When it comes to charging an EV, what do first time EV drivers need to know? This post is focused on what essential tools are needed for Australian delivered Audi etron, BMW, Porsche, MG, Nissan, Hyundai, Volvo and Polestar or Tesla first time EV drivers.
EV Charging is really easy, far easier than owning a fuel driven car. There’s no need to worry about if it’s diesel for petrol, what level of octane it takes or anything like that. All EV Drivers need to know is how to get the most out of the various EV Charging Stations across Australia.
EV Chargers for Australia, are a lot less complicated than found in North American or European market places. Every EV driver needs three essential tools for their easiest outcomes for charging. Let’s start with EV Chargers.
Firstly a Type 2 Portable Charger also known as a Portable EV Charger, which most EVs come standard with. Drivers don’t realise, they’ll need more than just one. The reason is you’ll need one to leave at home and another for emergencies on the road. It enables new generation EVs sold in Australia Portable Charging on standard 240V outlets found almost anywhere 25+ million we estimate.
Secondly a Type 2 Charging Cable or some call it Mennekes IEC 62196 (which won’t come standard with your EV). The Charge Cable enables EV drivers to charge on AC Type 2 Charging Stations that range from 7Kwh to 22Kwh charging speeds. A Type 2 Charge Cable is the most important tool for owning an EV and you’ll need it to charge at most charging locations.
Lastly a Type 1 to Type 2 Adapter, also known as SAE J1772 to IEC 62196. It’s a very underrated and very handy thing to have in you’re in bit of a charging pickle. The reason being is after your first few months owning an EV you’ll encounter your first “charging queue”. EV drivers have to wait for someone else to finish charging their EV, before being able to charge. In this situation, you have no choice but to just wait sometimes hrs or risk it and drive on to the next Charging Station (if you make it). However…. There’s such a thing as a Type 1 Charging Station, which are basically left alone or abandoned in carparks next to busy Type 2 Charging Stations. Type 1 Charging Stations were the old EV Charging Socket type, but have since being phased out in new EVs sold in Australia. However the are plenty of these old stations left unused. Hence the Type 1 to Type 2 Adapter. Which quite literally lets you JUMP THE QUEUE and use the older and vacant Type 1 Charging Station!
Charging Stations come in various forms and names depending on the country/region you’re in and your desired speed of charge. EV Charging Stations are also known as an EV Chargers, Type 1 or Type 2 Charging Stations, SAE J1772 or IEC 62196-2, Fast Chargers, Super Chargers and finally Rapid Chargers.
Disclaimer: JUCER does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data and accepts no liability whatsoever arising from or connected in any way to the use or reliance upon this data. Special thanks to J Dean for the featured image.
