If the time has come for you to purchase a new car then you may be considering going all electric or hybrid. There are pros and cons to both of these options, similarly to other types of cars. However, electrical vehicles are becoming cheaper to buy than petrol or diesel cars. You may or may not be aware that the Federal Government is also offering up to $7,500 in tax incentives when you buy selected used or new electric cars.
If you want to find out more about running and owning an electric vehicle then take a look below.
EV charger types
There are three types of charger when it comes to your electric vehicle. There are three types of charging outlets that you can use to charge your electric car. If you are using a power outlet at home then you will have a level 1 charger. This will charge your vehicle with the least amount of power, this means it will take longer to get full charge.
When you are out and about in public and you use their charging stations then this will be a level 2 charger. Be aware, you can also use a level 2 charger in your home. Using a level 2 charger will give your car twice the power meaning it will be at full charge in half the time. If you do decide to use a level 2 charger in your home, you will need an electrician to come in and install it. You will also need to ensure you have a compatible circuit for this type of charging point. You can call a qualified electrician to help install your EV charging station.
The final type of charger is the best and most rare to find. This charge uses a high-voltage current that goes straight to your EV’s battery. You have to be aware that they don’t charge all types of electrical vehicle so you will have to check yours is compatible. Typically, if you own a Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, or Tesla then you can use DC fast chargers to charge your vehicle. You can find them in public places such as malls and parking garages.
Factors that affect an EV charging time
You may think that you can simply plug in your vehicle and it will charge nicely over time. This isn’t true and there are several different factors that can affect the charging time of your EV.
- Charging device power output – the lower the power, the longer it will take to charge. For instance, if you are using a level 1 charger then you can expect to be charging your vehicle for over forty hours before you get full charge. A DC fast charger can give you full charge in as little as thirty minutes.
- The car’s onboard charger speed – simply put, some electric vehicles will take longer to charge than others. You can check the charger speed when you purchase the vehicle.
- Storage capacity of the battery – if your battery does not hold a lot of charge then this will run down a lot quicker. This means you may constantly find yourself charging your EV.
- How depleted the battery is – this one is common sense, the more empty the battery the longer it will take to charge. If you know you don’t have long before you need to go out then don’t let your battery run empty.
- Weather conditions – believe it or not, if the temperature in your area is cold then your vehicle can take longer to charge than in the warmer months. A study found that electric vehicles take in 36% less charge in colder weather than warmer.
If you are still unsure whether you want to invest in an electric vehicle then you could speak to the experts who will give you more information on what to expect.