What are electric car chargers and how do they work?

Although the lack of recharging points for electric vehicles throughout our geography is one of the most concerning aspects for all drivers considering purchasing an electric car (the best-selling electric car in Spain), the truth is that its implementation is gradually increasing through both public and private initiatives. But how do charging stations function? We outline how to go when it is time to charge a battery-powered car through Endesa. Charging the car at home, at the workplace, in a parking lot while you do your shopping, or at a gas station while you have a coffee is already a reality, albeit the process is not the same in all of these locations due to the various modalities:

Conventional recharge

They are the most commonly used in the home. When done at home, the electrical intensity and voltage contracted by the home are employed, for example, 16 amps and 230 volts. This would suggest that the point's electrical power for this sort of load is typically around 3.7 kW, implying a full load in roughly 16 hours. Considering the existing electrical system, the best time to recharge the automobile in terms of energy efficiency is at night, when there is less energy demand. These installations are often performed in the garage of the home, whether single-family or multi-family. Endesa X provides the JuiceBox in this situation, which permits charging in less time and during periods of reduced energy usage. Do you know which automobiles use the least amount of gas?

Semi-fast recharge

This approach is ideal for work centers or regions where we will stay between an hour and an hour and a half with the car parked (shopping malls, supermarkets, etc...). Depending on conditions such as the car's battery or available electricity, the vehicle is plugged in for one to three hours to receive a complete charge. If the average parking period in a car park is one hour, it is possible to assure 80% capacity in that time.

This system employs 32 amps of intensity and 230 volts of electrical voltage, implying that the device's electrical output varies from 7.4 to 22 kW. When the highest power available is up to 22kW in alternating current, the aforementioned Endesa X JuicePole allows for a nearly complete charge in around an hour (AC). It also enables the charging of two cars at the same time, owing to its dual Type 2 outlets, which promote vehicle rotation in the centers where they are located.

Fast charge

This method is more akin to traditional refueling (what is the difference between 95 and 98 gasoline?). As a result, it is great for service stations or roadside eateries where we will only be staying for a brief time. In this situation, the car must be connected for 20 to 30 minutes to acquire an 80% charge, with an average battery allowing up to 30 kWh.

This modality permits energy to be provided in direct current with an output power of up to 50 kW, however equipment that delivers quick charges in alternating current with a maximum output power of up to 43 kW is also available. The connections in this sort of equipment differ from earlier ones in that they include safety mechanisms that are tailored to the high amperage they convey. The CCS Combo connection and the CHAdeMO connector are the two most commonly used in this instance. Its application must be viewed as an extension of autonomy at times when we are traveling vast distances. Do you know which electric vehicles have the most autonomy on the market?

The electrical needs are higher in this situation than in a traditional or semi-rapid system, which may necessitate the modification of the current electrical network. As a result of this, and the intricacy of the installation, the sites where this technology may be deployed are limited. In this case, Endesa X has JuicePump, a device consisting of three connectors built into the charger itself (similar to a fuel pump) that allows charging in both direct current and alternating current, allowing you to plug in two vehicles simultaneously, as long as one is connected to direct current and the other to alternating current.

Ultra-fast recharge

It is the most modern choice and the closest thing to a real gas station because it has an output power of 150kW and can charge the battery in only five minutes. Because they are appropriate for direct current charging, the connections they utilize are nearly identical to those used by fast chargers. Logically, its deployment is less, while Endesa X's plan includes building 8,500 public access points throughout Spain, where recharge outlets of this sort are also planned.

How does a charging point work?

Once chosen, the process is straightforward. The cable is disconnected from the car and attached to the pointed plug. That's the end of it. In this manner, the recharging stations transfer energy from the network to the vehicle's batteries, which are provided according to the type of charger chosen. Technology has also advanced in this area, and businesses such as Endesa are actively developing induction or pantograph systems for public transportation since it is projected that 80% of buses will be 100% electric in just 20 years. After seeing all of this, the only thing left to do is purchase the vehicle in question, and there is nothing better than looking at the list of the cheapest electric vehicles available right now.