How does Electric Charging Work?

How do electric cars work? 

If you’re considering switching to an electric vehicle or are just interested in finding out more about the EV, then we are here to help. We are collating articles based on the common questions asked by people researching EV to create the electric vehicle guide. In this article we take a look at how electric cars work. 

Battery power 

The key and most essential part of an electric vehicle is the battery. The battery supplies the power for the vehicle to run. The batteries in electric vehicles are rechargeable. When you have used all of the power from the battery it will need to be plugged in and recharged before you can drive your car again. Electric vehicle batteries store power until it is needed by the engine. EV batteries are measured in kWh, the larger the kWh the longer the battery is likely to last, resulting in a larger range. Batteries are the most important and most expensive component of an electric vehicle. 

Electric motor 

The engine takes the power from the battery and uses it to power the vehicle and turn the wheels. Electric motors have been around for many years and can be used for multiple applications including washing machines, drills, water pumps and much more. The electric motor in a car works in a similar way but draws power from the large battery integrated into the vehicle. 

Charging options 

There are several different charging options when it comes to an all-electric vehicle. You can choose to charge from home using your own power supply or a public charging point which you pay for based on the amount of electricity you use. There are many charging stations around the UK, this network is continuously growing with more charging points being installed daily.  

Charging points can be classified into three categories - rapid, fast and slow.  

Rapid charging  

Rapid charging points offer the quickest way to charge your electric vehicle. They can only be used on electric vehicles that have the ability to rapidly charge. Cars can expect to take their battery up to 80% in 20-30 minutes. These charging points are often located in motorway service stations or close to busy road routes. 

Fast charging 

These are the most common public charging points that you will find, they offer 7-22kW charging. Some have cables tethered, others require you to use your own cable. Most electric cars can be charged using this type of charging point, as long as you have the correct charging cable. These can be found in supermarket petrol stations, car parks and at the side of the road, typically they are located in areas where you are likely to be spending an hour or two. The charging time ranges from 1-2 hours to 4-6 hours depending on the kW output. 

Slow charging 

Slow charging is the slowest way to charge your electric vehicle. These are the type of chargers that can be found in workplaces and homes, places where you will be spending a significant amount of time. They offer 3kW - 6kW output, which can take from 6-12 hours to charge. All electric vehicles offer this type of charging. Chargers like these are typically what people use to charge their cars overnight at home.