provides an overview of the electric vehicles, an introduction to the different types of charging stations
• AC (Alternating Current): A charge of electricity that regularly changes direction. This is the most common type of power supplied to homes and businesses.
• DC (Direct Current): A charge of electricity that flows in one direction. This is the type of power supplied by a battery.
• EV (Electric Vehicle) or “Battery Electric Vehicle” (BEV): These vehicles are solely powered by the electricity stored in batteries – no fossil fuels are released during operation! These vehicles are highly efficient as the electric motors convert 85-90% of the energy into turning the wheels.
• GHG (Greenhouse Gas): Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere by absorbing and re-radiating the longwave thermal radiation emitted by the sun. This process, referred to as the greenhouse effect, causes the atmosphere’s temperature to increase, consequently increasing the temperature of the Earth. Common GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), water vapor (H2O), ozone (O3), and fluorinated gases.
• HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or “Hybrid”: Hybrids are powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Each power source can take turns powering the vehicle as needed leading to improved efficiency. The electric motor is powered by a small battery charged by both the engine and the regenerative braking system. Hybrid vehicle batteries cannot be plugged in and charged by the electricity grid.
• ICE (Internal Combustion Engine): A fossil fuel-powered engine that ignites hydrocarbon fuel to release energy. ICE vehicles are only about 25% efficient at utilizing the stored energy in the fuel to move the vehicle, meaning that roughly 75% of the energy is lost in the form of heat and noise.
• kW (Kilowatt): A unit of electric power.
• kWh (Kilowatt-hour): A unit of electric energy. The amount of electric energy stored in an EV battery is typically measured in kilowatt-hours.
• Level 1 Charging: Charging an EV using a common household outlet up to 120 volts. This is the slowest method of charging and can take up to 9-12 hours or more to fully charge an EV.
• Level 2 Charging: Charging your EV using an installed charging station at 240 volts. Level 2 charging stations are what most EV manufacturers recommend to EV owners when charging the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle and charger, Level 2 charging can fully charge an EV within 5-10 hours for BEVs, and 2-4 hours for PHEVs, which works great for overnight charging.
• Level 3 Charging: Also known as “DC fast charging” or “DCFC”,this is the fastest method of charging for all EVs as it uses more power and a higher voltage than Level 2. Level 3 charging can fully charge an EV battery in about 30 minutes or less. Level 3 charging currently only works with specific types of EVs and are uncommon considering that they’re more expensive and require more power than Level 2 charging. Level 3 charging helps charge EVs quickly during road trips that exceed an EV’s total range.
• PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle): PHEVs are like HEVs but have larger batteries that can be plugged in for recharging. Most PHEVs can function as a BEV for short commutes between 25-75 kilometers before the ICE turns on to provide additional range. Some PHEVs have a large enough battery to complete most trips on electricity only.
• Regenerative Braking: Regenerative braking is a method that slows a moving EV by capturing and storing kinetic energy as electrical energy. As a result, regenerative braking extends the EV driving range and reduces brake wear leading to less frequent and less costly maintenance repairs. In typical ICE vehicles, this energy is wasted in the form of friction and heat.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• Can EVs travel far distances?
EVs have enough battery life to meet the average distance daily Bangalore‘an commuter’s needs Newer BEVs can travel up to 400+ km on a single charge Driving range continues to improve on newer EV models, making “range anxiety”, a fear of the past. • How long do EV batteries last?
Typically, EV batteries will last longer than the life expectancy of the vehicle before needing to be replaced. A recent study on EV use in the United States found that the average battery cycling capacity loss over a 10-year timeframe was about 1% per year10 However, battery degradation is contingent upon several factors such as driving behavior and frequency of use, meaning that the timeframe for battery replacement can vary between users.
EV drivers can take the following actions to care for their battery and prevent premature battery degradation
• Limit the amount of vehicle use during very high ambient temperatures and avoid parking an EV in direct sun for long periods during hot summer days
• Limit the frequency of deep battery discharges where most of the battery capacity is drained
• Limit aggressive driving behaviors
• Only use Level 3 charging when necessary
• What kind of maintenance is required?
For a traditional ICE vehicle, maintenance is required on parts such as the brakes, electric motor, tires, brake fluid, and coolant levels. But with an EV, there is very little maintenance involved. This is because there are very few moving parts in an EV. There are no oil changes or spark plugs replacements needed. This low amount of maintenance means more financial savings with an EV, compared to an ICE vehicle.
• How does driving an EV in Bangalore reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Bangalore’s electricity is derived from a variety of sources including coal, natural gas, the solar, wind, and hydroelectric. Even with an electricity grid powered primarily by fossil fuels, switching to an EV is still less GHG intensive.
CHARGING
Types of charging connectors
There are several different charging connector types available depending on the level of charger required. Here is a short list of connector types for Level 2 or 3 charging stations.
Types of chargers
EVs require a charging station to replenish their batteries. Different EVs will require different types of charging stations and connector types. Depending on the type of charger, EVs can recharge their battery within a timeframe that meets the needs of the average driver. Here are the different types of charging stations currently available and most commonly used with passenger EVs:
Level 1 chargers
A Level 1 charger is a regular 220-volt household plug that utilizes an adapter to charge an electric vehicle. Most PHEVs can be recharged overnight using a Level 1 charger. However, this is the slowest type of charger and can take upwards of 9-12 hours (or 5-8km/hour) to fully charge a battery. In the absence of a Level 2 charger or for short daily commutes, this type of charger may be enough to replenish the battery. Level 1 chargers typically come with the purchase of a passenger EV.
Level 2 chargers
A Level 2 charger uses a 240-volt plug to quickly charge an EV. These charging stations can fully charge an EV in 5-10 hours (or 30-90km/hour). This style of charger utilizes a standard connector (CCS2 plug) adopted by Indian electric vehicle manufacturers for cross-compatibility. Public charging stations in Bangalore will typically use this common plug type and can they be installed for use at work and home. Level 2 charging stations plug into the same 240V outlet that a clothes dryer or oven would use and deliver more power than a Level1 charger, charging an EV battery much quicker. When using a charging station at home or at work, it is recommended that a Level 2 charging station is used in place of a Level 1 adapter to maximize the EV’s full potential.
Level 3 chargers
Level 3 chargers are the fastest charging option for EVs, making long-distance commutes easier. Using high voltages to charge the batteries, EVs can be topped up to 80% battery life in as little as half an hour (or 1,600km/hour). This type of charger utilizes the CHAdeMO and CCS2 Combo plugs. Unfortunately, not every EV is able to take advantage of the fast-charging Level 3 infrastructure because only some EVs are specifically designed to charge vehicles using these types of chargers.
Electric cars available in Bangalore, India
| year | Make | Model | Battery size (kwh) | Range (km) | Charger type | Charging time in DC fast charging | Cost~ |
| 2020 | Tata | Nexon EV | 30.2 | 300 | ccs2 | 120 min | 13-17L |
| 2020 | Hyundai | Kona Electric | 39.2 | 450 | ccs2 | 120 min | 25L |
| 2021 | MG | ZS EV | 44.5 | 340 | type 2 | 130 min | 21L |
| 2021 | Tata | Tigor EV | 21.2 | 213 | ccs2 | 120 min | 10L |
| 2021 | Jaguar | I-pace | 90 | 470 | type 2 | 150min | 120L |
| 2020 | Mercedes | EQC | 80 | 420 | type 2 | 150min | 120L |
| 2022 | Tesla | Model 3 | 82 | 657 | tesla | 60min | 70-90L |
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