An Electric Vehicle Charging Station is a place with equipment that supplies electrical power for charging electric vehicles. Charging Stations are also called Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) and different types of EVSE provide different speeds of charging.

Electric vehicle charging stations work by harnessing electricity from one of several sources, then distributing that power to your vehicle. Depending on an EV’s make and model, there are a few standard plugs that facilitate charging.

With refuelling a vehicle at a petrol pump is second nature for many drivers, having built the habit since they first began driving, the process and requirements for charging an EV are relatively unfamiliar. Following is a compilation of 5 questions related to EV charging stations asked by current and potential EV owners:

Question 1: Why are electric vehicle chargers not standardized?

Most electric cars use the SAE J1772 connector which is the industry standard for all-electric vehicles for performing Level 1 & Level 2 charging. Whether it’s the cord provided with the purchase of your EV or the Level 2 charger in the parking of a mall, the J1772 is going to connect. EV users want their cars to be able to charge everywhere. This requires a common standard connector for charging. Although the J1772 is there, this field is constantly changing & innovating. There is the Japanese CHAdeMo system and the Euro/US CCS system. Tesla has its own supercharger network. The EV charging connector or plug type standard varies across geographies and models.

Question 2: What are the steps for setting up an electric vehicle charging station?

The first big question when it comes to setting up an EV charging station is “how much charging capacity do you want?” For personal consumption, you can install a charger at home. For more details, visit Kazam Mini. If you want to earn additional income by providing EV charging, you can install a charging point at your shop/restaurant etc as well. Visit Kazam 3.3. for more details. Important points to keep in mind:

1. Local regulation requirements.

2. Figuring out the land rights where you want to install the point.

3. Who will be your customers and how will they pay?

4. Which type of charger do you want (Level 2/3 & Connector standard)?

Question 3: If we buy an EV in India, what are the options for charging?

Home charging is the most convenient option. Travel the distance within the range and come back home to charge your EV again. Estimates suggest that 80% of the EV charging currently occurs in personal spaces like homes and then, at the workplace.

Refer to this blog for a detailed view: Where can we charge an electric vehicle in India? 

Many established auto companies (like Tata Motors) and startups (like Kazam) have invested in setting up charging infrastructure in various cities. Then there is an app for locating charging stations ‘EV Plugs’. It has more than 1000 verified listings across 60 cities. The app also gives details regarding the type of charging station you need. To locate your nearest Kazam charging point, visit Charging Station Maps. 

Question 4: How do I locate the nearest electric vehicle charging station in India?

There are many ways to locate your nearest EV charging station in India:

1. e-Amrit web portal: e-Amrit is the government’s web portal on electric vehicles. It helps guide EV owners by providing a “Charging Station Locator”.

2. EV Plugs app: EV Plugs is a privately-owned app that provides the location & details of EV charging stations in 60 cities.

3. Kazam Charging Stations: Kazam provides EV charging facilities in more than 12 cities. You can browse these at Charging Station Maps.

4. Tata Power Charging Network: The ‘Tata Power EV Charging’ mobile app provides the convenience of locating Tata Power EZ charging stations.

Question 5: How to choose an EV Charging Station?

Most EV owners choose to buy a charging station for their homes. There are several factors to consider such as charging speed, installation, location, power supply, space available, ease of use and cost.

With EV charging, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Electric vehicles have different charging capabilities & requirements and every owner also has their own driving needs. Choosing a charging station is a responsible decision where many variables need to be considered in addition to the price. The most important of these is the power output, which should be at least as good as the power of the onboard charger and ideally higher so that it will be sufficient in the future. Most e-cars use the same SAE J1772 plug for charging. This is Level 2 charging.

There are three different levels of charging through which one can charge an electric car. Level 1 is home charging. Public charging stations host Level 2 & 3 charging. Depending on your requirements, one can opt for whichever they require.

Conclusion

If you have any questions regarding Electric Vehicle Charging or Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, visit us at Kazam EV. 

To buy charging points for home/shop/society/workplace etc, visit Kazam Mini & Kazam 3.3. 

To reach out to us for any query, contact us at: support@kazam.in or +91 9958943092.