Understanding Electric Cars and Charging Times with Sierra Blanca Motors
Many New Mexico residents are making the switch to electric vehicles to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment. However, although electric vehicles are all the rage among environmentally conscious drivers, few people know how long it takes to charge an electric car. That’s why Sierra Blanca Motors put together a short guide explaining the factors affecting electric vehicle charging, such as car charger types.
Sierra Blanca Motors is one of New Mexico’s leading vehicle dealerships. If you want to upgrade to a new electric vehicle, contact Sierra Blanca Motors.
What Is an Electric Car?
Electric cars, also called EVs, are environmentally friendly vehicles that utilize stored energy rather than gasoline. They have an electric motor instead of a traditional combustion engine, eliminating the need for fossil fuels.
Instead of stopping at a gas station to refill their vehicle, electric car owners can recharge at a nearby electric car charging stations. However, recharging an EV typically takes much more time than refilling at a gas station, especially if its batteries are exceedingly low on energy. The car’s charging capacity, charging station type, and more also factor into recharging durations, making it difficult to pinpoint the average charging time.
Understanding Charger Types and Speeds
Most electric car chargers fall into one of three categories.
Level 1 chargers are the most common and utilize a traditional 120-volt outlet. However, they also have the longest charging duration, taking more than 50 hours to charge an EV to 80%.
Level 2 chargers are much faster and require a 240-volt residential outlet or a 208-volt commercial outlet. They typically charge an electric car to 80% within four to 10 hours.
DC fast charging, also called DCFC, is the fastest electric car charger and can charge a vehicle to 80% as fast as 20 minutes. These chargers aren’t available for residential properties but are becoming more common in commercial settings.
Each charger works better for different situations. Moreover, a car's onboard charger and rating will determine which option to use (and the optimal charging time).
Charging Levels and Their Impact on Charging Time
The higher your charging level, the quicker a car can charge. Higher levels put out more energy than lower ones; for example, Level 2 electric car charging stations have a 240-volt outlet that emits between 30 to 50 amps, allowing them to charge EVs in half the time of a 120-volt outlet. That said, while higher levels charge cars faster, you'll still need to pay attention to your car's charging capacity and battery size to determine the optimal charging time.
Charging times are only likely to improve in the future; in fact, many fast-charging standards are already emerging, changing the industry's landscape.
Power Charging Sources for Electric Cars
Electric cars need Level 1, Level 2, or DC fast chargers to refill their batteries and ensure optimal operation. Experts classify Level 1 and Level 2 as AC or alternating current chargers and DC fast chargers as direct current chargers. This is due to the chargers’ current capabilities.
Each charging station has its own unique benefits, but aren’t always ideal for every situation. While Level 1 chargers are the most common for residential properties and typically don’t require outlet installation beforehand, they aren’t as timely or efficient. DCFCs and Tesla's Supercharger network provide the fastest charging times but aren’t readily available in specific regions.
Factors That Impact EV Charging Time
Electric car charger types aren’t the only things that affect EV charging duration. Several other factors can impact it as well, including the vehicle’s battery size, power level, and maximum charge rate. To optimize charging times, try to scale your charging station to the size of the battery; if you have a bigger battery, then you'll want to use a charging station with a bigger output.
That said, EV charging is a growing industry; as time goes on, both stations and cars will improve to reduce charging times.
Navigating Electric Car Charging With Sierra Blanca Motors
If you want to replace your car with an environmentally friendly electric vehicle, contact Sierra Blanca Motors. We will teach you how long it takes to charge an electric car while helping you find a vehicle for your needs. Our team is here help answer all your questions about electric vehicles. Don’t hesitate, start your journey to the electric vehicle of your dreams today.
