Range anxiety that the EV battery pack will deplete before you reach a charging station or destination has restrained people from quickly embracing electric cars in Australia. Even there is less support from the government for electric cars and public charging stations. EV driving range is practical for the majority of trips and there are multiple charging options. There are three EV types –
- Hybrid
- Plug-in hybrid EVs [PHEVs]
- Battery EVs [BEVs]
The driving range of PHEVs is longer than pure BEVs. It has a petrol/diesel engine as a backup for long drives but short commutes are possible with pure battery power. So, you see it is not just the battery size that will make a difference but even its model and make. The PHEVs in Australia are equipped with lithium-ion batteries. However, the connectors and plugs differ between different makes. Therefore the charge point type will also differ.
The power level that the charging point delivers is a part of the electric car’s charging scene. The other half is charger type and the car itself. The ports and plugs have several pins – some transfer electricity and a few detect and manage electricity flow. Even if you have a car with a type 1 plug then you can choose the type 1 to 2 adapter from Jucer to charge at the different charging station types.
Type 1 is a 5-pin structure and not so common in Australia but can be found in old models. Type 2 is a 7-pin Mennekes plug structure that is available in a majority of BEVs seen in Australia.
Charge at free-standing home
Use a type 1 charger to charge the EV at home. The charging cable is generally supplied with the new car. You plug it in the standard wall socket in your garage. If you want to add a little charging speed, then install a wall-box charger. It delivers fast charging and the majority of EV models are fully charged overnight.
Charge at an apartment
If the apartment has a private garage then you will use level 1 or get a level 2 charger fixed. Most apartment owners have car space but it is common property. Many hardly have any power points or wiring besides the lighting. You will need to discuss the desire to charge the EV at home with the owner’s corporation and also have to pay for wiring upgrades in the entire park space to make it charger-ready.
Charging option for on-street parking
Even if you park your EV near the house and use an extension cord to charge a car at level 1 then it is not permissible. An extension cord can cause an electrical or tripping hazard for pedestrians. Public charging stations can be the ideal option for EV owners that cannot charge at home.
Charging at public charging stations
If there is no option for EV charging at home then get familiar with public charging stations on the street. Even if you have a charging station at home, you may need to use the public charger while on road. In Australia, the number of public charging points is less than in other countries but as demand is increasing so is the number of public charging infrastructure.