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Monday, February 21, 2011

Getting a Charge Out of Your Electric Car


Range anxiety. Charge time.

These are two serious concerns for prospective adopters of electric car technology.

Charging time and charge rate depend on a variety of factors. Most figures assume a battery is empty when they “sell” the stats on a particular car. On the other end, things such as the weather also affect how far you can go, as well as what type of driving you do. Unless you are taking a long range trip, you are unlikely to maintain a certain speed continuously. The figures offered tend to err on the side of being conservative. 


Charge times can vary from 3-8 hours at 220V, which requires the use of a public charger or the installation of a private one. Home charging stations can be expensive (around $2000) but they will eventually pay for themselves in convenience. The use of a typical American 110V home outlet may take over 20 hours. Charge rates depend on the station, but amplitude also affects the charge time. Higher voltage, higher amplitude produces relatively shorter charge time, which varies by car make, and battery type. Typically a 240V charging station charges at 6 to 6.6 kwh per hour, so charge time also depends on the charge capacity of the battery. Higher takes longer. Given the variety of factors affecting charge time and range it’s understandable that many companies are reserved in their estimates. 

Cars with navigation systems will keep a lookout for the 240V public stations as you travel, but 110V stations will not be advertised unless next to a 240V one. In addition there are quick charging stations that will typically charge your car in under 30 minutes, although high capacity batteries may take longer.

Portland has installed a fast charge station at the Two World trade center downtown. The charger is free, but it costs $3 to park. That’s a pretty good deal if you’re in the area.

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/battle-of-the-batteries-comparing-electric-car-range-charge-times/

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