Driving an electric car comes with many advantages. It’s undoubtedly the height of driving, but charging and battery mileage can be stressful. A lot can go wrong if you don’t charge your electric car safely.
Read on if you’re like one of those who need to know more about safe electric car charging.
Three Levels Of Electric Car Charging
There are various ways to charge your electric vehicle (EV), from solar-powered EV charging stations to rapid charging systems. Some methods are safe, while others can be dangerous. To know what constitutes electric car charging, it’s perhaps important to understand its three primary levels. Here’s what you need to know about each:
- Level 3 Charging. This is the fastest and can charge a vehicle in about 15 minutes. This charge requires a high voltage power output so that you can do it at home. Level 3 is mainly found at gas stations and designated charging ports. It’s ideal for on-the-go use.
- Level 2 Charging. This is the most popular and common type of electric car charging. Because it requires less power and is reasonably fast, you can typically find Level 2 charging in commercial and residential locations.
- Level 1 Charging. This is the most accessible as it simply requires you to plug in the cable that comes with your electric car into your regular power source, even at home. The most significant disadvantage is that it can take a long time to fully charge your EV as most domestic power sources only deliver about 2.3 kW (10 a). It can therefore take more than 25 hours to charge a typical EV.
Although some methods like Level 1 may seem easy and cheap, most of the danger could come from. Some electric car drivers have been said to use the wrong cables, while others have confessed to using extension cables when using Level 1 charging.
Electric Car Charging Safety
Every electric car typically comes with a charging cable that allows you to charge your vehicle on any electric socket, including domestic ones. According to automotive safety standards, the electric wires are fitted with special protections to prevent undercurrents.
Despite these measures, charging your electric car can still be hazardous. The undercurrent protection in the cable can protect you and your vehicle, but your home power socket can still be at risk of overheating. Houses with old electric installations are especially at risk.
Because it often takes a long time to charge your electric car on a regular home power source, it’s not always recommended unless it’s an emergency. Besides the overheating risks that come with it, charging your electric car on your regular home socket is not a sustainable solution for daily charging. Now here are some ways you could safely charge your EV:
- Charging At Home
Because it makes more sense to charge your car at home, where you park most of the time, a dedicated home charging point can be your best option. It will give you more ideal charging speeds than regular home sockets. Some systems will also have extra accessibility and safety features, including wi-fi monitoring.
- Charging At Work
Like most drivers, your work parking lot can be another charging option if you drive to work. Most organizations now have charging stations for their staff and visitors. If you have such convenience at your workplace, you may need to take your cable to the charging units.
Depending on the charging port, you may begin to charge by simply plugging in, as with your home charger, or you may use an RFID card or an app on your smartphone to charge. Some workplaces may have higher-powered rapid chargers, usually used for pool cars and fleet vehicles.
- Charging At Public Stations
Charging your electric car can also be done at public places like supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, parks, and city car parks. These are great places to do a top-up while you do your business. Most of these offer free charging for their patrons or customers. You may need to bring your charging cable for public electric car charging.
- Charging On High Power Rapid Chargers
Sometimes you may need to charge your car in the quickest possible time. At other times you may notice that the power left in your battery won’t get you to your destination. In such scenarios, you may need to use a high-powered rapid charger. These are Level 3 charging ports that generally charge a fee for their service.
Tips For Charging Safely
For safe charging of your EV, remember the following safety tips:
- Always use the charging cable supplied by your manufacturer unless you’re using a high-power rapid charger.
- Always charge your electric car with a reinforced electric socket.
- Always use a certified charging station.
- Always follow the specified charging instructions.
- Take time to understand how the charging port you intend to use works. Most points are pretty straightforward and have instructions to follow.
- Never use an extension cord.
- Always take electric car charging seriously.
Conclusion
Finding the right way to charge your electric car is significant. There are many different chargers, and some are faster than others. Public charging ports are still limited, so you may need to have a charging port at home. Although charging is generally designed to be safe for you and your vehicle, you still have to take care and do it right to avoid the risk of damage to your home, EV, and you.
