Beginner's guide to Electric Vehicle charging

Been hearing a buzz around electric vehicle charging and want to know more? Maybe you’re considering getting an EV charging point installed at home or your business but you’re not sure where to start. Look no further, as we’ve covered how electric vehicle (EV) charging works and the benefits to going electric in this beginner’s guide to electric vehicle charging. 

How does electric vehicle charging work? 

Charging your electric vehicle is much like charging your phone; when your car battery is running low, you simply plug the car in and leave it to charge up. When charging, alternating current (AC) from the grid is converted to direct current (DC), that your car then uses to run. There are both DC and AC chargers available - DC chargers will perform this conversion for you, whereas AC chargers mean your car will be required to turn the AC into DC, which happens at a slower rate. 

There are four main different charging connector types (Type 1, Type 2 and vehicles built for rapid or ultra-rapid charging will have either a CHAdeMO or CCS connector) and the type needed will depend on your car model. Chargers can also vary in speed, ranging from slow, fast, rapid to ultra-rapid, which will affect the charging time speed and have an impact on installation cost.  

Home chargers are usually slow or fast, whereas public charging stations are often rapid. When charging your car at home, less speed is required as users frequently charge cars overnight, but the length of charge time needed can also vary depending on your electric vehicle model and how much driving you do. 

This should provide some clarity on how electric vehicle charging works, but don’t worry if there seems to be a lot of information to absorb. Your local Mr Charger team will be able to advise you on the most suitable charger for your needs. 

What are the benefits of EV charging? 

So now you know how it works, but what are the benefits of electric vehicle charging? 

Is getting an electric vehicle cost effective?

Choosing an EV charging point is a great decision for your wallet, as it’s been estimated that running an electric vehicle is two times less expensive than a petrol car (The Eco Experts). What’s more, choosing home charging over public charging stations will save you even more money in the long-run. 

It’s estimated that a full, 200 mile range charge at home costs just a little over £15 (much cheaper than a full tank of petrol or diesel), whereas charging at a public charging station usually provides only 90 miles of range and will put you nearly £20 out of pocket. Home charging is not only the cheaper alternative, but often more environmentally friendly too. Slow charging overnight takes advantage of lower electricity prices due to a reduced demand, whilst also helping to balance the electricity grid (Energy Saving Trust).   

Is buying an electric vehicle more sustainable?

Electric vehicles are a great environmentally friendly alternative to petrol cars, as over their lifetime they produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, which are a big contributing factor to global warming. Although people worry about the carbon intensity of the manufacturing process, the energy efficiency and zero exhaust emissions produced by EVs make them a fantastic commitment to long-term sustainability. 

The availability of electric vehicle charging stations

As the popularity of electric vehicles increases, so do the number of public charging stations. There are 3,600 more electric charging locations than petrol stations (The Eco Experts, 2022) in the UK, and from December 2021 to December 2022  there was a 31% increase in the total number of charging devices in the UK (Zap-Map). 

The availability of public charging stations makes boosting your battery easy when on the go. However, there’s no denying the convenience of a home electric vehicle charging point, so you know you can always fully charge up and beat any potential queues. 

Electric vehicle home charging stations 

Mr Charger are leading experts for electric vehicle charging points. Your local team can suggest the best charger for your needs and get you up and running in no time. There are some considerations to make, but Mr Charger makes this easy. Head to our homepage and find out where we operate near you, then simply fill in a quick form and we’ll do the rest! 

If you have any more questions, we’re a friendly bunch, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch and see how we can help.