The Electric Vehicle 101 article originally appeared on Save On Energy by Caitlin Ritchie
What is an EV & how does it work?
Electric vehicles (EVs) are powered by a battery and
electric motor instead of a gasoline tank and internal combustion engine. EVs
(sometimes referred to as battery electric vehicles, or BEVs) have surged in popularity as manufacturers have expanded
their lineup of sustainable, battery-powered vehicles.
EVs are powered by electricity from the power grid
(similar to other household appliances, like a refrigerator or a TV) and
store that energy in rechargeable batteries. These batteries power the electric motor, which turns the wheels and moves
the car forward.
Why choose an EV?
There are several reasons why more
consumers are choosing to drive electric vehicles. Here are a few of
the most popular benefits of EVs:
- More
environmentally friendly. EVs run on electricity, so they
don’t emit exhaust from tailpipes or rely on gasoline, a fossil fuel
that produces carbon dioxide when burned. Carbon dioxide and other fossil
fuels contribute to climate change and harm the environment.
- Lower
maintenance requirements. EVs require very little routine
maintenance compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles. They
don’t need oil changes, the breaks wear out much slower, and there are
fewer moving parts in need of routine repairs or replacements.
- More
affordable fuel costs. With an EV, you fuel your car with
electricity from home or a public charging station. You can skip the gas station
entirely and will be less susceptible to spikes in gasoline prices.
Learn more about EVs
Different types of EV connectors
How to Handle EV Range Anxiety
Electric Vehicle Maintenance Guide
What are the different types of electric vehicles?
When it comes to EVs, there are a few different options to
choose from. Some EVs are completely electric — these are the ones that are
also referred to as BEVs. There are other types to know about if you are
considering an electric vehicle.
- Plug-in
electric vehicles: These vehicles are powered entirely by a
battery and electric motor. You plug this vehicle into an outlet or
charging station for it to receive the electricity it needs to run.
Electricity is the only fuel source for EVs.
- Plug-in
hybrid vehicles (PHEVs): With a plug-in hybrid, the vehicle’s
main fuel source is electricity. However, it also has a traditional fuel
engine that can use gasoline if the electricity supply runs
low. Having a backup fuel supply can be a huge benefit for drivers
who experience EV range anxiety.
- Hybrid
vehicles: Hybrids are similar to plug-in hybrids, but their main
fuel source is gasoline. They do have a smaller electric battery, which is
charged through regenerative braking. Hybrids let you switch between a
regular gas-powered vehicle and “EV mode,” which will normally only work
at slower speeds or short distances. You cannot plug these vehicles into a
charging station — the battery receives a small charge when you brake.
How to charge your electric car at charging stations
One of the primary benefits of EVs is the variety of
charging options. Consumers can charge their vehicles at home or use public
charging stations. Here is a breakdown of the different charging methods available.
What are the different levels of charging
There are three levels of charging: Level 1, Level 2, and
Level 3. The higher the level, the
faster the charge time because more electricity is flowing into the
vehicle.
Level 1 charging (120-volt). Level 1 charging
uses a household outlet, which is why this is the slowest charging level. With
Level 1 charging, you can expect your vehicle to receive between three and five
miles of range per hour. If you own a hybrid vehicle, Level 1 charging might
work fine because hybrid vehicles have smaller batteries that hold less charge.
But for people with a fully electric vehicle that they drive daily,
Level 2 or Level 3 charging are better for everyday use.
Level 2 charging (208-volt to 240-volt). Level 2
charging is the most common form of charging for EVs driven daily. Consumers
can purchase and install
a Level 2 charger at their home. Many public charging stations also use
this type of charger. With a Level 2 charger, a vehicle can charge between 12
and 80 miles of range per hour. For drivers charging their EV at home, this
means you can plug your car in at night and it will be fully charged by
morning.
You can shop for Level 2 chargers through SaveOnEnergy.com. We
partner with top-tier energy, solar, and EV companies to bring electricity
solutions to your home.
Level 3 charging (400-volt to 900-volt). This is
the fastest charging available, delivering between three and 20 miles of range
per minute. Level 3 chargers (often called DC Fast Chargers) use
direct current (DC) electricity instead of alternating current (AC) electricity and
deliver a much higher voltage than Levels 1 and 2. Tesla refers to its Level 3
chargers as Superchargers. These chargers are rarer than Level 2 chargers due
to the high price tag and high-voltage requirements.
Learn more about EV chargers
How to
Find the Best EV Charger
Which
Chargers Are Compatible with My EV?
What
Factors Affect EV Charging Speed?
How
to Install an EV Charger at Home
Electric
Vehicle Charging Guide
What are the different types of connectors
You will need to use a charging station with a
connector that is compatible with your EV. Level 1 and Level 2
chargers use AC connectors to power vehicles. There are two types of AC
connectors:
- Type
1 — a single-phase plug that allows you to charge your EV up to
7.4 kilowatts (kW) and 25 miles per hour of charging.
- Type
2 — a triple-phase plug that allows you to charge your EV up to
22 kW and 75 miles per hour of charging. Type 2 connectors are most common
for new cars.
Unlike Levels 1 and 2, Level 3 chargers use DC connectors.
There are three types of DC connectors:
- CHAdeMO —
This is the original DC connector developed in Japan and is only sold by
Nissan and Mitsubishi in the U.S. Because it is compatible with Level 3
chargers, this connector allows you to charge up to 100 kW and 150 miles
for every 30 minutes of charging.
- Combined
Charging System (CCS) — CCS connectors are more common in North
America and are used by most auto manufacturers, including General Motors,
Ford, Jeep, Dodge, and many others. This connector enables up to 350 kW
and 525 miles for 30 minutes of charging.
- Tesla/Type
2 — Tesla Superchargers are currently the only chargers
compatible with Type 2 connectors. These connectors result in up to 250 kW
and 375 miles for 30 minutes of charging.
EV charging cost
The cost to
charge an electric vehicle will depend on several factors, including
your electricity rate, how many miles you drive on average, and
the time of day. The average EV gets between three and four miles per
kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity. To calculate the cost to charge your vehicle at home, you’ll need to do some
math.
The average
American drives 1,202 miles per month. In September 2022, the average
U.S. electricity rate was 16.32 cents per kWh. If we assume an EV receives four
miles per kWh, we know that the EV will use about 300 kWh in a month. This will
cost $49.05 to charge at home each month.
Electricity rates vary greatly by state, as do the average
miles per kWh for various EVs. In general, charging an EV at home overnight
will usually be the cheapest option, although the cost to charge at public
charging stations remains lower than the average cost to fuel a gas-powered
vehicle.
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