{"id":11092,"date":"2022-10-17T20:05:18","date_gmt":"2022-10-17T20:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sitelogiq.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=11092"},"modified":"2024-11-25T18:38:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T18:38:46","slug":"ev-charging-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sitelogiq.com\/blog\/ev-charging-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"EV Charging Explained and Opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"EV<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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In 2010, six electric car models<\/a> were available to the American public. By 2024, there will be more than 134 models available, and this number continues to rise. With many Americans looking for ways to combat rising gas prices and electric cars becoming more affordable, going electric is becoming a priority for many consumers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations allows your business to reap numerous benefits and establish opportunities for value creation to put you ahead of the competition. Installing EV chargers can be a complicated undertaking. We will guide you through the entire process to ensure your EV charging adoption is successful.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What Is EV Charging?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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An EV charger pulls an electrical current from the primary power grid and delivers this current to an electric vehicle through a connector or plug to power the motor.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Since non-hybrid varieties of EVs do not require gasoline, EV drivers have different fueling habits than drivers with gasoline-powered cars. Drivers of gasoline-powered vehicles fuel their tanks about once a week since they have to go out of their way to refuel, and the most time-efficient choice is to refuel when their tank is nearly empty.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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EV charging is an entirely different process because electricity is more accessible. It can take five seconds to plug in a vehicle, and many charging stations are at people\u2019s homes or in public places drivers regularly visit, such as the office or public parking garages.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Many EV drivers will charge their vehicles opportunistically, which is the process of plugging into stations when they are available nearby. While most drivers will plug in their car each time they arrive home to top off their battery, opportunistic drivers plug in anywhere at any time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What Are EV Charging Stations?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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An EV charging station<\/a> uses electrical power to charge electric vehicles. EV owners can install a charging station at home or use public chargers often located in community parking lots, shopping centers and other high-traffic areas. A charging station can offer AC or DC power, where DC chargers convert AC power from the grid. If chargers offer an AC supply, it will need to be converted to DC before the vehicle’s battery can store it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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How do EV Charging Stations Work?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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directly to the vehicle, similar to how you would charge an appliance or device. An electric vehicle then stores the electricity in a large battery pack to power the motor.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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After a customer signs into the system, they will open the charging port and plug in their vehicle. While their car charges, the display will show how much electricity and money they have spent. They may unplug the charger when their car is fully charged and continue driving.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Types of Electric Vehicles<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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There are three main electric vehicles available:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)<\/a> combines an internal combustion engine (ICE)<\/a> with a battery pack and electric motor to lower fuel consumption. An HEV can utilize this combination by using an electric motor to power the car during situations in which the ICE by itself would be inefficient, such as accelerating after a stop. Hybrid vehicles also utilize the ICE unit during certain conditions such as driving on the highway.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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HEVs primarily rely on gasoline power. HEV technology will automatically charge the battery through regenerative braking, which activates the motor, meaning that drivers do not have to monitor their charge or plug their car into a power outlet to charge. However, this battery is not enough to power the car entirely, so the driver will still have to put gas into the car. HEV\u2019s cannot be plugged into an EV charger.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV)<\/a> combine an ICE with a battery pack and electric motor. The electric system generally takes on more driving responsibility when the car is in motion, leading to larger battery packs and more powerful motors. Having these more powerful electric motors allows one to switch the ICE off completely and rely only on electricity to power the vehicle.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Driving a PHEV is comparable to driving a hybrid vehicle, as the battery will recharge automatically and the vehicle will switch between the electric power source and the ICE depending on driving needs. However, drivers can fuel their PHEV with gasoline or electricity, which means that the vehicle can operate on electricity for short distances if the battery is full or on gasoline, if the battery is depleted. PHEV\u2019s can be plugged into an EV charger.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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A battery electric vehicle or an all-electric vehicle<\/a> only runs on electricity and draws energy from onboard battery packs. BEVs do not contain an ICE and run completely on electricity for a larger battery capacity. Since a BEV requires additional technology to support the battery, BEVs often cost more than other electric vehicles. Drivers can charge BEVS on a home charging station or a public charging station and recoup energy through regenerative braking. BEV\u2019s must be plugged into an EV charger.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Types of Chargers<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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A Level 1 charger is a 120-volt outlet an electric vehicle driver can plug into their home or garage. New PHEVs tend to have a Level 1 charger<\/a>, and most PHEVs can reach a full charge overnight using a Level 1 charger. However, level 1 chargers are insufficient for the needs of most BEVs due to their slow charge since they only add about 4 miles of range per hour. Many EV drivers only use them as a backup.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Level 2 chargers are charging stations available in public spaces such as parking lots. While charging times will vary depending on the vehicle, they are generally faster than wall outlets and ideal for everyday use. Using a Level 2 charger, BEVs can fully recharge in four to 10 hours<\/a>, while PHEVs can fully recharge in one to two hours.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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A rapid charger, DC fast charger, and Tesla supercharger are all considered Level 3 chargers. A Level 3 charger allows the driver to recharge their EVs to 80% battery within an hour. A Level 3 charger is typically found at public charging stations and offers super fast charging, making it ideal for longer trips or whenever an EV owner needs a quick charge. PHEVs cannot use Level 3 charging.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Among these three levels of chargers, there are also connected AKA \u201csmart\u201d and non-connected chargers. A smart EV charger is a system where the electric vehicle and charging device share a data connection through an app and charging operator. A non-connected charger doesn’t offer cloud connectivity. Using smart charging systems allows charging station owners to charge for the electricity and monitor, manage, and restrict device use to optimize energy consumption.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What You Need to Know About EV Charging for Commercial Real Estate<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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As the number of electric vehicles on the road continues to grow, the demand for faster charging stations also continues to increase. Before installing a charging station at your business, it’s essential to consider the following factors:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Consider Install Costs<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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The installation cost of your charging station will vary depending on the type and number of chargers and whether your business intends to install a Level 2 or a Level 3 charger. Some other installation costs to consider include:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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