FAQ

What are electric car charging stations?

Electric car charging stations are the electricity points where an EV driver can recharge the battery of his vehicle.

Where are E-car charging stations located?

Electric car charge stations are conveniently located at car parks, shopping centers, homes and businesses, allowing drivers to enjoy their everyday activities while recharging their electric vehicles.

How fast can car chargers be?

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure includes the installation of DC fast chargers at various charging points, providing a quick charging option of less than half an hour to recharge 80% of the car battery pack.

What is the meaning of “smart grid” as related to EV charging points?

The electric vehicle charging infrastructure connects charge points to a network, offsetting peak demand by charging vehicles in off peak hours, thus helping to alleviate power surges in an area’s electricity grid. In the future long term charging will allow electricity providers to “claim” electricity from car batteries for a fee during peak times.

What is “range anxiety”?

EV charging stations are not widespread like gasoline stations. The current electric vehicle charging infrastructure is lacking and there aren’t enough public stations available, creating a feeling of “range anxiety” for electric vehicle drivers who are on the way to run out of battery charge.

Which companies provide electric car charge stations?

Companies such as Success Charging, Chargepoint and Better Place, are some of the leaders in this emerging market. Their infrastructures vary in the number of stations they operate, the technology, data management capabilities and more. This difference in quality of service means you may not be receiving the best charging service available if the charge stations in your area are provided by one but not another company.

What’s under the hood of the electric car?

The battery pack – the heart of the electric car, is made of 16 recyclable batteries put together. Different electric cars contain different sized batteries, but for the most part, lithium-ion batteries are used to power electric vehicles.

What are the types of motors in EVs?

There are two types of electric motors, DC and AC – DC referring to a direct-battery current and AC to an alternating-household current. Electric motors require less maintenance then gas-powered motors, since they have less moving parts and do not require oil changes.

Who runs the show?

The motor controller – the “brains” of the operation – is the mastermind which relates power from the battery pack to the electric motor.

What’s new about the EV?

E-cars are not new – The first electric car was introduced over 100 years ago. Today’s electric cars aren’t much different in essence, but over the past few decades they have been improved by car manufacturers, in terms of range and battery capabilities.

What is the range of an electric car?

An electric car can run about 100 miles before the battery pack is completely depleted. Newer cars are expected to run 20%-30% farther, however inner-city small models can run shorter distances.

What types of electric current are used?

Recharging of an e-car’s battery can be done at home using a standard 110/120 volt socket, or at a outdoor EV charge station, using 240-480 volt chargers.

How do EVs differ from regular cars?

The main difference between e-cars and gasoline-based vehicles is the fact that the former ones are environmentally friendly, emitting zero tailpipe pollutants, thus making our lives healthier – and the world cleaner.

What are EV charging times?

Charging time for an electric vehicle is relatively slow, ranging from 30 minutes to 14 hours. It depends on a few factors – size of the electric car battery pack, charging capabilities of the EV, and type of charger used.

What are “modes” or “levels”, how do they differ?

They are one and the same – Charging stations for e-cars may feature one or more types of chargers, from level 1 chargers to level 3. In Europe they are called Modes – Level 1 charging being the slowest type of charging supplying 110/120 volt, and can recharge an electric vehicle in 10-14 hours. Level 2 charging is the most widely used type of charging, supplying 240 volt. It can recharge an electric vehicle in 4-6 hours. Level 3 charging is a fast charging solution supplying 440 volts – charging takes 10-30 minutes to completely recharge the battery pack in less than an hour.