You would probably agree that electric vehicles (EV) are becoming more and more popular. Before there can be a big switch to electric cars, though, a good network of charging stations needs to be set up so that potential owners don’t have to worry about their range.
Your local gas station may have gotten a bit of a facelift in the last few years. As more and more electric cars hit the road through 2030 and beyond, EV charging stations in India are popping up in different parts of the country. But how could the same thing that makes your electric toothbrush buzz also be used to move a two-ton vehicle from 0 to 60 mph without making a sound? Well, don’t scratch your head, because now you know how charging stations for cars work.
The right infrastructure
EV technology has been around since the 1800s, and the basics of these early electric vehicles are not too different from what you have now. The power to turn the wheels and move the car forward came from a frame of rechargeable fuel cells, and many early EVs could be charged by the same kind of electrical outlets that powered certain lights and appliances in homes from the turn of the century. At a time when horse-drawn carriages were the most common type of vehicle on the road, it may be hard to imagine a battery-powered car. However, the first people to make cars tried out all kinds of power systems, from pedals and steam to batteries and liquid fuel. In many ways, it seemed like EVs were in the lead when it came to mass production because they didn’t really need big water tanks and heating systems to make steam, and they didn’t really blow out smoke and noise like gasoline engines.
How does an EV charging station work today?
Well, in a basic way, not much has changed: a plug goes into the charging port on the car, and the other end is plugged into an electrical outlet. In some cases, this is the same outlet that powers the lights and appliances in a home. Technology and engineering have come a long way over the years, making the process easier and much more efficient.
There are two main types of chargers based on how much power they can provide. Level 1 chargers use the same standard 120v outlets found in homes and garages. Each hour of charging can add up to 5 miles of range, which is perfect for a commuter who lives close to their office and can let their car charge overnight after work. Level 2 chargers can add up to 20 miles of range per hour of charging, but they need extra equipment to handle higher-capacity 240v residential outlets and 208v commercial outlets, like those you might find in an office building or complex.
Keep in mind that EV charging stations in India work by taking electricity from one of many sources and sending it to the car. Depending on the design and model of an EV, there are a few standard plugs, vehicle outlets, and battery types. However, it is usually said that an EV uses the electricity stored in its fuel cells to power a motor that turns the wheels.
So, now that you know how the idea of charging stations for electric cars works, you can feel better about your cars.