Charging an electric car is a fairly simple process that can vary depending on the type of charger. The BeVolt EV-Charger from the BCP series comes with a charging cable and a plug suitable for the car. With this type of charger you can reduce the charging time of your electric car compared to charging directly from the mains.

Charging via a BeVolt charging station works in the following steps:

1. Identify yourself at the charging station - this can be via an app (for android or ios), a tag or RFID card.
2. Connect the charging cable to the vehicle and the station. BCP stations come with integrated cables, in which case you can connect them directly to the car. BCPM stations come without integrated cables, in which case you will have to connect them to the station and the car.
3. Charging: You should see confirmation on your vehicle's display, as well as on the charger's indicator lights.
4. Once charged, you can end the charging session via the station or the mobile app, depending on how you started it.

When charging at home, the electricity used by your EV will simply be added to your electricity bill.

Although EV chargers come in many different shapes and sizes, the main difference is whether they supply alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC).

AC versus DC electricity.

All batteries, including those in EVs, store DC energy, so the AC current coming from the mains must be converted. It's not a question of if, but where this conversion takes place that highlights the main difference between AC and DC chargers.
AC chargers are the most common (and generally slowest) type. Without getting too technical, this is because the conversion takes place in your vehicle and is limited to the power it can process. In most cases, AC charging can reach up to 22 kWh.
To avoid getting too technical, let's look at a practical example. To fully charge a Tesla Model S (which has a 100 kWh battery) at a 22 kW Level 2 charging station would take around 7 hours, while an 11 kW charging station would take around 10 hours to do the same.

One of the main determinants of charging time is the size of the car battery. Just as a large fuel tank takes longer to fill up, generally speaking, the larger the battery, the longer it will take to charge it. But in addition to size, the charging capacity of the car and chargers and even the weather can affect charging times.

Another important factor that will affect an EV's charging time is the battery's state of charge. Due to their chemical structure, batteries can accept more energy at lower charge levels: as they approach 100%, the charging power decreases considerably.

So while charging a car from 20% to 70% may only take a few minutes, charging it from 70% to full charge will take much longer.
In addition to the battery's capacity and state of charge, another element that influences charging time is the car's charging capacity. Not all EVs are rated to accept the same charging power.

While some can support fast charging of up to 350 kWh, many are limited to much lower energy consumptions, often between 100 kWh and 150 kWh. The same applies to slower AC charging: although the theoretical maximum charging power is 22 kWh, many cars can only use 7.4 kWh or 11 kWh.

Linked to the charging capacity of the car is the capacity of the charger, i.e. how much energy it can supply. In general terms, we sell 1 type of charging station.
Level 2 chargers, which provide higher speeds but require professional installation. They are the most common type found in residential, commercial and municipal environments. Most level 2 chargers can deliver at least 7.4 kWh or 11 kWh, with some capable of up to 22 kWh. Charging at these power outputs adds around 40 km, 60 km and 120 km per hour respectively.
Finally, weather conditions, especially temperature, can affect charging speed. In fact, batteries have a narrow ideal operating range of around 21°C. When temperatures are significantly higher or lower, the battery uses some energy to heat up or cool down, increasing the time needed to charge it.

EV charging speeds are highly variable and we've only looked at the surface of the matter.

As with charging times, costs vary greatly depending on your location, utility company and tariff, to name a few. However, two main determinants of charging costs are the kWh price of electricity and the size of your vehicle's battery. Although on average it costs around 12 euros for a full charge.

Chargers with a power of 7.4 kW are connected in single phase, and chargers with a power of 22 kW are connected in three phase.
A 7.4 kW charger is a level 2 charger, providing up to 7.4 kW of power. A 22 kW charger is also a level 2 charger, but delivers up to 22 kW of power.

The main difference between a 7.4 kW charger and a 22 kW charger is the charging speed. A 22 kW charger charges an electric car twice as fast as a 7.4 kW charger.

For example, an electric car with a 75 kWh battery can be charged from 0 to 100% in around 3 hours with a 7.4 kW charger. With a 22 kW charger, the same car can be charged in around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Another difference between the two types of chargers is the cost. A 22 kW charger is generally more expensive than a 7.4 kW charger.

Finally, 22 kW chargers require a more powerful electrical connection than 7.4 kW chargers. This may require you to upgrade your home electrical system.

In general, a 22 kW charger is the best option for anyone who wants to charge an electric car quickly and easily. However, a 7.4 kW charger is a more affordable option and may be sufficient for those who only need to charge their car occasionally.

In most cases, the answer is very small. For Level 2 home chargers, most of the maintenance you'll usually need is an occasional quick check for damage to the cables and plugs to make sure they're in good working order. With daily use, these chargers are designed to last for years before needing maintenance. If you have any problems with your charging station, we recommend that you contact us.

In the case of BeVolt, we provide a 2-year warranty for end customers and a 6-month warranty for business customers.

Switching to electric mobility is a significant decision that requires some changes in habits compared to a gasoline or diesel car. Charging an EV, in particular, is a completely different process compared to refueling an ICE car, but it can offer greater flexibility and adapt to your lifestyle.

Installation by BeVolt is provided by an accredited team of installers who, during the pre-installation technical visit, will monitor and indicate all the needs for a good installation.