Electric Vehicle Charging
If you’ve ever spent any time thinking about recharging electric cars, their cost or electric cars in general, you’ve probably felt at least a little bit of confusion. But keeping an EV charged isn’t difficult - you just need a little bit of know-how. And we're here to help.
Whether you already own an EV or are planning to buy one, this article will help you easily understand how to charge your electric car, where you can, and the best way for you and your vehicle.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Explained
Like owners of petrol cars, some EV owners like to ‘top up’ regularly, while others prefer to ‘fill up’ when they see the battery getting low. Some EV owners prefer to charge overnight, while others leave while at work in the nearby shopping centre, public charging station. But most use a combination.
Whatever your favourite routine, charging an EV has never been more straightforward. There are various charging options available for electric cars, based on the car's range and size of the car's battery, the charging rate can be anything from slow, fast or faster.
Unlike other vehicles, there are various ways to charge your car with EVs. The two pieces of key terminology you need to understand and apply to your car are:
- Charging Levels – the power at which you can charge your electric vehicle, grouped into a few key bands (Levels 1 to 3)
- Charging Types – the physical plug connector type that plugs into your electric car (AC or DC)
Type of Charging: Electric Vehicle Charging Standards
There are three levels of charging, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. The higher the EV charging level, the faster the charging process. Level 2 EV chargers are used for charging your vehicle overnight at home. On the other hand, Level 3 EV chargers are best suited for charging your vehicle whilst in public or on a long road trip with their faster charging but more specialised electrical system.
It's important to note that different EVs charge at different speeds on each level. This is because each EV can accept different power levels from the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Chat to your local Jax Tyres to find out the charging speed and range of your specific EV make and model.
- Level 1 AC Charger: (Trickle): This is the slowest but most convenient way to charge at home as it just needs to be plugged into a standard 240V socket. It can take 4-48hours to charge, depending on your battery size.
- Level 2 AC Charger: (Slow): This is your at-home charger, but you will need a unique wall amp, so it requires slightly more installation effort than a level 1 charger. It's typically best when you want to full charge your vehicle overnight (8+ hours). You can normally expect to gain 40km of range in one hour.
- Level 3 DC Charger (Fast): Rapid charging capacity ranges from 50kW to ultra-rapid chargers with 350kW power. Therefore it can take from 10mins-50mins to charge.
EV Charging: at Home
All EVs are designed with a standard charging cable that can plug into the car and use a domestic plug into a typical wall socket. However, it's worth noting it may be worth getting an electrician to create a separate electrical circuit for your car.
To make the charging process easier in Australia, more dedicated home and office charging points were installed. And since Australian motorists drive less than 40 miles per day, with 100 miles range being the current EVs industry standard, you'll most probably charge at home.
EV Charging: Public Charging
With more electric vehicles than ever rolling out across Australia's roads, public charging infrastructure has also been brought out nationwide to support EVs' current and future growth across the country. You will often find either a level 2 or 3 charging port in a public station.
Slow adoption of Electric cars in Australia
On a global stage, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, with forecasts suggesting that by 2040 they will make up 70% of the market.
In Australia, it has been a different story. Australians have been slow to embrace EVs compared to people in the US, Europe and China. One of the most common reasons for the slow adoption in Australia is range anxiety or the fear of being stuck in the middle of nowhere without any charge to make it back.
Some may say the odds are stacked against us with the great expanse between our populated cities. But with the new impressive EVs and Australia's recent overhaul in charging stations, it's now easy for you to get to where you need to go. Whether you're commuting around Brisbane or taking a road trip from Melbourne to Sydney, it's now possible in an EV.
What EVs are available in Australia currently?
The Electric Vehicle Council lists the current EV models on the Australian market on its site.
For a more comprehensive look at the range of pure electric, plug-in hybrids and electric hybrids in Australia, go to the Government's Green Vehicle Guide and look for the Advanced vehicle search.
Find a JAX EV Charging Station
JAX offers EV charging at it's following stores:
EV’s are the future for driving
The numbers are in, and it's fair to say EVs are here to stay. In fact, with 57% lower maintenance cost, the apparent positive impact on the environment and the improved public infrastructure, EVs on the road are increasing every year.
Public charging all across Australia allows EV drivers to charge their electric cars on the go. Whether you're just commuting to work or doing what Australians do best and road-tripping, EVs can now get you to where you need to go.
At JAX Tyres & Auto, we are committed to the future of driving in all its forms.
Just like refilling your diesel engine, the time it takes to 'fill up' depends on how much is in there already and how much you want to put back in.
The time it takes to charge your EV depends on the level of charge you want, the size of the batter and the speed of the charging point. An electric car can take as little as 30 minutes to charge or more than 12 hours.
- Level 3 (Fast Charge): Rapid charging capacity ranges from 50kW and ultra-rapid chargers with 350kW power. Therefore it can take from 10mins-50mins to charge.
- Level 2: (Slow Charge): This is your home charger and is typically best when you want to fully charge your vehicle overnight (8+ hours). You can normally expect to gain 40km of range in one hour.
- Level 1: (Trickle Charge): This is the slowest but most convenient way to charge as it just needs to be plugged into a standard 240V socket. It can take 4-48hours to charge, depending on your battery size.
Much like traditional petrol service stations, the cost of charging your electric vehicle at a public charging station varies depending on:
- Which company provides the public charging station and the rates they charge
- The EV charger type and charging level: Level 3 costs about $0.40 - $0.60 per kWh, and Level 2, $0.20- $0.25 per kWh
- The area in which the public charging station is located and the demand to use that charger. For example, RAC's new 'Electric Highway' is situated between Perth and the Margaret River region.
Fast chargers (level 3) solve many issues associated with EVs: long charging times and range anxiety. It was now possible to quickly 'fill up' at the petrol station and not worry about having to make it home to charge your car.
But as with all things, we shouldn't overdo it. Level 3, fast chargers degrade the battery faster than your standard level 2 or 1 slow chargers. Rapid charging means that higher currents create higher temperatures, both strains on the batteries.
