If you're an electric vehicle driver, sooner or later you'll have to charge your car in public. Charging your EV can be easy if you know where to go and what to do. In this article, we'll give you the complete guide to charging your EV in public! One of your most important responsibilities as an owner of an electric vehicle is to ensure that the battery stays charged within a certain range. According to the Green Energy Consumers Alliance, a battery charge of 20% to 80% is the best range. It will help keep your vehicle running at its maximum potential. What do you do if you are on the road and find your battery level is below recommended? A public charging station is a great option. Let's look at how to find the closest charging stations and how to plan your road trip so that everything runs smoothly.
5 Tips to Charging Your EV in Public
When you're driving an electric vehicle, it's important to know how to charge it in public. There are a few things you can do to make the process go smoothly.
1. Use an app to find public EV charging points.
If you're looking for public EV charging points in Ireland, there are numerous apps to help you with that. Some of these are ESB Connect, GOcharge, EasyGo, PlugShare, and more. These apps show you all the public EV charging points in Ireland, as well as their availability and charge rates. You can also filter by location, type of charger, and current availability. These apps are free to download and use. These are available on both iOS and Android.
2. Plan your route ahead of time
If you're driving an electric vehicle (EV) in Ireland, it's important to plan your route ahead of time to find public EV charging points. There are a number of public EV charging points located across the country, and you can use the apps stated above to find them.
3. Know the types of public EV charging points
There are three main types of public EV charging points: fast chargers, slow chargers, and rapid chargers. Fast chargers are suitable for quick top-ups, while slow chargers are better for overnight charging. Rapid chargers are the quickest type of charger, but they are also the most expensive to use. When choosing a public EV charger, it is important to consider the type of charger that is best suited to your needs.In charging your EV in public, it's crucial to note down the type of EV chargers that they use and compare it to your vehicle when you choose an EV charging station. There is no standard for EV plugs so be sure to know what type you have and only choose to charge stations that match your vehicle. There are a few types of EV plugs: CHAOdeMO, CCS, NEMA 14-50, and J1772.
4. Bring the right cables.
To plug into an untethered charging station, you will need your cable. Public charging stations in Ireland and workplace chargers don't have an attached cable. This is why you must have your charging cables, even if you already own a tethered charger at home.
5. Top off your charge when you have the chance.
If you're driving long distances, it's a good idea to stop and recharge even if you don't need a full charge. That way, you'll be sure to have enough power to get to your destination.
What is the best way of charging your EV in public?
The best way to charge EVs is by using public charging stations, and there are a few different ways to access public EV charging points. The most common way is through a membership with a public EV charging network. With a membership, you can use your card or mobile app to pay for charging sessions at any participating charging station. Another way to access public EV charging points is by paying with a credit or debit card at stations that accept credit card payments. And finally, some public EV charging points allow drivers to pay with cash or coins. So, whether you're a member of a public EV charging network or not, there are plenty of options for charging your EV.
Frequently Asked Questions About EV Charging
EV car owners have a lot of questions regarding public charging stations, and here are just some of them.
Should I charge my EV to 100% every night?
One of the great things about electric vehicles is that you never have to go to a gas station again. You can just charge up at home overnight. But should you charge your EV to 100% every night? It's not necessarily the best idea. First of all, it's not good for the battery to be constantly kept at full charge. Also, if you have public EV charging points available to you, it's often cheaper to charge up during off-peak hours. So if you can, it's best to charge up to 80% or so overnight and then top up during the day. That way, you'll save money and extend the life of your battery.
Will fast charging damage the EV battery?
As the number of public EV charging points continues to increase, there is an important question that needs to be considered: will fast charging damage EV batteries?There are two main types of public EV charging points: Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 charging stations use a standard 120-volt outlet and can add about 3 to 5 miles of range per hour of charge. Level 2 charging stations use a 240-volt outlet and can add about 25 miles of range per hour of charge. While Level 2 charging is much faster, it is also more expensive to install and operate. So, what does this mean for EV batteries? Can they handle the faster charge times associated with Level 2 public EV charging points?The good news is that most EV batteries are designed to withstand fast charge times. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, fast charging will result in lower overall battery capacity over time. This means that your EV's range will gradually decrease as you use the faster charger more often. Second, fast charging can put additional stress on your EV's cooling system, so it's important to make sure that it is in good working order before using a public EV charger.Overall, fast charging is unlikely to damage your EV battery if you take a few precautions. However, it is important to keep in mind that it will reduce the overall lifespan of the battery. If you're planning on charging your EV outside of your home on a regular basis, it may be worth investing in a second battery pack so that you can swap out the one that is being used more frequently.
EV Charging Station Installation for Home by EcoPlex
If you're thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle, you may be wondering about charging your EV outside. After all, you'll need somewhere to charge your car when you're away from home. Fortunately, there are a number of public charging stations available, and they're generally easy to find and use. However, if you're looking to avoid the hassle of finding and using public charging points, you may want to consider an EV charging station installation for home.The best way to charge EVs is with a home charging station. You can charge your car whenever and wherever you want - no need to worry about finding a public charger that's available and in working order. Plus, many home charging stations come with built-in features that make charging easier and more convenient than ever. So if you're ready to make the switch to an electric vehicle, spare yourself the hassle of public chargers and install a home EV charging station today.EcoPlex Energy Solutions will give you the convenience and safety of using a home EV charger. Contact us today so we can start your installation!
