Recharging an electric car is not as simple as simply connecting it to conventional power. Having a suitable electric vehicle charger is essential to protect the state of the electric car battery and that its charge is optimal, as well as the performance of the car.
Some of the factors involved in the loading process are:
- Kilowatts (kW): charging power of the charger for electric vehicle; Indicates how much energy is supplied to the electric vehicle.
- Amps (A): current intensity. The higher the intensity, the shorter the loading time.
- The type of battery of the electric car.
- The charging point or wallbox installed.
- The type of installation of the electrical system: single-phase and three-phase.
THE BATTERY OF THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE
The battery of the electric car is the most important part of it, in addition to the most expensive, and you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions at all times so as not to damage it.
We recommend that you never completely unload the battery of your electric car and that you go to your charging point when the battery reaches 30%.
In addition, to preserve it, when charging first connect the plug to the wallbox and then to the car.
CHARGING TIME OF AN ELECTRIC CAR
There are 4 standardized charging modes for electric vehicles: type 1, type 2, type 3 and type 4 charging modes. Each of these charging modes supposes a different speed in the load.
The most used and recommended currently for private charging points
is type 3, semi-fast charging, which requires the installation of a charging point or a specific Wallbox. Why is it the most recommended?
- The installation of the Wallbox incorporates protection systems necessary for the protection of the vehicle’s battery in its charge.
- The installation of a charging point or wallbox ensures a higher charging speed than charging your electric vehicle to a conventional outlet.
- It allows a single-phase or three-phase load.
- It has a power of up to 22 kW: the vehicle is charged in 3 or 4 hours.
The type 4 charging mode is the one you will find if you decide to recharge your electric car at a public point or at an electric charging station. This type of charger uses a special connector for fast charging (the CHAdeMO, for example) that is specific to fast charging chargers.
With a power of 44 kW, recharging an electric car to 70% can only take 30 minutes.
THE COST OF RECHARGING AN ELECTRIC CAR
You should consult your energy company if you have to increase the contracted charging power, since the one they normally offer in homes (3.68 kW) is not enough for an effective recharging of electric cars.
→ Electricity companies offer a specific tariff of a maximum power of 10 kW to users of electric cars.
According to data from the Transparency Portal of the Spanish Electricity Network (ESIOS), the average charging price is €0.11/kWh + the Electricity Tax and VAT of 21%. The average total charging price is 0.14 €/kWh.
In addition, you can choose the time of charging of the electric car through the apps that include the chargers themselves. In this way, you save money by recharging the electric car in the time slots with lower energy demand. At night, usually from 22h until 6am, is the period of the day in which the load is most profitable.
Contact us for more information on recharching an electric car chargers and charging point installations. We advise you!