Someone has to consider a lot of different aspects such as connector type, power rating, vehicle specifications and the requirements of the charging cable.
Types of EV Charging.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging is an important aspect of owning an Electric Vehicle (EV). Someone has to consider a lot of different aspects such as connector type, power rating, vehicle specifications and the requirements of the charging cable.
Level 1 – Slow Chargers: are those rated between 2,3 kW to 3,7kW and are suitable for overnight charging or in cases of emergency.
Level 2 – Fast Chargers: cover those chargers rated between 7 kW to 22kW (single or three-phase 32A). The time of charging an EV is depending on the on-board charger of each vehicle, as well as, on other factors such as ambient temperature and any upper and lower charge restrictions protecting the battery life. Level 2 chargers are suitable for charging at home or work.
Level 3 – Rapid Chargers: is the fastest way to charge an EV and are mostly cover DC charging. The rapid DC chargers cover chargers rated between 50 kW to 400+ kW. The most common DC chargers for charging a conventional EV are of 50 kW to 60 kW. Level3 are suitable mostly for commercial and public use.
EV Charging Connector Types.
Slow Chargers: The connector type of a slow charger can be either a regular electricity socket or a type 2 or type 1 connector.
Rapid Chargers: The fast chargers can be either tethered (the charging cable is attached to the charging station) or untethered. In the tethered charging stations only EVs compatible with the specific connector type can be charged. The connector type which is by far the most common in Europe, is Type 2 although some EVs like Nissan Leaf are suitable with Type 1.
Rapid Chargers: Rapid DC chargers are using either the CHAdeMO or the CCS charging standards. CCS is the most common connector type used in Europe although some EVs are using CHAdeMO.
