How Fast Are EV Charging Stations?
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By | 30 May 2022

How Fast Are EV Charging Stations?

How quickly do EV charging stations work?

How fast are EV charging stations? Years ago, the range was the most crucial factor to consider when purchasing an electric vehicle. How many miles could you travel before needing to recharge? Now, the battle is on charging rates, or how long it takes to fully charge a battery pack.

Some automobile manufacturers claim that their electric vehicle chargers can fully charge an EV in as little as 15 minutes. However, rapid charging rates are not just a function of utilizing the quickest EV charger: Even the quickest EV charging stations may be limited by the maximum charging speed of the electric vehicle.

EV Charging Today

EV owners often charge whenever a charging station is available at their parking location. Unlike most owners of gas-powered vehicles, EV owners do not wait until their vehicle is almost empty to "refuel." That means they are always searching for a charging station, although for the time being, the majority of EV charging happens at home.

There are three types of public charging networks: free, pay-as-you-go, and subscription-based. There may be some overlap in this category, such as a network sponsored by a certain automaker that allows owners of that brand's cars to plugin for free, but others must pay to access it.

Currently, the quickest accessible EV chargers are typically found on public networks and can charge an EV to 80 percent capacity in around 30 minutes. There are now three primary types of EV battery chargers, designated as Levels 1, 2, and 3.

• Level 1 charging gives 1,4 kW of electricity at 120 volts. It takes between 17 and 25 hours to completely charge an electric vehicle with a range of 100 miles (160 kilometers). In other words, Level 1 charging occurs at home when an electric vehicle is plugged into an outlet overnight.

• Level 2 chargers provide 208 to 240 volts and 6.2 to 7.6 kilowatts. The same 100-mile electric vehicle supply equipment may be charged at these stations in four to five hours. That is a long time to leave your car battery charging at the grocery store. Until recently, however, these were the primary alternatives accessible to the majority of EV drivers. Consumers may install Level 2 chargers in their homes, and there are a variety of brands and types available. Buyers must confirm the charging capabilities of the charging equipment they purchase is compatible with the automobile model they own.

• Level 3 chargers produce 20 to 50 kW and may recharge a car in as little as 20 minutes, but not all vehicles are compatible with them. Level 3 stations are intended for the general population.

The Tesla Supercharger network, which was created only for Tesla automobiles, is advertised as the benchmark to which all other EV infrastructure should strive. It works at 150 kW, which is sufficient to charge certain vehicles within one hour. In just 30 minutes, the Supercharger, which works at up to 120 kW, can charge a Tesla to 80 percent.

Here is all you need to know about the different kinds of EV chargers and how to choose the quickest EV charger for your electric car.

What is the fastest EV charging station?

How fast are EV charging stations? To determine the world's quickest EV charger, it is necessary to understand how EV charging works. Electric vehicle battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), whereas charging speeds are measured in kilowatt (kW) (kWh).

· Depending on the kind of charger used, the Chevrolet Bolt has a battery capacity of 65 kWh and a maximum charging speed of 55 kW.

· There are three kinds of EV chargers: Level 1, Level 2, and DC rapid chargers. Level 1 refers to a conventional wall plug, whereas Level 2 charging is often provided through home chargers and public charging stations.

·Only a few stations, such as the Tesla Supercharger network, provide DC rapid charging. It is the quickest method to charge your electric car, but it is also the most expensive and might harm your battery if used often.

The fastest electric car charger in the world

How fast are EV charging stations? The quickest EV charger, based only on charging speeds, is the new Terra 360 from ABB, which has a maximum charging speed of 360 kW.

In addition to being the world's quickest EV charger as of 2022, each device includes four different ports, allowing for simultaneous usage by four EVs. Some charging networks, such as Blink and ChargePoint allow you to book a charging station in advance, but with this infrastructure, you may not even need to.

The E-mobility branch of ABB boasts additional features, such as LED lighting and a video screen that shows your battery's State of Charge, in addition to wheelchair-accessible charging stations that make recharging your EV even more comfortable and accessible.

How to Obtain the Quickest EV Charging Rates?

However, it is not accurate to refer to the Terra 360 as the world's quickest EV charger, since most drivers will not be able to use such rates.

This is because three factors impact EV charging times: the charging station's speed, the speed of your car's internal charger, and the charger type or adapter you use to connect to the outlet.

Here is how each of these variables influences the rate at which your EV charges:

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Let's suppose that the battery capacity of your Chevrolet Bolt is 65 kWh. A normal wall outlet is either 120 volts or less than 2 kilowatts. That implies it would take more than 30 hours to fully charge your Bolt!

Fortunately, these rates may be increased by adding a 240-volt Level 2 home charger. These are capable of speeds up to 22 kW and can charge your Bolt in less than ten hours.

If you're in a hurry, you may visit a DC fast charging station for even quicker charging rates. The Blink charging network, for instance, has three charging speeds: 50 kW, 75 kW, and 175 kW.

The Bolt's maximum charging speed is 55 kW, thus even if the charging station can give more DC power, you will be limited to this pace.

At this rate, the Bolt's car's battery pack should reach full capacity in less than an hour.

Onboard Charger Speeds

how fast are EV charging stations? What is the use of a quicker EV charger if your EV can only charge as quickly as its internal system allows? However, some EVs can charge far quicker than the Bolt.

Some Tesla models, for instance, are capable of charging at 250 kW, and there are plans to extend the Tesla Supercharger network to allow even faster-charging rates. In 15 minutes, the Tesla Model S Plaid may get an additional 187 miles of range.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E and Porsche Taycan have comparable charging rates, however, the Lucid Air has a maximum charging rate of over 300 kW.

You cannot subsequently enhance your car's charging speed, so if rapid charging is vital to you, you should investigate these specifications before purchasing a new vehicle.

EV Charger Types

The third factor that might affect your estimated charging time is the kind of charger your EV employs. The majority of modern EVs, including Teslas, are compatible with SAE J1772 Level 2 chargers, which have a maximum charging speed of 19.2 kW.

There are three primary kinds of DC fast chargers: CHAdeMO, CCS, and the Tesla Supercharger. These various kinds of chargers have varying speeds.

The Electrify America network claims that its CCS chargers are capable of 350 kW, however, its CHAdeMO chargers are limited to 50 kW.

However, CHAdeMO says that its most recent protocol can handle speeds of up to 400 kW, and it is developing even faster chargers.

Tesla employs its charger type for rapid charging but provides a J1772 charger for use with Level 2 charging stations, as well as CHAdeMO and CCS adapters.

It's a good idea to bring various adapters with you, just in case your favorite charging network is unavailable; nevertheless, adapters may slow down your charging rates.

Are Fast Charging Speeds Worth It?

For electric vehicle driver who often takes road trips or makes a large number of deliveries, the ability to charge their vehicle rapidly is essential. In the long term, though, installing a Level 2 charger at home will be healthier for the health of your battery electric vehicles and your pocketbook.

Some jurisdictions provide tax credits and other incentives for the installation of a home DC charging station, and you may save money through the combined charging system of your electric car during off-peak hours.

A Level 2 charger can attain rates of around 20 kW, which is slower than the new Terra 360 but sufficient to fully charge a vehicle in only a few hours.

Keep in mind that even fast chargers do not keep their full speed continuously. Most of them slow down around 80 percent State of Charge to prevent the battery pack from overheating.

Fast charging is only worth it if you're under a time constraint, or if you want to brag about your Lucid Air's remarkable charging rates.

Conclusion

Rapid charging speeds are essential, but they are just one factor to consider when purchasing a new vehicle. Other significant considerations are performance and dependability. As electric vehicle charging stations become more ubiquitous, you will have a variety of choices for charging your EV at home and on the road at various charging speeds.

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