Electric car charging stations, how do they work?

Electric car charging stations or electric charging stations are also known as charging points or power equipment for electric vehicles.

It can charge the battery of all types of electric and plug-in vehicles (e.g., hybrid cars). The two main types are DC direct current with fast mode and AC alternating current, which is supplied by the power grid.

Most electric cars come with an on-board charger with an AC-DC converter.

Charging stations provide connectors suitable for a wide variety of vehicles, complying with different international standards.

Before understanding how charging stations for electric vehicles work, here is a bit of data to clarify the current prevalence of these devices.

Electric vehicle columns: how widespread are they in Europe?

Among the goals of the European Green Deal (or Green Pact-a set of policies aimed at fostering ecological transaction) is to arrive by 2025 at 1 million charging stations, hand in hand with the tenfold growth of electric vehicles and the resulting ban on registration from 2035 of gasoline, diesel and hybrid cars.

The target, however, is far from being reached, with half of the charging stations in operation today in only two countries-the Netherlands (90,000) and Germany (60,000).

There are 30,704 charging points in Italy (June 22 data from E-Motus) with a clear gap between north, south and islands against 136,7541 vehicles registered in 2021.

Meanwhile, the EU has promoted a common standard for connectors and improved access to different charging networks. More communication campaigns and incentives are undoubtedly needed.

The grassroots deployment of charging stations remains essential to cope with the increase in electric vehicle registrations.

Eric-Mark Huitema, general manager of Acea – European Automobile Manufacturers Association – explained that in order to facilitate its deployment, all problems associated with recharging must be eliminated because, “le people need to see many charging points in their daily environment and they need to be fast and easy to use.”

But, how does a charging point work?

The operation of electric car columns

Electric car charging stations are devices from which vehicles equipped with electric batteries can be recharged.

It is the latter that is recharged, if the vehicles are equipped with an electric powertrain i.e., an electric powertrain and battery recharged externally from an energy source.

The operation of charging columns is regulated by IEC 61851-1whichestablishes the technical parameters and modes.

The types and modes of charging a wallbox or electric car charging station can be of 4 types:

1. Slow-charging, with home electrical outlet;
2. Medium charge, via a wallbox;
3. Fast-charging, with public or private charging stations:
4. Ultrafast charging, through public charging stations.

The four charging modes include:

Mode 1: Slow charging with direct connection to the power grid; connection to a standard 16 A AC outlet (power up to 7kW). Mostly electric scooters and bikes make use of this type, via a Shuko or industrial-type socket (types 1 32 A and 320 V).

Mode 2: medium charging, needs a control unit between vehicle and power grid, is versatile and also called “mobile charger,” so not fixed like wallbox. Recharges electric vehicles up to a maximum of 22kW via Shuko or industrial 32 A outlet with charging equipped with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) therefore safer.

Mode 3: Rapid charging from fixed columns or wall boxes, i.e., AC infrastructure with control units and protection systems. Excellent for private and residential use. It can be recharged either slowly or rapidly (at 16 A or 63° and 400V) depending on the device. They can be private or public, portable or fixed charging stations with power up to 22KW.

Mode4: the fastest charging, is exclusively public and uses direct current. With charger external to the electric vehicle, charging up to 200 A and 400V. Although most columns go up to 150 kW, there are solutions such as Japanese-standard CHAdeMo or European-standard CCS Combo2 connectors that go up to 345 kW.

Hybrid vehicles come with a special “plug-in” that allows them to make use of this technology in addition to the combustion engine (gasoline or diesel).

The electric column distributes energy and can produce it; wallboxes (wall-mounted charging points) are of different types and installed in public and private spaces as needed.

Private columns are generally connected to the local power grid and require appropriate certification and testing by qualified electricians.

Public ones are found in spaces such as parking lots, rest areas, highways, and anywhere access is open to the public.

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The advantages of electric charging

Electric charging emissions are zero; in modes 1, 2, and 3 the battery charger is integrated into the car and charging is done with the specific cable provided.

The compatibility of the vehicle with the charging station should always be checked.

As of March 2021, each charging station must by obligation display a new label, complete with all the necessary data for vehicles and charging stations.

The labels to be placed on the devices are essential to avoid damage to vehicles and speed up charging operations, including, at least in the EU, the type of charging (DC or AC), the type of connectors, all with simplified graphics to be understood by all European countries.

The state of charge (SoC) can be monitored from the pillar display or the on-board system, as well as through special apps.

Future development includes the extension of the fast charging standard for light trucks and the multiplication of charging stations for heavy vehicles as well, for now projects underway in the US.

Where to recharge the electric car for free?

Generally, several free charging points are spread within supermarket parking lots but also in cities.

Almost all of the free columns are in Alternating Current, that is, with power between 7 and 22 kW.

In some restaurant networks and hotel establishments, it is possible to find Destination Chargers, which are true zero-fee wallboxes.

(Source quotidianomotori.com).

Tesla Destination Chargers are free not only for Heads but for

All types of electric vehicles. Here are the links to see the full map.

Other free charging points can be found in: Iper stores; Decathlon, Aldi, Tigros and in many municipalities free columns are made available to tourists and citizens.

Some can be activated through the EvWay app.

Fastbrain charging stations

Our Charging Stations and Wallboxes for electric vehicles comply with MODE 3 of the international standard IEC/EN 61851-1.

Consisting of one or two built-in Type 2 charging sockets, equipped with Safety Child Shutter in accordance with IEC/EN 62196-2 IPXXD or with integrated cable (Tethered), single-phase or three-phase of various sizes and lengths with power from 3.7 kW to 22 kW.

The built-in Power Balance function can be configured to set the maximum power the charging station will draw from the power grid and automatic load balancing.

Charging Columns, to be installed in any permitted public space, are made of a sturdy anodized aluminum and stainless steel structure and can be installed outdoors.

Wallboxes, “wall-mounted” home charging solutions, are made of sturdy, highly UV-resistant technopolymer plastic housing, suitable for outdoor installation. High degree of protection against dust and water.

Both of our products are particularly suitable forinstallation in private areas, condominium environments, parking lots of hotel facilities, shopping malls or business centers.

The work is performed by qualified technicians and electricians, with dedicated pre and post-installation assistance.

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