As people become more aware of how their actions may affect the environment, some people have chosen to use electric vehicles instead of traditional vehicles. For those using electric vehicles, they need an electric vehicle charger, which helps supply electrical energy to recharge them. In this article, we take a look at the benefits of using an EV charger. Keep reading here.
What is an EV charger?
For those who may not be familiar, an EV charger – otherwise known as a charge point or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) is a type of equipment that helps to supply electrical power to charge plug-in vehicles. These include vehicles such as cars, buses, bikes, and trucks, to name a few. EV charging points can either be free-standing or wall-mounted, untethered or tethered. They come in a range of power output levels such as 3kW, 4 kW, 7 kW and 22 kW. The size, type, and power rating depend on whether a person is charging either EV at work, at home, or on the public network.
Benefits of using an EV charger
EV chargers offer many benefits for both individual users and businesses. As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow over the years, more and more people are also utilising EV chargers. Below, we have explained the key benefits of using an EV charger.
Cost savings
Charging an electric vehicle is typically more cost-effective than refuelling a diesel or gasoline vehicle. Thisis because the cost of electricity is generally lower, and in many regions, electricity rates are stable, allowing for better cost predictability.
Energy efficiency
Electric vehicles are very energy efficient. In fact, electric motors can convert a significantly higher percentage of electrical energy into vehicle movement compared to internal combustion engines, which often waste energy as heat.
Convenience
EV chargers provide users with the convenience of recharging their electric vehicle at home, reducing the need to visit public charging stations. This is particularly useful for daily commuting and short trips.
Smart charging options
Many EV chargers come with smart features that allow users to schedule charging during off-peak hours. This means users can take advantage of lower electricity rates and monitor charging remotely via a mobile app instead.
Reduce maintenance costs
Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts when compared to traditional vehicles. This translates to lower maintenance costs. Users will spend less on oil changes, transmission repairs, and other traditional car maintenance tasks.
Infrastructure costs
Increased adoption of electric vehicles helps to stimulate the growth of charging infrastructure. This makes it easier for all electric vehicle owners to find accessible and convenient charging options.
Innovative technology
EV chargers represent cutting-edge technology and typically align with the trend toward clean energy and sustainable mobility, which is becoming more and more important for businesses today.
Business opportunities
For businesses, offering EV charging stations can help to attract environmentally conscious employees and customers. They also generate additional revenue through charging fees.
Suitable for fleet charging
Businesses that use electric vehicle fleets can also take advantage of EV chargers. This is because these chargers can charge multiple vehicles at the same time and at a faster rate. This is vital for maintaining the operational efficiency of a fleet.
Efficient power distribution
The phase power distribution tends to be more balanced and efficient when compared with single-phase power. This efficiency helps to prevent power imbalances and reduces the load on the electrical grid. This makes it more suitable for high-power applications such as EV charging.
Future-proofing
When it comes to investing in an EV charger, buyers should make sure that it is compatible with future electric vehicle models that may require higher charging speeds due to larger battery capacities.
How to charge an electric vehicle?
Charging at work
Charging an electric vehicle at work is a convenient way to add range to someone’s vehicle while parked up during work hours. The most popular type of workplace charge point is a 7 kW wall-mounted charge point. This is because they are usually compatible with most electric vehicles and have the cheapest installation costs. Some businesses do offer faster 22 kW units which can either be wall-mounted or free-standing.
Charging on the public network
Charging an electric vehicle on the public network can be done in places such as hotels, supermarkets, public car parks, and on the road. Electric vehicle charge points on the public network offer a mix of rapid and fast charging options. Charge points on the public network are typically free-standing. Faster chargers are also usually untethered, so this means users will need to provide their own EV charging cable. Rapid chargers on the other hand can offer a much more higher power output, and the cables for these charge points are always attached to the charge point itself.
Charging at home
Charging at home is generally the most cost-efficient and convenient way for a person to recharge their electric vehicle. This can be done in two ways, first by plugging their electric vehicle using a regular domestic three-pin socket (granny or trickle charging). The second is by a dedicated home car charging point. The latter typically offers a much faster and safer option. Dedicated home charging points are often wall-mounted and are rated up to 7 kW.
