Electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity, and sales are projected to continue rising, with an estimate of around 10 million purchases by 2025. The innovative technology that goes into the design of these cars makes them an attractive prospect, so it’s no wonder people are showing interest. However, before using an EV, it’s crucial to know how to charge the car. Here are the different types of charging systems for home and commercial charging.
Types of Charging Systems
There are a wide variety of options you can use when charging your EV. Blink offers powerful charging solutions for your home or workplace, but what are all of the options available? Let’s first consider the differences in charging in electrical currents.
EV Charging Stations
AC Level 1 and Level 2 EV Charging
AC Charging, or Alternating Current, generally refers to the electrical current you use when charging at your home or AC public charging stations. This method uses a wall box you can install in your homes like the Blink HQ 200 or a public charging station like the Blink IQ 200. The onboard inverter (also known as an onboard charger) in your EV then changes the electricity coming from the charger from AC to DC, which can be stored in your battery.
Level 1 or Level 2 chargers use AC electricity to charge your vehicle slower than DC fast chargers, but for a reduced cost for power and generate a reduced load on the electrical grid.
Level 1 chargers use a 15A circuit and a standard 120V wall socket to charge to add an estimated 2-5 miles of range to your vehicle per hour. Level 2 chargers use up to a 100A circuit and a single phase 240V of power to offer charging speeds of up to 19.2 kW, adding an estimated 40-65 miles of range to your vehicle per hour. Level 2 charging is considered a standard or daily charging type.
Level 1 cords are sometimes included with your vehicle, but upgrading to a Level 2 charger should be the priority due to the faster charging speeds.
DC Fast Charging
Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) is becoming more and more widely available to the public. This method bypasses the onboard inverter in your vehicle, leading to higher currents and faster charging times. These stations offer speeds ranging from 30kW to ultra-fast stations offering up to 360 kW. On average, a DCFC can charge your electric vehicle from 20% to 80% charge within 40 minutes.
Blink offers multiple DC Fast Chargers to fit any location's needs. Several charging stations are found in public parking lots near shopping centers, government buildings, or street-side retail centers. These stations often have a CHAdeMO (Charge de Move) or CCS (Combined Charging System) plug used to charge most vehicles. Learn more about EV charging plugs.
Wireless
While these charging systems are still in development and not mainstream, they are being explored further. The basis of the Wireless Charge system is a charging pad plugged into an AC wall box that uses electromagnetic waves to charge your car. However, the current is still low, with capabilities recorded of up to 11 kW.
Wireless charging is an interesting upcoming technology but is not compatible with most electric vehicles.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative Braking may not charge your EV from 0% to 100%, but this PHEV and BEV feature can boost your range. Many EVs now utilize regenerative braking, which is when the EV converts energy from braking into electricity to charge the battery as you’re driving. Different levels of regenerative braking determine how much power is converted and how high the electric current that travels to your battery. This can add a few miles of range to your vehicle on your regular commute depending on the distance and driving habits, but free power and more range is always welcome!
Blink Charging Solutions
Blink Charging offers EV drivers and location owners a variety of charging solutions that are designed to work with all plug-in EVs including Hyundai Ioniq 5, Chevy Bolt EUV, and Tesla (may require an adapter).
The Blink Network adds incredible value to a location host’s EV charging stations. The Blink Network adds the capability for a host to manage their charger remotely, set customizable pricing options, and view detailed reports for all their chargers in one place. Blink even offers a user-friendly Blink Charging Mobile App that gives drivers access to the Blink Network.
Blink aims to make EV charging more accessible globally, developing charging infrastructure and advanced equipment that can be readily added to any location. Below, here are the three main types of charging locations.
Home Charging
As stated before, Level 1 home charging takes longer, as it transfers electricity at a slower rate. Level 1 charging is commonly known as “Trickle Charging”. While it usually doesn’t require any additional equipment, as the cable with a standard 120V plug comes with your EV, it can cause problems with your electricity bill and outlets, so it’s not always recommended.
Using a dedicated Level 2 residential EV charger is the best at-home charging method, as it can minimize costs and is many times faster than Level 1 charging. Chargers like the Blink HQ 200 ensure you can fully charge your car in an estimated six hours, whereas a Level 1 charger could take you 30 or more hours.
Private Charging
The next main type of EV charging location is the private workplace or apartment. 80% of EV drivers charge at home, but Americans do not live in single-family homes. These drivers need EV chargers at apartments or EV chargers at work to keep their vehicles charged.
Commercial Level 2 charging stations are perfect for home and work locations because vehicles are typically parked overnight or throughout the work day. With the Blink Network, property managers can limit access to private chargers to ensure that only approved residents or employees can use the charging stations.
Similarly, fleet depots may use the Blink Network to reserve their EV fleet chargers for fleet vehicle use.
Public Charging
While charging your EV at home is incredibly convenient and cost-effective, Level 2 and DCFC stations are available in public locations you already visit. Charge your car on a public Level 2 charging station while grocery shopping or while exploring the mall.
If charging at home isn’t an option, save time and money by using Level 2 charging stations in locations you already frequent, leaving the faster (and more expensive) DCFC for times when you need to get back on the road quickly.
DC Fast Charging stations are essential long road trips. Legislation, such as NEVI, is incentivizing more locations near highways and high-trafficked roadways to add DCFCs and make long-range EV road trips more convenient.
Don’t leave home without the Blink Charging Mobile App! Quickly search for chargers in your area, whether a charging station is compatible with your EV, how long it’ll take to charge your car, and whether it’s currently available for use.
Drive Your EV Without Worries
Electric vehicles represent the future of the automotive industry, providing ground-breaking technology and more cost-effective solutions across the board. EV adoption rates are skyrocketing, so it’s vital to understand how you can charge your EV. Like a gas car running on gas, having access to a charging station is required, but imagine rarely having to go to a place only to fuel your vehicle. These charging stations can be located in your home or in public, with Blink supplying both types. Blink offers home chargers that make it easy and convenient to charge overnight, or when your car would normally be parked at home. Blink also offers DC fast charging stations across the country, reducing any anxiety or hesitancy you may have to go electric.