Choosing the right charger for an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid may seem complicated, but following a few key steps ensures fast and safe charging. In this article, we explain the most important aspects to consider.
1. Check the Type of Connector in Your Vehicle
The first step is identifying the type of charging connector in your vehicle. The most common standards are
Type 1 - Popular primarily in Asian and American markets.
Type 2 – The European standard, found in most modern electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids sold in Europe
Identifying the connector type helps determine which plug will be compatible with your vehicle and charger.
2. Define Your Charging Needs
The choice of charger depends on how quickly you want to charge your vehicle. Here are the key questions to ask yourself:
Do you need a charging speed of 3.7 kW? This power level allows you to use a typical 230V wall socket (domestic charging).
Do you require faster charging (up to 22 kW in home settings)? In this case, it is necessary to check additional specifications.
Phase Compatibility: Check if your vehicle supports single-phase (1-phase) or three-phase (3-phase) charging (It is also possible to have 2-phase onboard charger espiecially in Audi and Volvo cars). Single-phase vehicles will not fully utilize the potential of three-phase chargers.
1-phase socket
2-phase socket
3-phase socket
Charging speed depends not only on the external charger but also on the specifications of the onboard charger in the vehicle.
3. Understand Onboard Charger Specifications
The onboard charger is a built-in device in the vehicle that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) required to charge the battery. Key parameters to check include:
Onboard Charger Power (expressed in kilowatts, kW): This indicates the maximum power the vehicle can draw from an external AC charger. For example, if the onboard charger supports a maximum of 7.4 kW, connecting it to a charger with higher power (e.g., 11 kW) will not speed up the charging process.
You can check that in that data base - https://ev-database.org/
4. Evaluate Your Home or Workplace Electrical Installation
Before purchasing a charger, ensure your electrical installation meets technical requirements. Key considerations include:
Available Power Socket: Do you have a 16A (standard power) or 32A (high power) socket? Higher current allows for faster charging.
Connection Capacity: Verify that your installation can handle the required power without overload.
Safety and Wiring: Ensure the installation has appropriate circuit breakers and cables for safe charging.
5. Examples
a)
Vehicle: Tesla Model 3 2024 (Type 2)
Available Power Socket: 32A socket (high power)
Charger Goal: Achieving the maximum possible charging speed.
The Tesla Model 3 2024 has an onboard charger that can handle a maximum charging speed of 11 kW AC. Based on the graphic above, I can also determine that this Tesla supports three-phase charging because each hole in the connector is fitted with a pin.
Using this information, I can select a three-phase charger capable of delivering up to 11 kW (three phases at 16A each). Even though my installation can support up to 22 kW, I opt for an 11 kW charger to avoid paying for unused capacity.
After this analysis, I am ready to choose the ideal charger. Click here to view it.
b)
Vehicle: Renault ZOE 2021
Available Power Socket: 16A socket (standard power)
Charger Goal: Achieving the maximum possible charging speed.
The Renault ZOE 2021 has an onboard charger capable of reaching 22 kW. Based on the graphic above, I can also confirm that the vehicle supports three-phase charging.
Using this information, I determine that I need a three-phase charger capable of delivering up to 22 kW (three phases at 32A each). However, my power socket is rated at 16A, meaning the maximum speed I can achieve is 11 kW. Upgrading to a 32A socket would enable 22 kW charging.
After this analysis, I am ready to choose the ideal charger. Click here to view it.
