Modern automobiles can also be classified as electric vehicles EVs since people are turning towards cleaner methods of transport. Another critical factor crucial when owning and using an EV is the availability of charging infrastructure to ensure the battery is charged. There are two main types of EV charging stations: Level 1 and level 2 chargers are common where chargers can take a few hours to fully charge an EV battery and DC fast chargers can charge an EV battery to 80% in 30 minutes.
DC Fast Charger is a type of charging equipment for electric vehicles that can be either installed in public stations or at various businesses that provide recharging services.
A DC fast charger also known as a DC Level 3 charger, functions by using AC power from the electrical grid to convert it to DC which could be directly supplied to the battery of an electric vehicle. This results in a much more rapid rate of charge than is possible using an ac charging system. It can be connected to the EV via an SAE Combo connector or CHAdeMO connector.
The DC fast charging stations are usually located at places where drivers are likely to spend little time than engaging in charging the batteries of their vehicles, for instance, highway and rest areas, fueling stations, malls, and restaurants. These enable EV drivers to charge their battery for enough power needed to get to the next charging stop on the journey.
When is it handy to use a DC Fast Charger?
There are a few critical situations when it is recommended to use a DC fast charging station to charge your EV:
During Long Trips
DC fast charging stations are typically located near highways and other popular driving locations so that electric vehicle drivers can quickly recharge their battery whenever they stop for a rest. It is easy to gain an additional 15-30 minutes of charging time to later acquire substantial driving range to the next charging point. This goes a long way in reducing the concerns of range limitations while using an EV, especially in cases where the car is used for a long journey away from the home garage.
In a Time Crunch
If you have to charge an EV due to time constraint, there is a faster charging method known as the DC fast charger that can charge an EV battery from almost empty to 80% within half an hour. This means that you can bend your time to the maximum driving time in a given period if you only have limited time to energize.
As an Emergency Backup
At times when one is still several miles to his/her destination and the battery is critically low, the car owner cannot wait for 4-6 hours to charge on a level 2 charger but needs to get to his/her destination as soon as possible, a DC fast charger can give enough charge to get a car owner “limping” home.
Despite all these, here are some of the specific ways on how to use a DC fast charger:
Using a DC fast charger to charge your EV battery is a simple process, but there are some best practices to follow:
- Park correctly –Ensure that you park your EV correctly in front of the charger station in a manner that the charging cable is able to comfortably stretch to the charging port.
- Plug in –The most common connectors for DC fast charging are the SAE Combo connector cable that is usually attached to the station, the CHAdeMO cable is generally available on the same station. Make sure the connector is inserted well into the charging input port of your vehicle.
- Connect the car to the charger. Depending on the design of the charger and the car model, the charging process may start as soon as the vehicle connects to the charger or you may have to press a button on the touch screen at the charging station.
- Charging progress –As the charging session progresses, you can view the state of charge on the instrument cluster inside the vehicle. Many EVs and charging stations have features or signs that alert drivers when charging is near completion.
- Charging level –Another essential aspect to consider is to notice the charging level and then disconnect the connector from the vehicle as per the charging instructions on the charger.
- Check billing –If there are charging fees, then make the payment by inserting the RFID card, credit card, using a smartphone application or through a member account available on the payment terminal situated at the charger.
DC fast charging is another helpful solution for drivers of EVs if they have little time to refuel and get back to their errands. If used correctly, this type of charging technology is safe and efficient, and the following guidelines will help to make the overall charging experience a positive one.
DC Fast Charging Etiquette
More people are now using public DC fast charging stations. Therefore drivers must adhere to certain etiquette to make the process easier for many people.
Here are some essential etiquette guidelines when using a shared DC fast charging station:
– This is meant to be applicable only when the car is being charged and at the EV charging spot only.
– Keep your car in motion when the charge is full
– Treat the charging station touch screens and equipment with care
– Ensure charging areas are clean and avoid littering the surroundings
– Try to get off the charging point as soon as your device is fully charged or when other people are waiting
– Do not disconnect another car to charge it at that spot
The following guidelines are for handling DC fast charging so that it delivers a good charging experience to every user.
Currently, more and more DC fast chargers can be seen to be deployed along highways, communities and businesses. This means that knowing when to use the DC fast charging and how to do it properly is very important when one is using an electric car. As you will see, since the ability to fast charge and how often a driver will fast charge their vehicle can be different for each driver, being able to use a DC fast charge when the driver is in a bind, but not rely on it for day-to-day charging can be beneficial for drivers.
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