What is the charging power of an electric vehicle?
2 Answers
It depends on the capacity of the car battery. Generally, small and medium-sized electric vehicles can hold 18 kWh when fully charged. If it takes 6 hours to fully charge, the charging power is 3 kW. Power voltage: When the power line is unloaded or lightly loaded, the voltage will be higher than the power supply voltage. This can be solved by using a parallel reactor for inductive reactive power compensation, which absorbs charging power and partially or fully compensates for line capacitance, thereby reducing voltage. Installing the reactor at the end yields the best results. Charging precautions: For a new car, it is recommended to fully deplete the battery before the first charge, and then charge it for up to 12 hours to enhance battery performance. For regular charging, the duration should not be too long, ideally around 7 hours, to avoid damaging the battery. Overcharging may cause the battery to swell. If this occurs, it is advised to stop using the vehicle to prevent potential issues like battery explosion.
As an average electric vehicle user, I find charging power quite nuanced. When using the most common household wall socket, the power output is typically around 1.4 to 1.9 kW, taking over 10 hours or even a full day to charge completely—ideal for overnight charging. However, with a dedicated wallbox charger, the power can jump to about 7.2 kW, allowing my car to reach full charge in roughly 4 to 6 hours, which saves significant time. Public charging stations are even faster, especially DC fast chargers, which range from 50 to 350 kW; I once tried a 150 kW fast charger and reached 80% in just half an hour, making it extremely convenient for long trips. That said, it also depends on the car's compatibility—my vehicle can only handle up to 100 kW, as higher power could damage the battery. Charging efficiency also drops slightly in cold weather, so it's best to charge on warmer winter days. Overall, higher power means faster charging, but matching your car's specifications ensures safety and efficiency.