind of electricity supplied to your electric vehicle differs significantly between home and public charging stations.

Specifically:

AC power is provided through home charging systems. As a result, your EV will charge the battery using its inbuilt AC-to-DC converter.

Charging stations in public places may provide both AC and DC power. Charging stations will be equipped with a considerably bigger AC-to-DC converter for greater power charging. This electricity bypasses the converter in your EV and delivers pure DC power.

Components of Charging Stations

Charging stations are made up of many major components with defined nomenclature. These components, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), are:

  • Vehicle inlet - The plug on the fast charging EV station that accepts the charging current.
  • Connector - The end of the charging wire that connects to the electric vehicle.
  • Cable - A flexible bundle of conductors that connects an electric vehicle to a charging station.
  • Plug - The end of the wire that connects to the DC fast chargers. This varies by area; in the United States, the plug and socket are permanently attached.
  • Socket outlet - The charging station's socket into which the cable is inserted.

Electric vehicle plug types

  • EV connections, like plugs, have varying designs depending on where they are used. For EVs, this is usually not an issue since normal charging stations allow you to utilise your charging wire.
  • Cables are generally fixed in DC fast-charging stations due to power, cable pricing, weight, and security concerns.
  • A summary of plug kinds by region is shown in the graphic below. The IEC 62196 standard defines all plug types.
  • In the United States, Tesla EVs have their charging outlet. The Tesla Supercharger is a 480V DC fast charging EV station capable of providing up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes.
  • Check out our dedicated post on electric vehicle batteries if you want to learn more.

How Do Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Work?

As shown below, there are three kinds of charging stations that are approved. Each level has a different amount of power and hence a variable charging pace. Level 2 is now the most popular and charges at the same pace as a home system; around the same power as a hair drier or an oven. "DC Fast charger" is another term for Level 3 chargers.

Instructions on How to Charge an Electric Car at a Charging Station?

Because the bulk of charging (80%) occurs at home, you will most likely utilise a home charging station. Simply plug in your vehicle to create an at-home charging station.

Before utilising a public charging station, extra inspections would be required. You'd have to do the following:

  1. Determine the charging level - Use a level 2 or 3 charging station if possible. In general, Level 2 charging outlets are commonly accessible. Level 3 may be utilised, although it is more costly; it is ideal for short top-ups.
  2. Check the plug type - Unless you have a Tesla and need to utilise Tesla's superchargers, this shouldn't be a problem.
  3. Verify the supplier — Charging stations are run by commercial businesses, municipal governments, or public-private partnerships. For some, you may need a real card; for others, you may just use your phone. Many suppliers work together, and stations may be readily located using internet maps like PlugShare and ChargeMap. Some customers have reported problems with public charging stations, including bad charging station design, charging cables that do not reach ports and poor station maintenance.

How Much Does Using An EV Charging Station Cost?

In conclusion, the cost of an at-home charging station varies based on the charger level/material prices, connection method, installation, and brand manufacturer.

A charging station for your house might cost anything from $1,000 to $1,600. Level 3 chargers are often more expensive than Level 2 charges.

There are three price strategies for public charging stations:

  • Pay as you go – This model is based on the amount of time spent, the location, the length of time spent, the charger level, and the cost of commercial power.
  • Subscriptions - While most EV drivers don't want to be tied down by more frequent subscription payments, it's worth looking into for your area. You'd save $0.12 per kWh, according to Electrify America's membership.
  • Public charging fees - The host determines these prices. To promote the usage of their retail and hospitality locations establishments, the site host may provide free charging. In this case, the most popular method is "per the minute," followed by "per session" or "per kWh."

How Do Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Earn Money?

According to the previously outlined business models, EV charging stations often earn money. Profit margins for Fast charging EV station suppliers are also dependent on location and demand.

According to an E Source poll, electric vehicle owners are ready to spend up to $3 per hour of charging. Even though it only costs $0.75 at home, 12% were prepared to spend up to $4 per hour. Furthermore, 7% of EV users said that when they required a charge while out and about, "pricing did not matter."

According to PlugShare, there are several free charging stations accessible. Some shops aim to lure EV users, thus these free stations are offered in general (and make them stay longer). Some cities may also give free EV charging stations to aid in the reduction of pollution.

Which states have the most charging stations for electric vehicles?

  • California is by far the state with the most charging stations, followed by New York and Florida in the United States.
  • It should come as no surprise that California is in the lead in this area, considering the state's high EV sales. In 2018, plug-in EVs accounted for around 8% of all car sales.
  • The number of charging stations and outlets in the top five states in the United States.
  • Statista was used as a source.

Are our electric vehicles charging stations secure?

Users must be aware of possible safety issues while using charging stations since safety is vital. The main danger associated with charging stations is fire. The main fire threat in the building where the charger is situated is due to obsolete electrical wiring and power sources. As a result, the structure must match the charging station's technical specifications. The charger might overheat and catch fire if it isn't wired properly. A temperature sensor may be included in certain EV chargers to detect overheating.

Failure of the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter

To avoid electrical shock, standard EV charging stations are linked to their power supply through a GFCI. GFCIs, on the other hand, have a global failure rate of 57%, according to statistics. Lightning, age, wear, and poor inspection practices are thought to be contributing factors.

Problems with EV Charging Stations and How to Fix Them

What if I'm unable to locate a charging station?

Because 80 per cent of charging takes place at home, this should not be a problem daily.

Can I charge at any station?

Yes, in general, unless you own a Tesla. However, you should verify whether you need to register before using it. Make sure you have the correct plug for the station as well (for Level 2 and Level 3).

Can I charge my car at a public station for free?

You may charge your automobile for free in certain spots. You may look for stations here.

CONCLUSION

While EV charging does not yet provide the same convenience as petrol stations, the technology is highly advanced for existing EV customers. Just make sure you've done your homework on which stations you may use and what they're like before you go (such as plugs and levels). The best option is to charge at home. While this has a high initial cost, it is essential and less expensive in the long run than fossil-fuel vehicles. In general, Level 2 charging outlets are commonly accessible. Level 3 may be utilised, although it is more costly; it is ideal for short top-ups. Keep in mind that parking in cities may already be a problem, and charging station dependability has to be improved.

Efficiency: DC charging stations are increasingly integrated with renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, enhancing the sustainability of EV charging.