EV Charging

As more and more consumers switch on electric vehicles as their next potential mode of transport, we’re finding feedback around the driving experience is almost resoundingly positive. People love the responsiveness and the vastly reduced noise, vibration and harshness you get from an electric motor over an internal combustion vehicle.

Fears around the overall practicality and even range are very quickly subsiding as buyers are becoming more educated. In fact, one area we typically have to spend more time on with customers is less about the vehicle and more so around how it interfaces with the electrical grid.

There are a few variables around EV charging that, to those new to the world of electrified vehicles, could be overwhelming, especially as various industry or regional (Japan or Europe) protocols and even some proprietary technology evolved.

Thankfully though, there’s some positive industry consolidation occurring and most public chargers around New Zealand are compatible with multiple legacy connection types as well as more contemporary fast charging style connectors.

So, charging is actually not as confusing as you might think and there’s two key pillars in which you can break charging technology down.

Those pillars are:

A)?????Current. The type of electrical current a vehicle charger uses to charge your vehicle.

B)?????Connection type: The physical shape and pin configuration for your vehicle.

Let start with Current. And, depending on the type of charger you’re using and the source of power you’re using to charge from, you’ll either be utilising Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC). AC the common single phase current used by most residential homes. Typically AC is used by slower, low amperage chargers like those compatible with a standard 3 pin plug, or older technology vehicles. You can use a standard 3 pin plug as a power source to trickle charge an EV, but it takes a long time to charge.

To increase charging speed on an AC power source, you’ll need to have a wall-mounted charger installed and this is generally done on a standalone, higher amperage circuit. It’s a simple procedure for a qualified electrician and this allow you to charge 3-4 faster using AC Household Charging.

The great thing about home charging is using an intelligent/smart charger – or in some instances the car can control this for you. Smart charging allows you to only charge off peak, when electricity is at its cheapest, ie: the middle of the night. The Smart charger can ensure you’re optimising your energy costs and also provide reporting on the electricity used and costs day to day to charge your car.

AC Public Charging is also available.

By in large AC charging is fine for maintaining a charge from home over night and ensuring you’re topped up for the day ahead. For those long haul runs or if you’re caught short, the best solution is to use a public DC fast charging station.

For “fast charging” we’re really referring to more commercial grade, three phase DC Charging. DC is definitely the fastest way to charge your EV and with modern, compatible vehicle. Public DC Fast charging stations supply power from 50kW and above and with this method you can top up your battery from 20 to 80% in approx. 40 minutes, but that too is improving very rapidly. Take Audi’s eTron GT or the Porsche Taycan for instance, both capable of ultra-fast 350kW charging and this is supported with select public chargers in New Zealand. This technology means you can charge up to 80% full in just 20 minutes.

While there are a few free public chargers in all main centres, you’ll need to set up an account for paying for public charging. This is painless and can be done very quickly. Upon setting up an account and linking this to a payment method, you receive an RFID tag linked to your account. This keyring-sized tag can be swiped to unlock a public charger and top up your car.

Energy costs at public charger vary, but it’s far less than fuel. It’s about the same as paying 30 cents for a litre of fuel.

And that brings us to Connection Types. This can be a little confusing, but it doesn’t need to be. In essence, it merely refers to the shape and configuration of the connector your vehicle uses. You just need to keep this in mind when selecting the right type of cable at a public charger. Consider it the same as selecting 91, 95 or Diesel at a fuel pump. But don’t panic, you can’t mate the wrong connector to your car by accident.

The various connector styles are really born from regional standards developed either for Japan, or Europe…or, because someone has to be different.

The charging ports common in New Zealand are:

TYPE 1 AC

The standard connector for AC charging. It has origins in the US but is also a standard connector in use in Japan.

EV models with Type 1 inlets in New Zealand include:

·??????Nissan Leaf & eNV200 (including imports)

·??????Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV & iMiev

·??????Nissan e-NV 200

·??????Kia Soul EV

·??????Toyota Prius Plugin (not Prime)

·??????Audi A3 e-tron

TYPE TWO OR MENNEKES

Type two is considered the Australian and New Zealand Standard and is found on most New Zealand charge stations.?It is commonly used on:

·??????BMW, Audi, VW eGolf and Mercedes

·??????Hyundai Ioniq, Kona

·??????Jaguar i-Pace

·??????Tesla cars imported from UK or Australia

·??????Toyota Prius Prime

Type 2 can be a straight AC connector or a Type 2 + DC type plug also known as CSS combo. This features two larger pins below for DC charging, but you can still plug a type 2 in to the top of the charge socket to charge at home.

Currently fast charging stations in New Zealand are transitionally from CCS Type 1 to CCS Type 2 connectors.

CHAdeMo DC

This connector is used for DC charging in Japan and is the DC inlet supplier with most imported Japanese vehicles.

Models with CHAdeMO inlets in New Zealand include:

·??????Nissan Leaf (including imports)

·??????Nissan e-NV200

·??????2017 Mitsubishi Outlander

Regardless of charging or connection type, you can rest assured that the connectors are typically made from an extremely resilient nylon/plastic polymer that protects the user from shock and there are multiple fail safe systems built into both the car and the charging devices themselves.

Make the switch to a greener future and find our electric range here.