Government Policys Effect On Public Charging Stations
While roughly 80% of electric car charging happens at home, the other 20% comes down to charging on the go. There was no federal standard for providing universal car charging stations publicly in the United States until 2022, when President Bidens administration proposed a plan in June to establish minimum standards as part of its initiative to fund and build a network of half a million electric car charging stations by 2030. In comparison, according to the U.S. Department of Energys Alternative Fuels Data Center, there are about 53,000 total public charging stations with 138,000 EVSE ports spread across the country. Most of the new stations being funded by the federal government will provide Level 2 charging.
The Biden administrations proposal is part of bipartisan legislation passed by Congress with $50 trillion meant to help curb the effects of climate change, with a lot of that money earmarked for making public electric car charging stations. The new standards set by the White House will require a unified charging network with similar payment systems, charging speeds and pricing information that is available to track in real time. These standards and the large increase in public charging stations are meant to add convenience for drivers, encouraging Americans to switch from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric alternatives.
How To Set Up A Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station The Fast Charging Edition
As electric vehicle use spreads, demand for moreand fastercharging stations will grow too.
So far, when businesses have looked at installing electric vehicle charging, most have opted to go for slower, Level 2 charging which provides most vehicles with about 20 miles of charge in an hour. As the number of electric vehicles grows, however, and as their range/battery capacity increases, there’s a high likelihood that drivers will have more demand for faster-charging options too. It’s one thing, after all, to sit around for an hour or so to “fill up” your 80-mile Nissan Leaf. It’s quite another if you need to replenish 200+/300+ miles of range in your Tesla or Chevy Bolt.
So what does it take to install a DC fast charging station that’s open to the public? We got on the phone with Chris Bowyer, Director of Building Operations at The Alliance Center in the Lower Downtown neighborhood of Denver, to find out. The Alliance Centerwhich offers LEED Platinum-certified office space to 50 mission-driven organizationsrecently took the plunge and installed a ChargePoint Express 200 50kw charging station in its parking lot, which it made available to the general public.
How To Install A Car Charging Station At Home
The most convenient places to top off are the places where your electric vehicle will be parked most often: home and work. At home, youll want a Level 2 charger, which requires 240-volt power reasonably close to the car.
Drivers who park in a private garage or even a driveway will likely have no issues. The 240-volt electricity is generally easy to add to a garage. The plug needed for a charger is the same as an electric clothes dryer.
A brief survey of electricians across the country found an average installation cost of around $250 for a 240-volt outlet. However, numerous factors can make this estimate more expensive. That said, many new homes get built with accommodation for electric cars.
From there, you will need to pick out a charger plan to spend between $400 and $700. The charger plugs into your new 240-volt outlet and features a cable that plugs into your car. Longer cables are available for most chargers for drivers who need the charger inside a garage but must park outside.
Drivers who park on the street or use apartment garages may need to come up with another solution. Municipalities generally frown upon a charging cable stretching across the sidewalk to a car, and installing your charger in a multistory garage is, of course, a no-go.
Read More About Electric Cars:
Recommended Reading: Tesla Model 3 Ppf Cost
Advantages And Challenges Of Evs
EVs have many advantages over conventional gasoline vehicles.
-
Energy efficient. EVs convert about 59%-62% of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels. On the other hand, conventional vehicles only convert 17-21% of energy stored in gasoline to power at the wheels . This means that EVs are cheaper to operate. With $1, EVs can travel more than twice as far as a gasoline-powered vehicle .
-
Environmentally friendly. EVs emit no air pollutants, but the power plant that produces the electricity may emit them if they are using conventional energy sources such as coal or natural gas. Electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind produces no air pollutants.
-
Performance. Electric motors are quiet, operate smoothly, and provide stronger acceleration. Additionally, they require less maintenance than a conventional engine.
-
Reduced energy dependence. Because electricity is a domestic energy source, EVs reduce dependence on foreign energy sources.
However, there are still several challenges that EVs face, mostly related to battery technology:
Find Your Perfect Electric Car
Using our EV search tool, you can choose what type of electric car you want, and add in your specific preferences, to get a list of electric cars that will suit your needs and wants. Every model presented will show you information on charging, from the time it takes for a full home charge, to how long it takes for a quick rapid charge . As well as info on range, battery, connector, and everything else.
Don’t Miss: Buy Used Tesla Model S
What About Motorway Services
Most drivers do an average of 20 miles a day, which means most people can simply charge at home for all of their regular driving, and its only for long trips that charging en route is needed. Therefore its good to know a bit about charging at services for people who are new to EVs and planning to buy an electric or hybrid car.
The only provider of motorway charging points in the UK is Ecotricity, who have partnered with Gridserve to develop the Electric Highway Europes first nationwide charging network. Currently it has 145 public stations at motorway and A-road services, providing around 300 individual chargers. These cost £6 for 30 minutes .
The government is planning to invest £1bn in charging points at motorway service stations, which should see more providers and possibly more competition on pricing, and it will see at least six high-power chargers in every motorway service area by 2023.
Which Levels Of Charging Are Available For Public Charging
There are 3 standard charging levels used to charge electric cars. All electric cars can be charged with level 1 and level 2 stations. These types of chargers offer the same charging power as the ones you can install at home. Level 3 chargers – also called DCFC or fast charging stations – are much more powerful than level 1 and 2 stations, meaning you can charge an EV much faster with them. that being said, some vehicles cannot charge at level 3 chargers. Knowing your vehicleâs capabilities is therefore very important.
Charging Level Summary
Level: 2
Compatibility: 100% of electric cars, Charger is required
Before driving to a charging station, it is important to know if your vehicle is compatible with the connectors available. This is especially important for non-Tesla DCFC stations. Some may have just a CHAdeMO connector, others just an SAE Combo CCS connector, and others will have both. Also, some vehicles, like the Chevrolet Volt – a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, is not compatible for Level 3 stations. Make sure you know your vehicle compatibilities before planning a trip. With our charging map, you will be able to apply the right filters to only show chargers compatible with your electric car.
You May Like: How Much Does Tesla Model S Cost
Youll Want To Join At Least One Of Them For When Your Ev Needs A Jolt Of Kilowatts Out On The Road
While most electric vehicle charging is done at home, having access to public charging, whether at a retail site, public garage, or other location, can make owning a battery powered car a far more practical proposition.
The good news is that the number of charging stations is growing at a rapid clip. According to the Department of Energy, there are now over 22,000 stations across the U.S. with more than 68,800 connectors between them. About a third of them, 22,620 in all, can be found in California, which is the nations largest market for electric vehicles. Florida, Texas, and New York are the states with next highest number of public stations.
Most public chargers are still 240-volt Level 2 units, however, which can take eight hours or more to fully replenish a battery pack. That makes them best for adding some extra range while shopping or dining. Many hotels have installed Level 2 chargers that EV-owning guests can use for overnight charging. Unfortunately, only 16 percent of public stations so far are Level 3 DC Fast Charging units that can bring a given EV up to a 75 percent state of charge in around a half hour.
You can identify where stations are situated on the Internet and what type of connectors they support via ChargeHub.com, PlugShare.com, or PlugInAmerica.org, as well as the individual networks websites and phone apps.
Heres how some of the major EV charging networks in the U.S. stack up:
Time Spent At Charging Stations
Battery size is a fundamental part of the charging-time equation. It makes sense that smaller batteries can charge to capacity faster than larger batteries. However, many variables affect charging speeds. The level of battery technology, the quality of the equipment , and environmental factors such as the ambient temperature affect how fast EVs charge.
In broad terms, Level 2 charging stations charge at about 6 kilowatts or a little higher and can add about 20 miles of range in an hour of charging at home or using a public charging station.
DC fast chargers use high-voltage direct current to charge at 50 kW and up to 350 kW if the car can accept that rate. Its not uncommon for EVs to gain 100 miles of range in about 30 minutes of quick charging.
Heres another rule of thumb regarding the time you spend at an EV charging station: The last 10% of EV battery charging can take as long as the first 90%.
You May Like: Tesla Charging Stations For Home
Electric Car Charging Overview
Electric Car Charging is Easy
Imagine never stopping at a gas station again, and instead, have an unlimited supply of fuel available at home or wherever you normally park. For many electric car drivers, this is a reality. Battery-electric cars never need gas, and for short trips, plug-in hybrids might use no gas.
Electric car charging is simple, cost-effective and convenient, particularly when you are plugged in at homefilling up your car even while youre asleep. How long it takes to charge depends on the charging equipment and the size of the cars battery and its available charging capacity.
Although electric car drivers primarily charge at home, workplace and public chargers are increasingly available in communities nationwide. Use the EV Charging Station Map to find nearby charging.
Level 1 Charging
Level 1 is the slowest method, but sufficient for drivers who charge overnight and travel 30-40 miles per day. All electric cars come with a cable that can be plugged into a standard wall outlet with no equipment installation required. Level 1 works well at home, work or anywherewhen you have sufficient time to charge. Level 1 charging is ideal for plug-in hybrid electric cars that have smaller batteries, but it can suffice for some battery-electric car owners as well, depending on their daily range needs and length of time typically parked and charging.
Level 1 charging adds about 3.5 6.5 miles of driving range per hour of charging time.
Level 2 Charging
Hundreds Of Thousands Of Places To Charge
One account to access them in North America and Europe.
Were leading the charge. Actually, we started it. Youd think after creating the worlds largest and most open EV charging network wed be satisfied, but youd be wrong. The way we see it, theres still much more we can dotogether. Join us in getting all people and goods moving on electricity.
You May Like: Childrens Electric Cars 24 Volt
Electric Car Charging: A Guide To Public Charging Stations
The number of electric cars and plug-in hybrid cars on the road around the UK continues to rise, and with it, the number of public charging stations also grows by the day. For people that are new to electric or hybrid, charging can cause some initial confusion or apprehension, which is understandable. But fear not, youre spoilt for choice, and its easy once you know how, and were here to help.
Everything You Need To Know About Ev Charging Stations
Unlike a gasoline-fueled car, one major perk of an electric vehicle is that you can plug it in at home or use an EV charging station when youre on the go.
Plugging into an electrical outlet at home is one thing. But those EV charging stations popping up at the end of big suburban parking lots or in urban parking garages open up a world of questions.
Good news! We have answers and a reminder not to be afraid of what is admittedly a very different infrastructure for electric cars than what you are used to with gas cars.
Spoiler alert: Electric cars are a cinch to charge once you work out the basics.
RELATED STORIES: How Do Electric Car Tax Credits Work?
Read Also: Was The First Car Electric
/5 Geelong St Fyshwick Act
Owner/Location Owner : Belconnen Markets
Location: 3/5 Geelong St, Fyshwick ACT
Owner/Location Owner : ACT Government Fleet Use Only
Type: Type 2
Availability: Not available for public use
Ports: J 1772
Owner/Location Owner : ACT Government Fleet Use Only
Type: Type 2
Availability: Not available for public use
Ports: J 1772
Location: 12 Wattle Street , Lyneham
Why More Businesses Should Provide Charging Stations
So far, the station has seen steady usewith about 20 charging sessions in the first month since installation. As Chris points out, however, due to concerns about EV range and range anxiety, a charging station like this serves an important utility even when it’s not in use:
“Confidence is a major piece to it. Even if most EV drivers charge at home most of the time, we need to have charging stations available so folks know they can get home if they get caught in a pinch. If there isnt network availability, adoption will not continue. Truthfully, stations like this might be a giant paperweight in 20 years timerange will just be so big that it wont be needed. But it’s important that they are here now so that folks feel secure in opting for an EV.”
That’s a point I would strongly agree with, and I would say that, by adding charging stations in convenient locations, it also makes it possible for folks to buy electric vehicles with only as much range as they realistically needa critical component of making sure that electric vehicles deliver fully on their environmental potential.
It’s early days to say whether or not the station has directly influenced any tenants’ or neighbors’ decision to buy an electric vehicle , but existing drivers are certainly happy. Madeline Bachner, Program Director at The Cottonwood Institute, puts it this way:
Read Also: Tesla Model 3 Spacex Edition
Gb News Guests Debate Using Electric Cars
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Huge disparities in the cost of charging an electric car on the public network is leading to added financial pressure on drivers without access to off-street parking, one expert has warned. New data has shown that the average cost of UK public rapid charging is now 53p per kWh.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Map
Published by Rylan Urban on January 30, 2019. Last updated December 13, 2021.
According to Natural Resources Canada, there are 6,566 electric vehicle charging stations in Canada. This includes 5,655 Level 2 EV charging stations and 1,203 DC fast EV charging stations.
- Level 2 charging stations provide 16 to 32 kilometers of range per 1 hour of charging time.
- DC fast charging stations provide 95 to 130 kilometers of range per 20 minutes of charging time.
Below is a map of every electric vehicle charging station in Canada, updated daily. The map includes all level 1, 2, and DC fast stations from coast to coast.
You May Like: Wawa Tesla Charging Station Cost
How Much Does It Cost To Charge Your Ev At A Public Charge Point
From fast chargers at a premium rate to free charging at the supermarket, the cost of public charging is still incredibly variable and dependent on a few things.
Are electric car charge points free?
There are some free charging points in the UK and it’s a great incentive for EV drivers, but you’ll need to consider that you probably won’t be able to rely totally on free charging, you may also have to consider how popular they may be and how that may impact on the waiting time to actually use one.
How fast are free chargers?
Another thing to consider about free chargers is the speed. You’re most likely to find 7kW or 3kW free chargers, similar to the speeds you’ll find at home, so it’s probably best to use these for top-ups rather than a full re-charge
How much are rapid and ultra-rapid chargers?
When you start to look at rapid and ultra rapid chargers the cost goes up but it’s still cheaper than petrol. As an example, you could charge a Nissan Ariya Evolve 87kWh Auto with a 50kW charger in an hour for just £15.661
You can locate public charge points on the E.ON Drive map.
