Electric vehicles (EVs) have revolutionized transportation, with their low emissions and high efficiency characteristics. Although their popularity is increasing with the ongoing global shift towards clean energy, recharging the batteries of these vehicles remains an issue. However, thanks to the emergence of electric car charging stations and electric car charging piles, this dilemma is becoming less problematic. But what are the differences between the two?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at electric car charging stations and charging piles, comparing and contrasting their features, functionalities, and benefits.
What are Electric Car Charging Stations?
As the name suggests, electric car charging stations refer to centralized locations designated for recharging the batteries of electric cars. Typically, charging stations feature one or more ‘ports’ where drivers can plug in their vehicles to recharge the batteries. These charging stations are located in public or semi-public spaces like parking lots, shopping malls, office blocks or roadside junctions. By, public and private institutions extending their charging stations within their premises are growing with an increasing number of EV owners.
Furthermore, electric car charging stations usually come in two forms, slow and fast charging. Slow charging stations usually take 6 to 8 hours to recharge the battery completely, whereas fast charging stations can do that in as little as 30 minutes. These charging stations require direct current (DC) to recharge electric vehicles, and they usually have a power output rating of between 50 and 150 kilowatts.
What are Electric Car Charging Piles?
Electric car charging piles are specifically designed to recharge electric cars conveniently at home. These charging piles are stand-alone devices designed to generally charge technology has become increasingly popular in the modern world because they make it easier for drivers to recharge their electric vehicle batteries regularly. Even though charging piles generate power from the electricity home supply, it is not the same as using a basic charging point. With features like Overvoltage protection, the charging piles can function safely and accurately, hence they are more reliable and convenient.
Unlike electric car charging stations, EV charging piles used Discrete power electronics to generate power to charge electric vehicles.
Therefore, charging with electric car charging stations and charging piles are relatively different.
Cost Comparison Between Electric Car Charging Stations and Charging Piles
The cost of buying either an electric car charging station or an electric car charging pile depends largely on the power output levels, the quality, functionality, and the features of the device. On average, the cost of an electric car charging station ranges from $500 to $5,000 or higher, depending on whether it’s a fast or slow-charging station and the manufacturers.
In Canada, for example, an outdoor electric car charging station with a power output rating of 50 kW could cost $18,000. On the other hand, an electric car charging pile designed for home use would cost anywhere between $700 and $1,000.
Convenient
The convenience factor is a critical point to consider when choosing between charging stations and charging piles. With the charging station, EV owners are required to travel to these charging facilities or nearby places to recharge the batteries, resulting in reduced convenience for drivers, time and money to travel to these remote charging stations for the quick recharge.
On the other hand, charging piles offer a lot more convenience by allowing EV owners to charge their vehicles from the comfort of their own homes. This greatly eliminates the need to travel to public charging stations, reduces waiting times, and saves time and money that could have been spent on fueling an internal combustion vehicle.
Maintenance
Electric car charging stations require regular maintenance since they are installed in public places prone to vandalism or accidents. As a result, there’s a need for regular charging station troubleshooting, which includes driveway cleaning, and the replacement of worn-out parts. As a result, maintenance bills could rack up to on the high side.
Electric car charging piles, on the other hand, are designed for domestic use, usually within private residences, which makes them less prone to vandalism or accidents, and they require minimal maintenance.
Conclusion
Choosing between electric car charging stations and electric car charging piles comes down to personal preference, conveniences, location and, most importantly, budget. The fast charging technology offered by charging stations makes it a great option for time-conscious people, while the convenience and accessibility of electric car charging piles make them an ideal option for drivers who want to charge their vehicles from home. Ultimately, both options provide excellent environmentally-friendly solutions to traditional fuels, and the evolution of EV technology will continue to create new and improved options for car owners around the world.
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