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Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) controls the transfer of electricity from the local power supply to an electric vehicle (EV) so its batteries can recharge safely and efficiently. While electric vehicle supply equipment is the industry’s technical term, common — and very acceptable — names used for EVSE include EV chargers, charging stations, charge points, or charging docks.
When we think of EV charging, our mental picture is an EV connected via a cable to a public charging station or to a box on the wall of a home garage. It looks a lot like connecting a smartphone to a plugged-in charger, only on a much bigger scale. In general principles, it is.
But the universe of EVSE is far more complex. EVSE options range from simple to complex, with multiple form factors, use cases, charging levels, connectors, standards and protocols. So, while it’s perfectly OK to call EVSE an “EV charger,” the term covers a lot of territory.
All EV charging stations, from home chargers to high-power public charging stations, have these components:
Public charging stations also have to have a way to accept payments, such as via mobile apps or hardware options like RFID card readers and charge card readers.
There are several form factors for EVSE housing, ranging from a box on the cable itself to an enclosure mounted a wall or pedestal to the towers you see at public charging locations. The box-on-a-cable is primarily for home charging. Wall- and pedestal-mounted devices can be for home, multi-family residential, workplace, fleet, hotel, retail, or public chargers. Towers are typically found at public and fleet depot locations with multiple charging stations.
At minimum, an EV charger consists of the main relay, which turns the power flow to the vehicle on or off, a control module that manages the relay and the charging session, a power supply that powers the control module and the relay, an electrical circuit for every charging socket (port) or fixed cable attachment, and optionally some kind of user interface like an LCD screen.
Firmware is microcode or software that is embedded into the read-only memory in a hardware device like the controller or the network card in EVSE. Firmware enables these components to operate and communicate with other software running on a device, including software in the EV or the firmware in the network card or an EVSE’s LCD display. The EVSE controller firmware provides a number of functions, including starting and stopping the charging session, ensuring electrical safety, providing cybersecurity protection, and communicating with the EV to determine condition of the battery, state of charge, and amount of power required. Firmware can be updated to provide new functions or extend compatibility with different EV brands and models.
Smart EV chargers are additionally equipped with a WiFi or cellular network connector for communications between the charger and a mobile app or the back-end EV charging management system in the cloud, or both. For home smart chargers, connectivity allows the EV owner to start, stop, and schedule charging and take advantage of time-of-use tariffs to reduce costs.
Home EV chargers can plug into either standard 120-volt household outlets (Level 1 charging) or 240-volt (Level 2 charging) outlets (the service typically used for electric stoves or dryers). Level 2 chargers can also be hardwired directly into 240V household service or 208v commercial service. Multi-charger private and public installations (Level 2 or Level 3) are hardwired to electrical service infrastructure installed specifically for EVSE, which is in turn connected to the grid.
Ports are the receptacles on the EVSE housing that cables attach to. Cable can also be permanently connected to the housing. Cables themselves are flexible conduits for electricity.
At the other end of the cable is the connector that plugs into the port on the EV. Here’s where it gets a little complicated. The type of connector used depends on the level and type of charger, whether it outputs AC or DC electricity, and what connector standard the EVSE supplier or EV charging service provider (EVSP) is supporting, and where you’re located. Here’s a brief summary of EVSE levels, speeds, output, and connectors they use:
At this time, all power grids distribute AC (alternating current) electricity to consumers and businesses, although the frequency varies by location and voltage varies by type of service. All batteries, including disposable and rechargeable batteries — from tiny coin batteries in hearing aids to utility-scale power storage units, receive and output DC (direct current) electricity.
So, for recharging your smartphone or your EV, AC has to be converted to DC. For Level 1 and Level 2 EV charging, the AC-to-DC conversion is handled inside the EV by its onboard charger. Level 3 DC fast chargers, on the other hand, are equipped with converters in the EVSE housing to change grid-supplied AC to high-voltage DC output. For EV charging, the DC power bypasses the EV’s onboard charger and goes directly into the batteries.
Organizations that are providing non-home smart EV charging, whether it’s a few Level 2 chargers at a few locations or thousands of Level 2 and Level 3 chargers across the country, will need EV charging management software. When choosing this software, look for a future-proof, scalable solution that offers brand-agnostic support for all EVSE types and configurations, smart monitoring and control features that enable operational excellence, smart energy management, and support for industry standards and protocols.
Electric cars (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles are relatively new on the market and the fact that they use electricity to propel themselves means a new infrastructure has been put into place, one which few are familiar with. This is why we have created this useful guide to explain and clarify the different charging solutions used to charge an electric car.
In this EV charging guide, you’ll learn more about the 3 places where it’s possible to charge, the 3 different levels of charging available in North America, fast charging with superchargers, charging times, and connectors. You’ll also discover an essential tool for public charging, and useful links to answer all of your questions.
Before we get into those concepts, it is good to know the various terms used for charging stations. They usually all refer to the same thing.
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ShareTweetCharging an electric car or plug-in hybrid is mainly done at home.Home charging accounts actually for 80% of all charging done by EV drivers. This is why it’s important to understand the solutions available, along with the pros of each.
There are two types of home charging: level 1 charging and level 2 charging.
For every electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid, the use of a level 2 home charging station is recommended to help you charge faster and enjoy your EV’s full potential. Provincial and municipal incentives are available in some regions to help with purchase and installation costs. You can also check the following websites for more information.
To enjoy all the benefits of charging at home, you need to use a level 2 home charger.
A level 2 charger allows you to charge your electric car 5 to 7 times faster for a full-electric car or up to 3 times faster for a plug-in hybrid compared to a level 1 charger. This means you’ll be able to maximize the use of your EV and reduce stops to charge at public charging stations.
It takes around four hours to fully charge a 30-kWh battery car (standard battery for an electric car), which allows you to make the most out of driving your EV, especially when you have a limited time to charge.
Home charging is normally done on evenings and at night. Just connect your charger to your electric car when you come home from work, and you’ll be sure to have a fully charged battery the next morning. Most of the time, an EV’s range is enough for all your daily travel, meaning you won’t have to stop at public chargers for charging. At home, your electric car charges while you eat, play with the kids, watch TV, and sleep!
Another advantage of home charging is the low cost of residential electricity compared to the cost of public charging stations and the cost of gas.
Public charging allows EV drivers to charge their electric cars on the road when they need to travel longer distances than allowed by their EV’s autonomy. These public chargers are often located near restaurants, shopping centers, parking spots, and such public spaces.
To locate them easily, we suggest you use ChargeHub’s charging stations map that is available on iOS, Android, and web browsers. The map lets you easily find every public charger in North America. You can also see most chargers’ status in real time, make itineraries, and more. We’ll be using our map in this guide to explain how the public charging works.
There are three main things to know about public charging: the 3 different levels of charging, the difference between connectors and the charging networks.
Charging Levels
Charging Station Connectors
Charging Station Networks
There are 3 standard charging levels used to charge electric cars. All electric cars can be charged with level 1 and level 2 stations. These types of chargers offer the same charging power as the ones you can install at home. Level 3 chargers - also called DCFC or fast charging stations - are much more powerful than level 1 and 2 stations, meaning you can charge an EV much faster with them. that being said, some vehicles cannot charge at level 3 chargers. Knowing your vehicle’s capabilities is therefore very important.
Level 1 is the standard wall outlet of 120 volts. It is the slowest charge level and requires tens of hours to fully charge a 100% electric vehicle and several hours for a plug-in hybrid.
Level 2 is the typical EV plug found in homes and garages. Most public charging stations are level 2. RV plugs (14-50) are also considered level 2 chargers.
Lastly, some public stations are level 3 chargers, also known as DCFC or DC Fast Chargers. These charging stations are the quickest way to charge a vehicle. Note that not every EV can charge at level 3 chargers.
First of all, we recommend you avoid level 1 charging stations. They are too slow and are not adapted to EV drivers’ needs when they’re traveling. If you want to charge in the fastest way possible, you should use a level 3 charger, as these charging stations will provide a lot of range to your EV in a short amount of time. However, charging at a DCFC station is only effective if your battery’s state-of-charge (SOC) is below 80%. After that point, charging will slow down significantly. Therefore, once you reach 80% of charging, you should plug your car into a level 2 charger, since the last 20% of charging are as fast with a level 2 station than a level 3, but it is way cheaper. You can also continue your journey and charge your EV back to 80% at the next level 3 charger you meet on the road. If time is not a constraint and you’re planning to stop several hours at a charger, you should opt for a level 2 which is slower but less expensive.
The most common connector is the SAE J1772 EV plug. All electric cars in Canada and in the US can charge using this plug, even Tesla cars as they come with an adapter. The J1772 connector is only available for level 1 and 2 charging.
For fast charging, the CHAdeMO and SAE Combo (also called CCS for “Combo Charging System”) are the most used connectors by electric cars manufacturers.
These two connectors are not interchangeable, meaning a car with a CHAdeMO port cannot charge using an SAE Combo plug and vice versa. It’s kind of like a gas vehicle that can’t fill up at a diesel pump.
The third important connector is the one used by Teslas. That connector is used on level 2 and level 3 Supercharger Tesla charging stations and are only compatible with Tesla cars.
Connector types
Connector: Port J1772
Level: 2
Compatibility: 100% of electric cars
Tesla: With adapter
Connector: CHAdeMO
Level: 3
Compatibility: Check specifications of your EV
Tesla: With adapter
Connector: SAE Combo CCS
Level: 3
Compatibility: Check specifications of your EV
Tesla: No
Connector: Tesla HPWC
Level: 2
Compatibility: Only Tesla
Tesla: Yes
Connector: Tesla supercharger
Level: 3
Compatibility: Only Tesla
Tesla: Yes
Wall Plugs
Wall Plug: Nema 515, Nema 520
Level: 1
Compatibility: 100% of electric cars, Charger is required
Connector: Nema 1450 (RV plug)
Level: 2
Compatibility: 100% of electric cars, Charger is required
Connector: Nema 6-50
Level: 2
Compatibility: 100% of electric cars, Charger is required
Before driving to a charging station, it is important to know if your vehicle is compatible with the connectors available. This is especially important for non-Tesla DCFC stations. Some may have just a CHAdeMO connector, others just an SAE Combo CCS connector, and others will have both. Also, some vehicles, like the Chevrolet Volt - a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, is not compatible for Level 3 stations. Make sure you know your vehicle compatibilities before planning a trip. With our charging map, you will be able to apply the right filters to only show chargers compatible with your electric car.
To be able to properly use public chargers, you’ll have to learn which charging networks are available in your area. There are many different public charger operators across Canada and the United States. Most of them are specific to certain areas, but there can be several of them in the same area. There are two categories of station network operators:
To use a networked charger, also known as smart public charging stations or connected stations, you must subscribe to the network. In most cases, registration is free and fees only apply when you use their chargers, although some of them can be used free of charge. You’ll need the RFID card or the mobile app of the network to activate and use the charger.
ChargePoint
Membership Required
USA + Canada
Blink (CarCharging)
Membership Required
USA + Canada
SemaConnect / SemaCharge
Membership Required
Activate and pay directly from the ChargeHub app
USA + Canada
EVgo
Membership Required
USA
Electrify America / Electrify Canada
Membership Required
USA + Canada
Webasto (Formerly Aerovironment)
Membership Required
USA
Shell Recharge
Membership Required
USA + Canada
FLO
Membership Required
Canada
ZEF Energy
Membership Required
USA
OP Connect
Membership Required
USA
GE WattStation
Membership Required
USA + Canada
Circuit Électrique
Membership Required
Quebec, Ontario
myEVroute
Membership Required
Ontario
Tesla (Superchargers & Destination)
Membership not required, but limited to Tesla vehicles
USA + Canada
EVduty
Some EVduty chargers require membership while others do not
Canada
eCharge
Membership Required
New Brunswick
Sun Country Highway
No Membership Required
USA + Canada
Volta
No Membership Required
USA
Astria
Membership Required
USA + Canada
Independent public chargers are installed by local businesses or by individuals who want to make charging available on their property. It’s not necessary to be a member of a network to use those chargers. Some conditions may apply to some of them.
Workplace charging works very similarly to home charging. It is offered by an employer to their employees. The employees therefore have access to parking spaces with level 2 or level 1 charging stations during the day. Depending on your habits, charging at work could provide enough power for all of your travels.
When combined with home charging, workplace charging can double your daily electric range. This is particularly interesting for plug-in hybrids, as you can use the electric motor for longer distances and therefore save money on fuel.
Level 2 charging allows you to charge faster, which is particularly interesting for part-time employees or for workplaces where employees are not in for the entire day.
The electricity costs of workplaces charging are often taken on by the employer, which means employees can charge at work for free. In other cases, the employer charges fees to use the charger, but the cost is usually lower than charging at a public charger.
In order to encourage employers to install charging stations for their employees, many governments have put in place programs that reduce purchasing and installation costs, as well as different advantages for the employer. However, many employers are unaware of the existence of these programs, and it falls on the shoulders of interested employees to talk to them about it.
Now that you are more familiar with all types of charging for an electric car or plug-in hybrid, we suggest you read our guide on how to choose your level 2 home charger. Since 80% of your charging will be done at home, it’s really important to choose a charging station that answers your needs.
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