Posted by Parts4Sale on 27th Sep 2023
Electric Car & Charging Guide
Electric cars have been around for a while, but they are quickly gaining popularity as more people become aware of their environmental benefits and the cost savings associated with them. However, one common concern that still lingers is the issue of charging. How do you charge an electric car? What kind of charging stations are available? And how long does it take to fully charge an electric car? These are just a few of the questions that come to mind. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at electric car types & charging, We will explore the various options available to electric car owners. Whether you're a seasoned electric car driver or just curious about how it all works, this guide will help you understand everything you need to know about charging your electric vehicle. So, let's dive in and explore the world of electric car charging!
What is the difference between electric cars and hybrids?
Not all ‘electrified’ cars are electric. In fact, there are four basic types of electrified vehicles.
Electric vehicle (EV)
A pure EV or battery-electric vehicle (BEV) has at least one electric motor powered by batteries that are recharged. Most modern EVs can cover between 130 miles.
and 400 miles on a single charge, depending on the car and battery size. This distance is called the range.
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
A plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) uses batteries to power an electric motor, but also has a petrol or diesel engine as a ‘back-up’ power source. Batteries are charged in the same way as an EV, but the all-electric range is much smaller.
Hybrid (HEV)
A hybrid is similar to a PHEV in that it uses both electric and ICE power sources. The key difference is that its batteries cannot be externally recharged. The engine is the main source of power, while the batteries are used at low speeds to save fuel.
Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)
An FCEV uses hydrogen as a power source. When hydrogen is mixed with oxygen, electricity is created to power the car. The refuelling time and range are similar to an ICE vehicle, but the infrastructure is limited.
How to charge your electric car
Electric car charging doesn’t need to be confusing,there are three ways to charge an electric car:
At home
At work
At a public charging point
Home charging
Charging each night at home will provide all the daily driving range the average driver will need.
You can charge using a regular domestic three-pin socket, but a dedicated home EV charger is a much better – and faster – option. typically deliver around 7kW of power. In contrast, most vehicle manufacturers limit the current drawn from a standard domestic 3 pin socket to 10A or less, which equates to a maximum of 2.3kW.
A 7kW home charger therefore delivers approximately three times as much power and is approximately three times as fast as using a domestic socket.
Slow charge connectors:
3-pin 3kW AC
Type 1 3-6kW AC
Type 2 3-6kW AC
Commando 3-6kW AC
Fast charge connectors:
Type 2 7-22kW AC
Type 1 7kW AC
Commando 7-22kW AC
Rapid charge connectors:
CHAdeMo 50kW DC
CCS 50-350kW DC
Type 2 43kW AC
Tesla Type 2 120kW DC
If you don’t have private parking, an EV may still be a practical option for you – particularly if you have charge points at your place of work or a public charger near your home.
Workplace charging
Workplace charging points make electric cars more viable for commuters who live a distance away from their location of work.
If your work doesn’t have an electric vehicle charge point installed, it could take advantage of the Government's Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS).
Public charging
Public EV chargers can be found at service stations, car parks, supermarkets, cinemas and simply at the side of the road.
Public chargers at service stations fulfil the role of petrol and diesel forecourts and are best suited for longer journeys. Such a rapid charging unit provides up to 80% of charge in as little as 20-30 minutes.
The network of public chargers continues to grow. Zap-Map reports a total of 25,258 charging points at 15,903 different locations nationwide at the time of writing (August 2021).
There are a number of public EV charging networks in the UK, each one taking a slightly different approach to charger access.
Electric Highway charge points that have not yet been replaced need to register their details via a smartphone app, which is used to control the charging process.
Public charging point
If you are planning to rely on public EV charging, make sure you’re signed up to the correct network for any chargers you plan on using. There are several resources that allow you to check ahead, both for the location of chargers and the network running them. This can be important, as some network providers charge a hefty authorisation fee. It will be refunded, but can take some time.
Are all EVs compatible with all chargers?
Most EVs and chargers in the UK are compatible. But for non-rapid charging you usually have to supply your own cable, which may come with your vehicle.
For non-rapid charging, EVs available in the UK will either have the above Type 1 inlet socket or Type 2 inlet socket.
Luckily, your EV should be supplied with a cable that has the plug it requires, and at the infrastructure (charger) end, the cables are all compatible.
Rapid chargers use what are known as tethered cables – i.e. they are permanently connected to, and cannot be removed from, the charging unit.
In the UK most rapid chargers have two cables providing the two most popular rapid charge connectors (CHAdeMO and CCS), so you simply select and use the one that fits your EV.
How do I know which chargers my EV can use?
If you have an EV you will know – from your dealer, lease company or handbook – what type of charging port it has.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
To fully charge an electric car at home it typically costs around £6. charge an EV to 80% at a public rapid charger (the level you normally would here) it usually costs between £7 and £10, this varies depending on the location, tariff, energy cost, battery capacity, charging speed and charge level. However, charging an EV far undercuts fuel costs for a petrol or diesel car.
Always check your car's handbook and the charging network provider’s website for more specific information.
How to find electric car charging points
Zap-Map has a useful app that shows you the location of charging points across the UK.
Many electric cars also have sat nav that recognises these locations and can direct you to those within range.
Electric Car Charging Cable, Buy Your EV Cables From Us,
Mode 3 chargers are AC chargers for at a wall box or public charging station which are directly connected to the power grid with communication between the charging station and the vehicle.
Mode 2 chargers are chargers for household sockets with communication between the socket and the vehicle having to take place through an in-cable-control-box (ICCB).
If a charger states it is universal, then it can be used for both above applications.
https://www.parts4sale.co.uk/accessories/electric-vehicle-charging-cable/
If you are unsure of the part number you require, contact us using the below and our dedicated team will assist you find all the parts you need to get the job done: