BMW Batteries in General

Charge an Electric Car- for Newbies

Charge an Electric Car for Newbies

Charge an Electric Car

With the world gravitating towards green energy, electric cars are gaining popularity. Electric vehicles are preferred because they’re battery-powered instead of using regular fossil fuels. Kudos to you if, like most environmentally conscious people, you are looking to Charge an Electric Car. But some people are hesitant to buy one because they worry about the lack of charging stations and are unfamiliar with how to charge them. But don’t fret because we’re here to help you.

For your convenience, this article provides a simple guide on how to charge an electric car. So, read on for the insight.

Charge an Electric Car

The Charging System

Unlike petrol or diesel cars, which you fill up with liquid fuel, how to Charge an Electric Car is quite different. Because electric vehicles run on batteries, you need to recharge them whenever possible to keep them optimal. 

Car battery charging is a bit like cell phone charging. It’s not accomplished in minutes but may require a bit more time. It means electric vehicle drivers have to find a means to recharge their cars whenever they’re parked. So, if you drive an electric car, you have to park in places with charging stations. Fortunately, charging stations have been installed in malls and other establishments, allowing EV owners to charge their vehicles at any time. EV charger installations from BOXT and many others offer such dedicated charging systems for electric cars.

Charge an Electric Car

How Long It Takes To Charge

Timing to Charge an Electric Car could take between 30 minutes and over 12 hours. Electric vehicles typically have 60 kW batteries. The time it takes to charge usually depends on the type of battery in your car or the charging speed at your charging point. These take less than eight hours to fully charge at a charging port with at least seven kilowatts. 

The faster you can Charge an Electric Car, the more kilowatts your charging port gives you. A rapid charging port with 50 kW can add 100 miles to your car after a 30-minute charge. As with your other devices that work on batteries, it would be wiser to recharge whenever you can instead of waiting for it to run out completely. How long does it take to charge an electric car.

Where To Charge

Unlike cell phones or other standard electronic devices, battery-powered cars have unique charging ports. These dedicated ports are specially installed to charge vehicles. They have the recommended electrical output for your car, which minimises any potential safety risks for you and your vehicle. 

Most dedicated charging ports are found at:

  • home 
  • work 
  • service stations 
  • public parking areas

As more and more people choose electric cars, we can expect that the number of charging stations will also grow to meet the demand. It should be a good thing for the convenience of EV users because they don’t have to worry about running out of battery anywhere they go.

Charge an Electric Car
Cars With Solar Panels

Charging At Home

Because to Charge an Electric Car requires time, it’s best to do it overnight. Therefore, home charging is convenient because you spend most nights at home. 

If you have a safe and secure place to park, you could have a dedicated home charging port installed at home. Most home charging ports will have the following features: 

  • A fast charging speed of 10 to 30 miles per charging hour
  • Built-in safety features
  • Smart monitoring and charge control systems
  • Universal plug-in sockets
  • Universal charging cables

If you don’t have a charging port set up in your home, you could use a regular electric socket, but this isn’t recommended. A standard home socket takes much longer to charge and has no recommended safety features.

Charge an Electric Car

Charging At Work

Most modern buildings now have electric vehicle charging stations for their occupants. You could charge your car at work if the facility is there. Doing it at work can be pretty convenient because you typically park your vehicle for several hours while you work.

Charging ports at work are similar to charging systems at home, but they may have more kilowatts to charge faster.  Depending on the system installed by your organisation, you could plug in and charge your car, or there could be a card-swiping system or an access app used to charge your vehicle.

Charging In Public Places

Depending on where you live, you could charge your car at public places with charging ports. Most cities have charging ports at parking lots, retail parks, supermarkets, gyms, and other areas. 

Public places are ideal for quick battery top-ups for an hour or so. They’re mostly offered for free by companies as an incentive to get clients to their premises. If you intend to charge your car in a public area, you may need to bring your charging cable because most won’t offer it.

Charge an Electric Car
© Can Stock Photo / pitinan

Charging At A Service Station

Service stations are ideal for en-route fast charging. Electric vehicle charging ports can also be found at service stations and other areas. For such facilities, you would have to make a payment based on the power you need. You don’t have to bring your cable to service stations, as they often provide it.   

Summary

How to Charge an Electric Car is quite simple. You just need a designated charging point, and you’re good to go. Charging points can be at your home, a service station, a public place, or at work. You could use your charging cable, which comes with your electric car, or the one provided by the charging service provider. Also, depending on where you are, charging can be paid for or free.

eric roberts
Follow me