How do electric charging stations work ?A technical guide

Electric mobility and popularity of electric vehicles has been growing rapidly over the last decade.Electric vehicles can help us reduce carbon emissions and build a more sustainable future.

One of the biggest concerns for electric vehicle (EV) owners is knowing when and how to charge their vehicle.So whether you’re the owner of an EV or looking to add a public EV charging station to your commercial property, here are just a few things you should know about how an EV charger works.

What is an electric charging station?

The charging station is a device that allows you to charge an EV safely with maximum efficiency. It is made up of various equipment. Unlike a household socket, the electrical terminal ensures the safety of goods (vehicle, electrical installation) and people.

There are different charging levels, cable modes, plug types, there are different flows of charge (AC or DC), a wide range of battery capacity possibilities, estimated actual range, power output of a charging station, different charging speeds ,how fast is fast charging really? And what is rapid or even ultra-fast charging?

How does EV charging work?

An EV charger pulls an electrical current from either a 240v outlet or the grid it’s hardwired to and delivers that electricity to the vehicle, just like any other appliance or device you charge by plugging into the wall.

What are the different types of electric charging?

To charge your electric car using an electric terminal, you can benefit from several types of charging:

Slow charging

Fast Charging

Ultra fast charging

the higher the charging level, the higher the power output and the faster it will charge your electric car.

How are EV charging stations powered?

There are two types of electrical currents important when it comes to EV charging: Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC).

Alternating current -The electricity that comes from the grid and is accessible through the domestic sockets in your home or office is always AC.Because AC electricity can be transported over long distances efficiently, it is the global standard we all know and have direct access to.

Direct current -The electricity that is stored in batteries or used in the actual power circuitry inside electric devices is direct current.

when you plug an electric device into your socket, it will always receive alternating current. However, batteries in electric devices store direct current. The AC power that comes from the grid is converted inside the vehicle by an onboard converter and stored in the battery as DC electricity—where it powers your vehicle from.

Different EV charging levels

 level 1 charging

This is the slowest (yet most accessible) way to charge an electric car.

Level 1 charging is done by plugging the cord that came with your electric vehicle into your regular wall outlet.

level 2 charging

Level 2 EV charging stations are usually found in public or commercial parking spaces, at the office, or in residential areas. These charging stations are a lot faster than level 1 chargers. Level 2 charging stations are separate stations that offer relatively fast charging speeds

Level 3 EV charging

The battery inside an electric car only stores DC energy. So, this means that when using a level 3 charger, the conversion from AC (from the grid) to DC happens within the charging station itself. A level 3 charging station is typically quite large. This is because it needs to house substantial converters to be able to convert AC power a lot faster than regular on board converters inside electric cars.

Types of Charging cables

Charging cables are an essential part of charging an electric vehicle. Charging cables come in four forms or “modes”. Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3, and Mode 4 charging cables.

Mode 1 charging cables

With a Mode 1 cable, you simply connect an EV to a standard AC socket-outlet using an extension cord and standard plug.

There is no communication between the vehicle and the charging point, meaning that there are no special safety systems

Mode 2 charging cables

This is an alternative method to be used as a temporary or transitional solution, before more sophisticated methods become more common.

Mode 3

Mode 3 is the recommended alternative method for everyday charging and includes important smart features, such as an ICT connection between the EV and charging equipment, so charging can be controlled during a charging event.

Mode 4

Mode 4 is a DC charging method, in which an external charger allows very fast charging speeds. You can classify 4 different charging modes according to the level of communication between the electric vehicle and the electrical system and the control you can have over the charging process.

What types of electric car charging sockets are there?

Socket type 1:

The type 1 plug is a single-phase plug that allows charging power levels up to 7.4 kW (230 V, 32 A).

Socket type 2:

This type of plug is considered the standard model. In private areas, charge levels up to 22 kW are common, while charge levels up to 43 kW (400 V, 63 A, AC) can be used at public charging stations. Most public charging stations are equipped with a type 2 socket.

Socket type 3:

This type of plug is rarely used. But there are still terminals equipped with type 3.

Socket type 2 combined plugs (combined charging system or CCS):

The CCS plug is an improved version of the Type 2 plug, with two additional power contacts intended for fast charging, and supports AC and DC charging power levels (alternating and direct current charging levels) up to 170 kW. In practice, the value is usually around 50 kW.

Type 4 or CHAdeMO socket:

This fast-charging system was developed in Japan and enables charging capacities of up to 50 kW at suitable public charging stations.

Conclusion

Electric vehicles represent cutting-edge technology and offer a solution to some of the world's most pressing pollution problems. Installing electric vehicle charging stations has both financial and environmental benefits, as well as long-term benefits for your brand. By installing charging stations, you are supporting technology that will make this planet a cleaner place to live. India is embracing electric mobility by offering financial incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles, investing in ever-evolving electric vehicle technology, and developing new electric charging stations.