Any driver has stopped to fill up at a gas station or gas station on countless occasions. and the drivers of plug-in vehicles (hybrid or electric), where are they going to load the vehicles to continue their journey? The answer to this question is twofold: you either do it using a charger in a parking lot or at home, or you go to electric charging stations.
Thus,what is an electric vehicle charging station? It is, simply explained, a facility where there are charging points for plug-in cars where these cars are charged with electricity. In the process, alternating current is converted into direct currentwhich allows the batteries to work well.
These installations can only be for this type of machine (called electrolinear) or share space at gas stations for a lifetime. One way or another, there are points located in various public or private places enabled for the correct operation and \»powering\» of plug-in cars.
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So as solar energy experts and suppliers of charging solutionsStarting from this premise, in this article we will explain:
- How electric charging stations work
- where they are located on Spanish territory
- And also him operation of charging points what is in them
How do electric charging stations work?
The most important thing to know about electric charging stations is how they work. Specifically, recharge points, so the following will explain the time it takes to charge an electric car depending on the type of recharge. And then, in the final part, the types of charging points currently existing in Spain will be explained.
I started by mentioning that charging an electric or hybrid car is very simple, as is refueling a car with a conventional combustion engine. All you have to do is remove the cable from the car and connect the vehicle to the charging point, then wait for it to fully charge or until you want it to.
Of course, it is important to know what types of connectors and the maximum power in kW our electric or plug-in car has, as well as the type of charger at the station. Because depending on how I am, we may or may not go to some points or others. And as we will see, the more power they have, the more professional the station and point installation will be.
Slow or conventional charging: Level 1 charging stations
In general, we can talk about four speeds when recharging an electric car, so you have to choose each according to your driving needs. Will we use the car right away or can we wait longer until the next trip?
In the latter case, one option is to charge the car in a slow or conventional recharge point, with a duration of more than 5 hours. Although they are the slowest of all, the reality is that in Spain they are currently the most widespread in the more than 11,500 charging points that are spread throughout the national geography.
These times correspond level 1 charging stations. Its usefulness is, above all, to charge the car near the place of work or studies of the owner of the electric vehicle. Or that it\’s by the house to charge the car overnight.
Semi-fast charging: Level 2 charging stations
If you as a driver are in a hurry, another option is to choose a stop at a semi-fast charging point, which takes about two hours to fully charge the vehicle. This option allows a maximum power of 22 kW.
This time depends, of course, on several factors, including the type of battery the car has and also the power we use to recharge it. The level 2 charging stations that these times allow drivers to provide a range of action up to 100 km And it requires professional installation, not a standard electrical outlet.
Fast charging
Third, for those who have less time available to wait, a fast charging pointwith a duration of about 40 minutes to have the electric or hybrid car fully charged at a power of 50 kW.
In other words, if we go to a charging station located, for example, in a parking lot, we will not have to pay for a second hour of parking.
Ultra-fast recharging: DC fast chargers
Finally, if we recharge the vehicle at an ultra-fast charging point, we will only have to wait around 15 minutes, much less at maximum power, which in this type available at charging stations reaches 150 kW.
These points have been activated DC fast chargers and allow a autonomy of approximately 130 km or 160 km far away. Due to the power, a highly specialized professional electrical installation is necessary, not a current or domestic one.
Where are the electric car charging stations?
In Spain, as in the rest of the countries where charging stations are more or less widespread, there are several types of charging points for electric cars. Some of them are domestic and for private use, while others are available in public places.
Now, where are the electric car charging stations in our country? Among other places, in supermarkets, shopping malls, DEALERS y car workshopsin the public road (to a lesser extent), in gas station and in parking places. Let\’s explain these last two places in a little more detail.
Gas station
There are gas stations that have charging points for electric cars as well as classic pumps. In fact, there are companies that have their own custom charging points.
If we talk specifically about a 100% electric charging station, we mean an electric station. And going a step further in the use of renewable energy and sustainable mobility, a power station powered by solar photovoltaic energy is a photo line.
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Parking or parking lots
There are also electric charging stations in parking lots or parking lots. In fact, from January 1, 2023, the current regulations in force in company parking lots are changing, obliging charging points to be expanded depending on the spaces in public parking lots or in the parking lots of supply and fuel companies.
In this second concrete case, Royal Decree 29/2021, of December 21, stipulates that those with a sales volume of more than 10 million liters in 2019 must install an infrastructure with a power equal to or greater than 150 kW. That is, having ultra-fast charging points.
And if the company has a sales volume of 5 to 10 million liters in 2019, the minimum power available will be 50 kW. Which means it will serve as a fast charging station.
