When looking to buy an EV, it’s important to know that there are different types of electric vehicles and not all are suited for the same charger. This can can create a LOT of confusion, so let’s break it down for you.
First up, we have Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). They use a regular combustion engine and electric motors powered by an onboard battery. They charge the battery by braking and the movement of the vehicle, so they are not plugged in to charge.
Next, we have Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). They use an internal combustion engine and a battery-powered electric motor. They can operate in pure-electric, pure-gas or hybrid modes, but have a shorter battery range than all-electric vehicles. PHEVs can be charged, but only by level 1 and level 2 chargers.
Moving on, we have Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). These are entirely powered by their battery and electric motor. They have no internal combustion engine and can generally use every level of charger, including “DC fast chargers.”
Finally, there are Proprietary Chargers. Not all of the EV industry follows the same standardization rules. Some manufacturers make their cars compatible only with a certain kind of charger. As a property owner, it’s important to notice if you’re getting a lot of a certain make of electric vehicle on your property and see if there’s any proprietary hardware to be concerned about.
If you’re an individual, just pick the charger that corresponds with your specific flavor of electric vehicle. If you’re a property owner, you’ll want to figure out which types of vehicles your prospective clientele usually drives. A safe bet is to install level 2 chargers, as they’re fast enough to be useful but are compatible with the widest range of EVs. Whatever you do, pay attention to customer trends and see if you can change your hardware to match.
Sources:
Published May 15, 2023 3:16AM
Eveelife is an eco-oriented lifestyle platform that helps consumers make more purposeful choices about how they live and what they consume. We do it by curating content and products that help them make more conscious, carbon-free choices while amplifying their EV ownership experience.
