Electric vehicle charging: Everything you need to know

With renewable energy sources becoming increasingly important for a sustainable future, electric vehicles (aka EVs) and hybrids are becoming more popular on our roads. But as with the uptake of any technology there can be a a learning curve when it comes to how it all works—how do you charge them? Do they require regular servicing?

If you’re keen to get an EV, but are not sure exactly what you may be committing to, this is for you! Read on to learn more about electric and hybrid cars.

Firstly, what is an EV?

An EV is a type of car, and stands for ‘electric vehicle’, which uses electricity to power and function. There are 3 main types of EVs: BEVs, PHEVs, and HEVs.

EVs are powered by thousands of battery cells collectively known as a ‘battery pack’. The bigger the battery pack, the longer you’ll generally be able to drive on a single charge.

So how does the E in EVs work? Without getting into the science of electromagnetism, it’s pretty simple. Just like a phone or laptop, they need to be plugged into a power source to charge their battery. Then when you start up your EV, the battery sends this stored power through an inverter which alternates the current. This alternating current causes a series of magnets to spin, turning a shaft that spins the wheels.

It’s quite a simple system and is much more efficient than an ICE.

How long does it take to charge an electric car

How long to charge an electric car? We can give a broad answer, like as little as 30 minutes or as long as 12 hours (or more!). This is one of those ‘How long is a piece of string?’ questions, as charging times can vary between vehicles for a range of reasons. Things like the battery size, the sort of charger you’re using, and how much you need to top up can all affect charging time.

There is a simple sum that’ll help you figure out how long you’ll be waiting to fully charge your EV battery though. Just divide the kWh of the battery by the kW of the charger you’re using.

For example, a 40kWh battery would take about 20 hours on a 7 kW home charger, but on a 22 kW fast charger it would take under 2 hours.

How long do electric car batteries last?

So how long does an electric car battery last? If you look after it, under regular driving conditions manufactuers cover batteries for 8 years or 160,000 km but they should last longer than this period. They gradually lose charge over time, but there are certainly things you can do to increase their longevity.

Non-hybrid EVs can use a number of different batteries with NMC, NCA and LFP being the most common. You’ll get around 2,000+ from an LFP.

How to look after your EV battery

Whatever the type of battery, just like your phone, you need to look after it to get the most charges. Here’s some tips for better battery health:

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Speaking in general terms, charging your EV can cost can range depending on where you are charging your car. The cost to charge an electric car depends on a few different factors, as they vary depending where the charger is and its supplier.

As for how to pay at a public charger, things like Plug&Charge, RFID tags, and apps, make automatic payment easy. You can also often just tap your phone or credit card.

When you’re charging at home, your electricity rates are going to affect charging costs, but if you’ve gone with solar and charge it during the day that cost can fall to zero with a large enough system!

Are EV charging stations free in Australia?

There are a few options if you’re looking for free charging for your EV. NRMA has a range of free fast chargers across NSW, the ACT, and SA. Chargefox also offers free charging stations along with paid options, and EV charging company Jolt also offers free charging for your first 7 kW each day. You can even get free charging when staying at a hotel (depending on the hotel, of course!).

There are downsides though, as free chargers tend to be slower and can be timed or limited to non-commercial vehicles. However, if you’ve got the time and want to save a few bucks, they’re a great incentive!

How to charge an electric car

EVs use a charger and a cable with a plug to get them going, and depending on the charger type, you may need to BYO plug.

The Type 2, or Mennekes plug, is the most common one used in Australia today, but there’s a few others like Type 1, CHAdeMo, and CCS.

Adaptors go for a few hundred dollars if you’d like more options, and can be a good idea if there’s a charging station nearby that won’t fit your car.

Aside from plug style, chargers can be broken down into 3 types:

1. AC slow charge (level 1): This is the slowest charger, with the charging equipment usually coming standard with your EV. It can be plugged into your powerpoint at home, so it’s good for overnight charges. That said, depending on the battery size, it can take between 8 and 40 hours to fully charge. For a one-hour charge you’ll get between 10 and 20 km.

2. AC fast charge (level 2): You’ll find these in shopping centres, hotels, workplaces, and apartment blocks. You can also install a wall box at home so that you can get a faster charge while you sleep. It’ll give you around 40 to 100 km for an hour’s charge.

3. DC fast charge (Level 3): These are the fastest kind of charger, giving you up to 50 times faster charge than a level 2 charger. You’ll find these in petrol stations, car parks, and beside the road. You’re looking at 150 km for one hour of charge at the lower end, and a fully charged vehicle in 10 to 15 minutes at the upper end.

As for finding a charging station, the EVs themselves can often tell you where the nearest charger is, but there’s also plenty of apps around to help you locate them.

How much power to charge an electric car

When you’re looking at charging power, plugs play a significant role in determining the power requirements for your particular EV.

Type 2 connectors can charge EVs with an AC charger, so you’ll get up to 22.1 kW. A DC charger with this connector will take up to 350 kW, although your EV may not be able to take this much. At the moment, the lower end of the range is more common in Australia.

Some EVs can take a couple of different plug types, so before you invest it’s a good idea to do some research.

Still not sure? Drop into mycar for help

If you want professional servicing, testing, and replacement parts for your EV, you can’t go past mycar for quality and peace of mind. Our dedicated team will go the extra mile, and specialise in all things related to electric vehicles. And with so many EV-ready stores around Australia, it’s never far to go!

If you’d like more advice on which EV is right for you, check out our article on hybrid vs pure EVs. Got a problem with your EV? Give us a call on 13 13 28!