Charging an electric vehicle - everything you need to know

The electric vehicle requires charging, just as a combustion engine vehicle requires refueling. When we are about to run out of fuel, all we need to do is simply enter the nearest gas station, refuel, and continue driving. Charging the vehicle is not the same as refueling a vehicle, and charging can be planned according to need.

Charging the electric vehicle is possible through regular-slow charging (AC) or fast charging (DC), each with its advantages and disadvantages. The field of electric vehicle charging can be divided into home charging and public charging.

Regular-Slow Charging or Fast Charging

When we want to charge the electric vehicle, we have two options: regular-slow charging (AC) or fast/ultra-fast charging (DC). The electric vehicle can be charged by connecting a cable from the charging station to the electric vehicle.

Regular Charging (AC) - Low-power charging, possible through a charging station installed in the home parking lot, but it can also be found in public places such as shopping centers, some gas stations, public parking lots, and sometimes even around the city.

Regular charging is defined as "slow" charging, and the charging time lasts several hours depending on the station's ability to supply and the vehicle's ability to receive the requested power.

There are two options for regular charging of an electric vehicle:

• Charging through an AC charging station - This is ideal charging due to its prolonged nature, it is the most convenient and recommended, and usually takes place at night at home or during working hours at the office.
• Charging through a household electrical outlet - The charging is done with a special cable with a protection and charging management component, which sometimes comes with the electric vehicle at the time of purchase or can be purchased separately.

Charging through a household electrical outlet is not recommended for regular use as it overloads the household electrical output, is not suitable for constant electric vehicle charging, and the charging time may take a long time.

Important to know: According to the guidelines of the Electricity Authority, an electric vehicle can be charged in a household outlet with high power for up to two hours, or through an industrial electrical outlet. To install such outlets, you need to contact a certified electrician.

There are several advantages to regular charging:

• Convenience - Usually, a regular charging station is in the parking lot, so charging the vehicle eliminates the need to visit the gas station and allows efficient use of time.
• The cost of regular charging is significantly cheaper than fast charging.
• An electric vehicle whose main charging is regular charging will maintain a higher battery lifespan and fewer malfunctions related to the vehicle's battery.

Fast/Ultra-Fast Charging (DC) - High-power charging, possible through a charging station installed only in public places such as shopping centers, some gas stations, public parking lots, and sometimes even around the city.

Fast charging allows the electric vehicle to be charged in a relatively short time and allows filling about 80% of the battery capacity within about half an hour.

This type of charging is recommended only when necessary, when we want to go on a long trip that requires charging the vehicle during the trip. The battery lifespan is more affected by fast charging than regular charging, so it is recommended that the total fast charges do not exceed 10% of all charges.

The advantage of fast/ultra-fast charging allows shortening the charging time to about half an hour compared to regular charging, which lasts several hours. On the other hand, the disadvantage of fast/ultra-fast charging is the cost, which can be up to three times higher than regular charging.

Charging Time of the Electric Vehicle

The charging time of an electric vehicle depends on several factors:

• Battery charge status - You can see the remaining battery percentage on the dashboard. The amount displayed will determine the charging time, and it can be said that the first 80% of the battery charges faster than the remaining 20%.
• Battery capacity - Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and besides its impact on driving range, it also affects the charging time. The larger the battery capacity, the longer the charging time, and vice versa.
• The electrical power of the charging station, which can supply the electric vehicle.
• The maximum electrical power that the electric vehicle can receive from the charging station.

Cost of Charging an Electric Vehicle

The answer depends on where the electric vehicle is charged: the cost of charging the vehicle at a home charging station depends on the rate set by the electricity company, which currently stands at 62.50 agorot per kilowatt-hour (kWh). On the other hand, the cost of charging the vehicle at a public charging station will be higher and depends on the rate set by the charging company.

Where Can You Find Public Charging Stations?

In Israel, there are currently thousands of public charging stations, with the division being about 3,400 regular charging stations (AC) and about 600 fast charging stations (DC).

Each charging company has a map of charging stations scattered throughout the country, which can be easily found in a dedicated app or on the website.

Additionally, there are several apps that help locate the charging station and provide information about the station's availability, charging cost, location, and even the option to navigate to the station.