Resources
HOW DO EVs CHARGE?
In very simple terms, there are 3 “speeds” for charging electric vehicles: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
A Level 1 charger involves plugging into a common 110V AC outlet like you’d find in a home or business. The vehicle’s charging system converts the AC electricity into DC electricity to charge the battery. Level 1 is inefficient and impractical for almost all charging purposes and generally only used in emergencies. We can measure a Level 1 charger’s ability to fully charge a vehicle in DAYS.
A Level 2 charger uses 220-240V AC electricity (similar to your dryer) and a charging controller with a special plug to charge the vehicle. This is the type of charger that most EV users install in their homes. Here again, the vehicle’s charging system converts AC electricity to DC electricity to charge the battery. We can measure a Level 2 charger’s ability to fully charge a vehicle in HOURS.
A Level 3 charger is a bit different. These chargers are typically installed in public and/or commercial areas. They use 480V, 3-phase electricity and convert the AC electricity to DC electricity BEFORE entering the vehicle. The conversion of electricity inside the charger allows for a much faster charge. We can measure a Level 3 charger’s ability to fully charge a vehicle in MINUTES.
WHY DO WE NEED LEVEL 3 CHARGERS IN RURAL AREAS?
A bit over 80% of all EV charging takes place at the home. Plugging in and charging overnight with a Level 2 charger is perfectly fine when it’s your home, but on the road, it’s different. EV users traveling through a community need to be able to charge up quickly and be on their way to their final destinations. Even with a fast, Level 3 charging station, there’s still time for a cup of coffee, a brief recreational activity, or even a bit of shopping, so there’s still an economic gain. But without a fast charging option, EV users will simply choose a different route. Installing a Level 2 charger in a public area to serve travelers is not a practical option. Most people simply do not have time to wait hours to charge their car.
Even if a town is the traveler’s final destination, similar reasoning applies. Plugging into a Level 2 charger for 3-4 hours may be ok for the first traveler to arrive, but what happens when the second, third or fifteenth EV user arrives in town? Charging up quickly and then freeing up that charging station for the next user is essential to creating a destination environment designed for more than one user.
HOW ARE ECONOMIC ENGINES CREATED?
EV operators require amenities while charging, just like anyone else fueling a vehicle. Present fuel stations focus on fast, convenient services. Though we use the word “fast” to describe Level 3 EV charging stations, a typical “fast” charge time is still 15-45 minutes. Amenities must no longer focus on fast, but rather tailored to the EV charging experience. It’s a new engine powering micro economies, opening the door for community interaction with EV charge station visitors. Grocery stores and restaurants, coffee houses, rest facilities, and even recreational opportunities for EV charging station users can all lead to economic gains for the local community. Not to mention longer-term activities such as shopping and tourism.