Tips about EV charging

This story first appeared in the January issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Driving an EV is fun, easy and addictive.

I am yet to find someone who has driven an EV and not liked the experience.

There are many things to like about EVs.Learning where all the buttons are to make it go is no different to finding all the buttons in a late model ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle.

After one trip around the block, most will be used to how an EV works (and won’t want to go back to petrol or diesel).
An EV is easier to drive than an ICE vehicle, and so adapting is easy too.

Charging
This is the part of driving an EV that provides some minor challenges.

For the most part it is because we are so used to an ICE vehicle and think that recharging of an EV should be similar to filling up with petrol or diesel.
Recharging a battery is not like filling up a tank, so some new thinking is required.

In many ways we have been getting prepared for the adoption of EV with charging habits developed using our smart phones.
Charge up at home overnight, and start the day with a full charge.
A phone will get through a day with normal use.
Use it more than normal and you will want to look for places to top up the charge.
This is how it will be for most with an EV.

The difference between your phone battery and the EV battery is size and storage capacity.

Energy storage is usually measured in kWh (kilowatt hours) which is effectively power over time – the amount of energy stored.

An EV driving 100km will use a similar amount of energy that a New Zealand home will use in a day.
So, with this in mind it is easier to understand that when and how you charge an EV can have a significant impact on the electrical supply to your home.

Many refer to the monthly “power” bill, but this is more correctly termed an “energy” bill.
At home we are charged for units of energy, and a unit of energy is 1kWh.

Power is measured in watts (W) but with one watt being so small we normally refer to kW (kilowatts).

So, the instantaneous power used to charge your EV is measured in kW.
This is the 3.
5kW or 7.
5kW you may have heard of with reference to the “size” of the onboard charger.

It is often spoken about the effect on the electrical network with the adoption of EVs.
We do need more energy to charge a fleet of EVs, but if done correctly we don’t need more power.

Charging at times when other power-using home appliances are not being used is important.
We don’t want to add to the load during the peak times during the day when the available power is running heating, ovens and lights, etc.

Consideration for charging your EV
Because of the amount of current (power) your EV can use to charge, it is recommended you do most of your charging using a permanently connected charging station.
The oven and hot water systems at home are connected to separate circuits for the same reasons.

It is important to be confident that what you are using to charge your EV at home is safe, as most EV charging will occur when you are asleep.
It is recommended to have a dedicated power circuit and a special “Type B” RCD for the charging of your EV.

A smart charger can be an advantage, especially if you can adjust the charging power to suit your needs.

Having a second (possibly portable) charger can be useful in case your main charger is not working for some reason.
If you are the type of person who has multiple chargers for your phone you will probably want to have a second charger for your EV.

The equipment you use to charge your EV will, in most cases, outlast your EV, so it is worthwhile doing it correctly.

If you have any doubts about the suitability of your home to provide safe and effective EV charging then get an electrician to check and offer some advice.
The team at TransNet eMobility can also offer advice if you are unsure.

Footnote: Glenn Inkster is a renowned New Zealand rally driver who has, with Spencer Winn (Mitsubishi Evo 8), won the annual multi-day Targa New Zealand tarmac motor rally for a record-setting fifth consecutive time.
Inkster plans to be in the 25th anniversary Targa New Zealand event from Taupo to Palmerston North from October 29 to November 2, 2019.