How does an electric vehicle charging station work?
Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity, but many new owners have one crucial question: how does a charging station actually work? Here's a simple, straightforward explanation.
1. What is a charging station?
A charging station is a device that transfers electricity to your electric car. It connects to your home's electrical panel and converts household power (240V) into a safe and controlled charge.
2. Types of charging stations
There are two main types:
- Level 1 (120V) : Plugs into a regular wall outlet. Very slow (up to 20 hours for a full charge).
- Level 2 (240V) : faster and more efficient, like the KENI charging station , ideal for recharging your EV in a few hours.
3. The recharging process
Here are the typical steps of operation:
- You connect the terminal to the vehicle via the connector (SAE J1772 standard).
- The terminal communicates with the vehicle to verify that it is ready to receive the charge.
- Once validated, the energy begins to flow.
- Charging stops automatically when the battery is full or if you unplug it.
4. What is a “smart” terminal?
Terminals like KENI Recharge offer advanced features:
- Wi-Fi and mobile app control
- RFID card start
- Automatic power adjustment
- Plug-and-Charge: plug in, it starts
5. Is it safe?
Yes. Modern terminals are equipped with protections:
- Against overvoltages, overheating, short circuits
- Weatherproof enclosures (NEMA 4 certified)
- Robust cables and secure connectors
6. How quickly will I charge my vehicle?
It depends:
- The power of the terminal (e.g.: 48A = fast charging)
- From the vehicle's battery capacity
- From the current charge level
With a terminal like KENI Recharge , a full charge can take between 4 and 8 hours depending on the vehicle.
Conclusion
A charging station is a simple but essential tool for EV owners. With a good model, like KENI Recharge , you benefit from speed, security, and peace of mind with every charge.