EV technology was developed in the 1800s. The basic principles of these early electric vehicles are similar to what we have today. A rack of rechargeable fuel cells powered the wheels to propel the car forward. Many early EVs could also be charged using the same outlets that power certain lights and appliances in turn century homes.
Although it might seem difficult to imagine a battery-powered vehicle in a world where horse-drawn carriages were the main source of traffic, the truth is that early motorcar designers experimented with many different propulsion systems. These included steam, pedals, and even liquid fuel. EVs were able to compete in mass production due to their lack of huge water tanks or heating systems that create steam. They also don’t emit fumes like gasoline engines and don’t produce noise.
A Century-Long Pit Stop
EVs lost the race due to several factors. With the discovery of large oil fields in Texas, gasoline became cheaper and more readily available. Additionally, roads and highway infrastructure were improved so that drivers could travel out of their communities and take to the open road. Although gas stations were possible almost anywhere, electricity was still a rare commodity in places outside of major cities. EVs declined in popularity over the majority of the 20th Century, as gasoline took the chequered flag.
Lightning
What is the current operation of electric vehicle charging stations? One plug goes into the vehicle’s charging port, while the other connects to an outlet. The process has been made much easier by decades worth of engineering and technology advancements.
Based on their output, there are three types of chargers. Level 1 chargers are the same 120 V outlets that you will find in your home and personal garages. They can provide up to 8 Km per hour of Type 2 coiled charging cable and are ideal for commuters who live close enough to their office so they can leave their car charged overnight after work. Level 2 chargers can provide up to 32 km per hour of charging but will require additional equipment to charge higher-capacity commercial outlets or residential 240V outlets.
DC Fast Chargers can charge your EV at 128 Km per hour for 20 minutes of charging. It’s not surprising that these stations use higher-capacity, 480 V AC inputs and more advanced technology and equipment both in the charging station and the vehicle.
Batteries Included
The electric vehicle charging station harnesses electricity from several sources and distributes that power to your vehicle. Depending on the make and model of an EV, there may be a few standard plugs or corresponding car outlets, but in general, an EV uses electric energy stored within its fuel cells to drive a motor that spins the wheels.
The range of the EV will vary depending on your ride’s specifications once it has used up its electricity. Although more batteries are capable of supplying more power, they can also add weight to the engine that will require more power. Although fewer batteries will result in lower curb weight and more efficient driving, they also have a shorter range and take longer to recharge which can make long trips more difficult.
Electric Avenue
Over 100 years since the introduction of electric cars, infrastructure and technology is catching up. Modern EVs can travel hundreds of KM with a single charge thanks to technological advances in battery efficiency. The growing number of charging stations in the country allows EV drivers to increase their range as more gas stations, garages and retail centres invest in infrastructure. We can expect to see more EV charging stations in remote locations with more than 18,000,000 EVs in 350 and more models by 2030.
Power Management
Businesses that want to offer electric charging to their customers will need to invest in equipment, software, and quickly, to keep up with the competition. It can seem difficult to catch up with consumer demand in a short time given the many charging options and the number of manufacturers of charging stations. EV Connect is here to help. Clients can use our charging solutions to plan, deploy and test their charging stations, as well as manage them.
EV Connect was created to provide a service that allows apartment buildings to supply a spark for residents, dispatchers to have a scalable solution for their taxis and buses fleets, or retail centres to offer convenient service for customers. EV Connect can help clients and customers with any problems or questions about their electric vehicle charging stations.
