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How charging an electric car works?
2019-08-21 - Updated 2024-02-08
With an electric car, you can finally say goodbye to oil companies! No more time spent at the gas pumps on hurried mornings and no more weekly gas expenses, all this is now behind you by going electric!
But in fact, how does recharging an electric car work? What are the different types of charging stations? In this article, BEQ Technology goes over the question with you!
How does charging an electric car work?
As you can imagine, an electric car works differently from a gasoline car. The electric car, no longer needing oil to function, is therefore supplied with energy by a charging station that sends the energy to the charger on board the car. The charger transfers the energy to the battery, which supplies all the car's components.
Charging an electric car: what types of home charging stations are available?
More than 90% of electric car recharging is done at home. Having a charging station at home has become a must for any EV owner. There are 3 types of charging stations in Quebec: level 1, 2 and 3 (BRCC).
Level 1 charging station
The level 1 charging station is the one that comes standard with any electric vehicle. It plugs into a standard 120-volt wall outlet. It is also the one that offers the slowest charging (about 6km per hour of charging).
With a level 1 charging station, your electric vehicle will take more than 20 hours to charge, that's almost a full day! The level 1 station can be used if you only drive occasionally. It can also be used in case of emergency as it is portable. That being said, for a more efficient, fast and reliable charge, the level 2 station is a much better option for those who use their vehicle on a daily basis.
Level 2 charging station
Level 2 charging stations are a must for charging an electric vehicle at home. They allow a recharge up to 7 times faster than the level 1 stations (about 40 km per hour of recharge). Thus, your electric car will be fully charged in only 3 to 9 hours. This is a considerable time saving compared to the level 1 charging station. We plug it in before going to bed and our car is charged when we leave for work the next morning.
Level 2 charging stations require an installation by a certified electrician and must be powered by a 240 volt outlet. Most are not portable except for the EVduty. A terminal model with a plug to plug into an outlet will allow you to occasionally use another device in that outlet if needed. Moreover, because of the cold climate in Quebec, the level 2 terminal is even more advantageous since it allows for preheating, which also increases autonomy.
Level 3 charging station (BRCC)
For those who need ultra-fast charging, Level 3 charging stations, also known as DC charging stations, allow for 400-volt charging. You can get an 80% charge in just 30 minutes (depending on the size of your battery). This is the type of station that is often found in commercial parking lots or along highways.
However, these fast charging stations should be used occasionally, as they tend to affect the health of the battery by decreasing its maximum charging capacity if used too frequently or in hot weather.
At BEQ Technology, we are proud to offer you the largest selection of Level 2 charging stations and the largest network of certified installers. If you have any questions or would like assistance or a quote, our experts are available to you. Be part of the change!
