If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle (EV) while the incentives and rebates are still available, there are some important things to know before your purchase. A lot concern the same things you check on a gasoline-powered car or truck—mileage, maintenance records, operating costs, vehicle history. But EVs come with a new shopping consideration: the battery.
And there’s plenty of data to show that using a Level 2 charging station adds to a vehicle's lifespan in addition to being more convenient and economical.
First, the basics: EV chargers come in three levels. Level 1 uses a standard 120-volt household outlet typically providing about 4-5 miles of range per hour of charging.A Level 2 EV charger uses a 240-volt power source. Level 3 uses a direct current (DC) to charge the battery much faster than Level 1 or Level 2. Level 3 chargers can provide up to 80% charge in just 30 minutes.
The Changing Electric Vehicle Market
Now that EVs have been around a while, there have been improvements in technology as well as lessons learned from a larger base of information. There is also a wider variety of vehicles on the market, including a significant growth in the number of used EVs available.
As with most things tech, new means improvements. But other than bells and whistles, today’s EVs tend to see the greatest improvement in battery capacity. Cars that used to get 200-300 miles on a full charge now often go 500 miles or more—some much more.
But how an EV battery is charged (or has been, in the case of used vehicles) can make a difference.
A Brief Look at Battery Physics
An EV battery is no different from a flashlight battery when it comes to how it generates electricity, it’s just much larger (and a little techier).
There are two common types of EV battery chemistry. One uses lithium along with other metals and are called lithium-ion batteries. The most common type in North America and Europe uses a blend of either nickel, manganese, and cobalt (NMC) or nickel, manganese, cobalt, and aluminum (NMCA) for the cathode, or positive charge. The negative anodes are most often made of graphite.
The second type is known as lithium-iron-phosphate, or LFP. Iron-phosphate cells have considerably lower energy density, so larger, heavier batteries are needed to provide the same amount of energy (and hence driving range) as NMC-based batteries. LFP batteries are less expensive to make and are widely used in China, but US carmakers such as Tesla and Ford are starting to use LFP batteries in their lower-end models.
You can learn more about how EV batteries work on the Car and Driver website.
The thing both battery types have in common is that how and how often they’re charged can affect their useful lives.
Why Bother with Physics?
When it comes to EVs, physics matter. The biggest issue is with charging.
We all know that low-voltage 120-volt charging is slow and that high-voltage 400+ commercial chargers are fast(er). But high-voltage fast chargers (Level 3) can decrease battery life under some conditions by overflowing ions and building up capacity-robbing barriers. Learn more (lots more) about this here.
Other factors like temperature, where, and when you fast charge enter the picture. For Colorado residents, temperature can be especially significant since battery power decreases as temperatures fall, as does the charging efficiency.
All these factors add up to one conclusion: Level 2 home charging is the way to go for your EV, new or used, lightuse or heavy.
The Solution is Right at Home
Relying on commercial charging stations, while the only option for some EV owners, is inconvenient, expensive, and risky, especially in bad weather when the lines at stations can be long and the drivers are edgy with stress and road rage, as a recent incident shows. But many EV owners rest easily, knowing that the solution is in their own garage.
With a home EV charger, you can juice up your ride while you eat, watch TV, or sleep,all when electricity costs are at their lowest, saving considerably on operating cost.
Allstar Pros are Experts on Charging Stations
When you’re ready to join the growing number of EV aficionados, Allstar Electrical Services can help you find the home charging solution that’s best for you. We’ve installed dozens of EV charging stations in homes, parking garages, and at businesses with multiple EV fleets. We’ve helped Coloradans increase energy efficiency while adding comfort and convenience to their homes and businesses for over 20 years.
For an estimate on installing a home EV charger or to learn more about the many ways upgraded electric services and emerging technologies can improve your home or business, visit our website or give us a call at 303.399.7420.