living with an electric car
Living with an Electric Car, three videos presented by Robert Llewellyn, attempt to answer your questions about electric vehicles. The clips explore how electric vehicles could fit into your lifestyle, and what are they are like to drive and use every day. These are now old videos but the content and message is still valid. Sept 2011
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Vehicle Charging
For most electric cars, It is expected that most charging will be performed at home, during (off-peak) night time hours when electricity is cheapest and carbon intensity is lowest. Although a standard single-phase 13 amp three-pin domestic socket is adequate to charge a car in 6-8 hours, it is advised is that a qualified electrician conducts a survey to ensure that the wiring will safety support the relatively long periods of charging.
'Fast' charging at 32 amps using single- and three-phase supply is also possible for some electric vehicles, which reduces charging times to 3-4 hours for a standard EV. Faster still are 'rapid' chargers which use direct current (DC) – although these can only be used on some models. |
Three types of charging point are currently used in the UK:
'Slow' points use a standard 3kW (13A) supply (6-8 hours for full charge); 'Fast' points use single or three-phase 7-22kW (16-32A) supply (3-4 hours); and 'Rapid' points provide 40kW+ AC or 50kW+ DC supply (80% charge in 30 mins). |
A limited network of High Power Chargers, known as HPC chargers, has been installed by Tesla. These use the SAE J1772 plug connection at both ends of the charger cable and supply a 70 Amp single-phase current with power at 16.8 kW.
An interactive map of public charging points in Scotland is available to use on the 'Greener Scotland' website. Use their interactive map to find free public charge points for your electric vehicle across Scotland. New locations are being added all the time, with a focus on providing charging facilities where you need them most. Their map is regularly updated as new facilities pop up in car parks, retail parks and at leisure facilities. Simply enter your postcode to find the charge point nearest you.