The European Union (EU) recently agreed that the internal combustion engine should be a thing of the past by 2035. The aim of the so-called “Green Deal” – which also includes the end of the combustion engine – is to sustainably reduceCO2 emissions and therefore no longer allow any new vehicles with combustion engines. The future is therefore clearly electric cars. More and more companies and private individuals are therefore already opting for electric mobility. However, anyone who decides to buy an electric car in 2024 will first have to deal with two key questions:
The good news is that the field of e-mobility is currently developing rapidly. Charging stations are being developed in private and public spaces and research into new technologies in the field of electromobility is ongoing. But let’s first look at the supposed Achilles heel of e-mobility: charging points and charging times.
First of all, it is important to know that a basic distinction is made between AC charging (alternating current) and DC charging (direct current). AC stands for “alternating current” and DC for “direct current”. In AC charging, the alternating current drawn from the power grid is converted to direct current in the vehicle. This direct current then charges the battery of the electric vehicle. The difference with DC charging: The electricity is converted to direct current directly in the charging station before it is charged directly into the vehicle’s battery. And here lies the first difference in charging time: AC charging, also known as “normal charging” or “regular charging”, takes considerably longer than DC charging, which is also known as “fast charging” .
However, the biggest difference in AC charging of electric cars arises in the vehicle itself and less in the infrastructure. It depends in particular on the power of the vehicle’s onboard charger. Typical power levels are 11kW or 22kW. 22kW is the exception here and is only possible in conjunction with a 3 x 32 amp supply, which is only available in a few households/parking garages/underground garages/parking lots. The most common is 3 x 16 amps, which enables a charging capacity of approx. 11kW. However, if the vehicle only has a single-phase onboard charger, the charging power is reduced to approx. 3.7kW by the vehicle.
This means that not all e-vehicle models are compatible with a DC charging station!
Now that we have looked at the basic differences between AC and DC charging and also know that the respective car model plays a significant role in the charging time, let’s take a look at an overview of the factors that can influence the charging time of an electric car:
As described above, the charging time depends on many different factors. There is therefore no “one average charging time” for electric cars. On the one hand, the charging time depends on the available supply power from the charging station, the performance of the battery during charging, the state of charge of the battery and the capacity or energy content of the battery. For this example, we assume an energy content of 80kWh of the battery. However, a distinction can be made based on the corresponding charging power at the corresponding charging station:
In general, three different types of charging can be distinguished depending on the charging capacity:
Source: Shell
Please note: Fast charging is practical, but more expensive and not possible with all e-cars. In addition, fast charging is less gentle on the e-car battery! It should also be noted that AC charging stations are currently predominantly found in private and public spaces. A full charge up to 100% is usually carried out at AC charging stations. DC charging options are mainly available at highway rest stops. It should also be noted that the vehicle batteries greatly reduce the charging capacity at higher charge levels (from approx. 80%). Therefore, fast charging only makes sense up to approx. 80% in order to make rapid progress.
The expansion of DC charging stations (350 kW) will also be a key issue in improving charging times in the future. The high-performance charging stations make it possible to charge electric vehicles in a significantly shorter time and are therefore particularly suitable for long journeys that require several charging stops.
The optimization of e-car models and their technology is another important pillar in terms of “improving charging times” to make DC charging possible in the first place. Advances in battery chemistry for example, could further reduce charging times and increase energy density. Efficient cooling systems also play an important role in safely handling the high charging power without overheating the battery. These technological innovations have not yet reached their full potential and will be decisive for the future of electromobility. Another aspect is the integration of intelligent charging systems that can dynamically adapt and optimize charging. For example, such systems could reduce charging times by adapting charging profiles based on the battery status and current grid conditions.
In addition to technological advances, political measures and investments in the charging infrastructure are also of great importance. Governments and companies must work together to create a comprehensive and efficient network of e-charging stations.
In summary, it can be said that the combination of technological innovations, strategic expansion of the charging infrastructure and political support will be decisive in significantly simplifying the charging of electric cars in the future and considerably shortening charging times.
Cable-Sherpa
Kaplanstrasse 11
4240 Freistadt
AUSTRIA
Information on
Payment methods
Made with ❤️ by OnPoint Marketing | 2024 © Cable-Sherpa. All rights reserved.
