Charging an electric car takes a little planning and familiarity with the different options, from the home charger to public charging stations. In this guide you will find the basic information every electric car owner needs.
Planning ahead
Unlike a regular car, where you check the gauge to see how much fuel remains and then fill the tank at a station in minutes, charging an electric vehicle is fundamentally different and requires advance planning because of the time charging takes.
An electric vehicle's charging system
In most electric vehicles, batteries come in different capacities and are located underneath the vehicle near the wheels. These vehicles have a dedicated charging socket and a converter that determines the charging rate according to its power rating. Charging speed is therefore dictated by battery capacity and the converter's power.
When to charge
The usual recommendation is to keep an electric vehicle's charge above twenty percent and below eighty percent. Charging is generally best done at night, with charging settings scheduled through the vehicle or an app.
Where to charge
As noted, the best way to charge an electric vehicle is at a home charging station. If your workplace has charging stations, you can use those as well. Public charging stations are also available, but they are more expensive and require you to wait beside the vehicle until charging is complete.
Type of charging station
An AC station is generally recommended for home charging. It charges the vehicle in four to eight hours and helps preserve battery life. You can also choose a fast DC station, which takes about half an hour, but only if there is no alternative. There are also ultrafast public charging stations, but they are considered less healthy for the battery and are best not used regularly.
Charging costs
At a home AC station, charging costs about nine agorot per kilometer, while fast DC charging costs more, usually around thirty-five agorot per kilometer.
How AC charging works: At a home AC charging station, charging takes place through a charging cable that connects the electricity supply to the vehicle's socket. The socket connects to a converter that converts the alternating current.
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