A simple guide to charging your electric vehicle

How EV chargers work

In short, EV batteries are built for everyday life and use.

Just like the battery in your smartphone, an EV battery stores power as direct current (DC), even though most power that comes from the electricity grid is alternate current (AC). EVs have their own in-built converter (sometimes referred to as the onboard charger) that changes the AC current to DC when it’s plugged in.

What it’s like to charge an EV

We have become accustomed to charging a range of battery-powered devices in our lives today that we didn’t have five, 10 or 20 years ago. We know what chargers to use, which are best for our devices, and how readily available they are.  

So, like with other new devices and technologies that quickly became part of our lives and routines, charging an EV is straightforward, but there are a range of factors that can impact the process and its efficiency.  

The charging process will vary based on the EV, the EV charger, and the cable connecting to the charger. If you’re using a public charger, the experience will vary based on if it is free or is offered on pay-as-you-go pricing, or subscription-based pricing. By far the most common place of charging for EV owners will be where they live. 

At home, the typical process of charging an EV may look like this: once you park your car, you press the car’s charging port release button. You step out and grab the cable from your charging station that is installed in your garage or car space, which is a few feet away, and plug it into the EV charging port. There may be times when you will need to charge by plugging in your EV to a regular wall outlet - this still replenishes your EV battery but will take longer.  

If you want to keep an eye on its progress, most EV manufacturers will also offer smartphone apps that will let you monitor, and control charging and this may also include the flexibility to set the charge time to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates. You will also typically get notifications when charging is complete.  

Types of charging explained and compared

When you research and purchase an EV, you may come across some technical information covering the finer details of charging options. We have broken that down to ensure you’re across what some of the important details are, what they mean for you, and how they compare with each other.

You’ll notice two sets of terms below which are commonly used in relation to EV charging. Here’s what they are and what they mean:

1. Level One, Two and Three charging: This is how different types of charging are referred to in the EV industry – you can think of them as three different options for charging your EV which include standard wall sockets, installed ‘wall boxes’ and fast-charging stations.  

2. Phase One and Phase Three power: These refer to types of power, with Phase One being standard in most homes, and Phase Three being more common in commercial-style buildings. Phase Three is an option for the home though, and one that can be installed to support faster EV charging.

Installing an EV charger at home

Choosing a specialist and a professional to install an EV charger is a must, just as it would be for other installations and permanent fixtures in your home.  

Level Two chargers should only be installed by a licensed and certified electrician. They should have specialist knowledge in Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE); have experience in Level Two charger installations and ideally will be accredited by the hardware supplier, or installation service provider. All installations should be conducted according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, and the applicable state or territory regulations. 

Prior to installing, the electrician will carry out a site assessment to determine if any changes are needed to the circuits at your house, and if any additional safety devices also need to be installed.