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PCO Drivers’ Guidance for Charging Electric Vehicles

Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are relatively new in the market. The fact that they require electricity to charge means that new infrastructures must be put in place. Consequently, during the past few years, EV charging stations have been diligently being established across the UK by electric vehicle manufacturers. So, if you drive an electric PCO car or are just interested about EVs, this site will address all of your concerns. For PCO drivers, the full electric car charging instructions is given below.

EV Charger Types for PCO Drivers

An electric PCO car’s charging process is different from a diesel or gasoline vehicle’s fueling procedure. The type of EV charger, combined with its design, connector, and plug of your electric PCO vehicle, determine the charging station that you can use. Despite the fact that initially this could appear difficult. It all becomes second nature to a PCO driver with time and experience. We’ve created a list of the accessible EV chargers, along with each one’s benefits and drawbacks, to assist you:

1- Ultra-Fast Chargers

Ultra-Fast Chargers have just recently entered the market for EV chargers. Therefore, they might not be appropriate for all kinds of electric PCO cars, especially if you drive an older model. For PCO drivers who drive the Tesla Model 3 or the Volkswagen ID.3, however, Ultra Rapid EV Chargers are a useful solution because they now make it possible for them to charge their electric PCO vehicle in just 20 minutes. It is compatible with charging cables CCS and CHAdeMO and has a power range of 150kW to 350kW.

Ultra-Fast EV chargers are used by Shell Recharge and BP Charge master, respectively. A PCO driver will pay 40p per kWh to use an Ultra-Fast Charger.

Pros:

  1. It perfectly satisfies a PCO driver’s daily work routine.
  2. One of the fastest charging methods for electric PCO cars is the use of ultra-Fast chargers.

Cons:

  1. Ultra-Rapid Chargers aren’t readily available in London, despite their increasing demand.
  2. These cost more than both slow and rapid chargers.
  3. Presently, they are only compatible with specific electric PCO vehicles, such as the Volkswagen ID.
  4. However, well-known vehicles like the Kia e-Niro cannot use an Ultra-Rapid Charger.

2- Fast Chargers

Looking for the fastest EV charger available? The best and most efficient solution to all of your electric PCO vehicle requirements is the rapid charger. Rapid Chargers have become very popular in London and are accessible to PCO drivers worldwide due to their quick charging times.

Rapid Chargers have a 50kW capacity. Rapid EV Chargers are the ideal option for your daily demands because they can recharge your car in 30 to 45 minutes regardless of the electric PCO car model you have. For Type 2, CCS, and CHAdeMO, rapid chargers are acceptable. These charging stations are provided by Shell Recharge and BP Chargemaster, two different companies. You will be required to pay 40p per kWh in order to use a rapid charger.

Pros:

1. Rapid chargers are among the fastest charging options available to PCO drivers.

2. You are able to use these charging stations both during breaks and while at work.

3. There are already more than 600 Rapid Charge stations in London.

Cons:

1. According to some reports, rapid chargers have the potential to accelerate the deterioration of the batteries in your electric PCO vehicle if they are used regularly.

2. It is a more expensive choice.

3. Despite its popularity, there aren’t enough Rapid Chargers available to meet the demand. Moreover, switching EV Charger providers could have a cost its own.

3-Fast Chargers

Fast Chargers for your electric PCO car are conveniently located close to supermarkets, local communities, and other authorised parking areas. Your electric vehicle may be recharged in 3 to 8 hours using their 7kW to 22kW capacity.

Type 1 and Type 2 charging cables are all compatible with fast EV chargers. GeniePoint and Source London both utilise them. The cost of using a fast charger is 39P per kWh. Keep in mind that the charging speed can change based on the model of your electric PCO vehicle.

Pros:

1. If you can find a charging station close to your place of business or residence, a fast charger can function well during break after driving an electric PCO car.

2. You can recharge your electric PCO vehicle when you go shopping because it can take almost an hour.

Cons:

1. Because Fast Chargers are frequently located in public parking lots, you could be charged more for parking if you stay longer than expected. GeniePoint, for instance, levies an overstay cost of £10.

2. For PCO drivers who don’t want to spend a lot of time off-road, fast chargers aren’t the best option.

4- Slow Charges

Slow chargers, also known as “trickle chargers,” are typically connected to public charging stations as lamp chargers or home chargers. A slow charger will take longer than other kinds of EV chargers to complete a single charge cycle—up to 6 to 12 hours. Therefore, whether you have one nearby or placed at your home, they make the perfect charging station.

Chargers with Type 1, Type 2, Commando, and 3 pin connectors can be used with slow chargers. The Slow EV chargers are available at charging stations that are operated by Source London and Ubitricity. You will also be charged between 19P and 24P per kWh for using a public slow charger.

Pros:

1. Slow chargers are more affordable.

2. They are ideal for PCO drivers who want to charge their electric PCO cars overnight.

Cons:

1. A slow charger could take up most of your time. As a result, it isn’t referred as a solution for between-work recharging for PCO drivers.

2. There’s a chance the associate parking spot won’t always be open. Therefore, if you exclusively use sluggish chargers, you might not be able to develop a sustainable charging strategy.

How Long Will It Take Your Electric PCO Car to Charge?

As a general guideline, divide the vehicle’s battery capacity by the KW speed of the EV charger to determine how long it takes to recharge your electric PCO vehicle.

For example, the renowned Kia e-Niro has a 64kWh battery. As a result, the formula indicates that it will take 64 kWh/7 kWh = 9.14 hours to reach a full charge when using a 7 kW fast charger.

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