Top 20 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Companies
May 1, 2019 by Sam Francis
Electric cars lost their image of being flimsy, slow and perhaps slightly embarrassing a long time ago.
The publics priorities have changed. A lot of people, especially the younger generations, consider looking after the environment more important than roaring down the freeway in a fantastic muscle car.
The second option sounds good though.
But even there, newer electric cars have a turn of speed that would leave many muscle cars flapping in their exhaust fumes if they emitted any.
And while the radical tree-hugging types among us might have relished the prospect of seeing fossil fuel companies suffer an erosion of their mountains of money and oodles of power, diminished by the clean energy sector, it looks like theyre going to be disappointed.
Oil and gas companies are apparently adopting the well-known business motto, If you cant beat em, join em, and look set to integrate electric charging points at fuel stations as standard it seems only a matter of time.
Meanwhile, all the top automakers have been developing electric cars and, unlike in the past, taking them much more seriously because, whereas in the past, the huge question of infrastructure remained unanswered, now, the political, social and technological environment is such that there is already a large number of charging stations all across the US and in many other countries in the world.
So, a gigantic market in the making, whichever way you look at it.
1. ChargePoint
2. ABB
How Much Does It Cost To Charge In Public Charge Points
Cost of charging at Public Charging points includes multiple components like -Energy Charges – This is cost of input electricityService Charges – This is to compensate for cost of providing EV charging services which includes investment in chargers, software infrastructure, power infrastructure, maintenance, facility charges etc.
Electric Car Charging Station Location Apps
First things first: Download a charging station location app to your smartphone. Every EVs built-in navigation system can point you toward charging stations. But that is only half the battle. You will want the latest information, and many apps can tell you if the plugs are in use and if there is some fault with the station. This can save you tons of frustration.
Individual charging networks have their own apps. However, a widely used app is PlugShare, which relies on users to supply current information about charging stations. Youll find out about any recent changes and developments. For instance, is the EV charger in a parking lot now under construction, or are those chargers temporarily off-limits or charging slower than usual?
PlugShare works with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay so that you can pull it up from most late-model EV touchscreens.
A good backup to download and utilize is ChargePoint. Sometimes it is easy to compare the two, and many users report that ChargePoint is more user-friendly than other apps.
Using the apps from charging station providers such as EVgo, Electrify America, and ChargePoint streamlines payment and allows for monitoring of your vehicles charging status.
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How Do Electric Cars Charge
The same principle goes for electric cars. The difference between AC and DC charging all depends on whether there is a conversion process or not. No matter how you charge it though, at the end of the day, the battery in the car is always charged with DC.
With a DC charger, the direct current can flow into the battery directly, while with an AC charger, the electricity has to be converted to DC first. This process will always take more time as the onboard charger can only take so much electricity at a time.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The companyâs Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 182,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit is available at corporate.ford.com.
CO2 Emission
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Ev Charging Connector Types Explained
Many of the sections above have answered questions that you may or may not have had before purchasing your new EV. However, we can take a guess that you probably havent even thought about charging cables and plugs. While this is not the sexiest topicunless you’re an engineerthe world of EV cables and plugs is as diverse as it is complex.
Due to the infancy of electric vehicles, theres no universal standard for charging. As a result, just like Apple has one charging cord and Samsung has another, many different EV manufacturers use different charging technology. To get a detailed overview of a specific model, our electric car specifications page shows the type of plug types and other specifications per car.
Price Of Ev Charging Stations
At about $500 for the cheapest model, charging stations do not have to break the bank, but models with Wi-Fi or other additional features can increase the cost to almost $800. You will also want to factor in the cost of installation. Depending on the requirements for your installation and going rate for electricians in your area, installation can vary from a few hundred dollars to as much as $1000.
Luckily, powering up with a charging station is cheaper than buying traditional fuel. In fact, you can save several hundred dollars a year driving an EV. Over time you will be able to make up the cost of the charging station, especially if you combine your EV with rooftop solar.
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What Affects Charging Speeds
Electric car battery
The bigger the battery, the longer it will take to charge. Simple, right? The state of charge of an EV’s battery is measured in kilowatt-hours , which is similar to a liter or a gallon but for electricity, and each kWh equals the amount of energy you would use to run a 1,000-watt appliance for an hour. The vast majority of electric passenger vehicle batteries today can hold somewhere between 25 and 100 kWh when fully charged.
Charging capacity of the vehicle
The power output which a vehicle accepts differs from vehicle to vehicle and can even vary depending on the model of the car. Measured in kW, the charging capacity is shown for both AC charging and DC charging and each plays a large factor in how long it takes to charge. For instance, if two vehicles with similar size batteries are charging side by side at a high-power DC charging station, but one can only accept 50 kW of DC power and the other 250 kW, then the latter will charge much faster than the former.
Charging output of the charging station
The different output of the charging station plays a large factor in how long it takes to charge an EV. The higher the kW output on a charging station, the faster it will charge .
State of charge
The DC charging curve
Weather conditions
Another factor that will determine charging times is the weather. As batteries operate more efficiently in warm weathersay between 2025°C it will take longer to charge a vehicle in colder or extremely warm weather.
Which Levels Of Charging Are Available For Public Charging
There are 3 standard charging levels used to charge electric cars. All electric cars can be charged with level 1 and level 2 stations. These types of chargers offer the same charging power as the ones you can install at home. Level 3 chargers – also called DCFC or fast charging stations – are much more powerful than level 1 and 2 stations, meaning you can charge an EV much faster with them. that being said, some vehicles cannot charge at level 3 chargers. Knowing your vehicleâs capabilities is therefore very important.
Charging Level Summary
Level: 2
Compatibility: 100% of electric cars, Charger is required
Before driving to a charging station, it is important to know if your vehicle is compatible with the connectors available. This is especially important for non-Tesla DCFC stations. Some may have just a CHAdeMO connector, others just an SAE Combo CCS connector, and others will have both. Also, some vehicles, like the Chevrolet Volt – a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, is not compatible for Level 3 stations. Make sure you know your vehicle compatibilities before planning a trip. With our charging map, you will be able to apply the right filters to only show chargers compatible with your electric car.
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How To Find The Best Ev Charging Station
Charging an electric car is more convenient than ever, but its important to have a plan to charge your EV before you buy one. Thats because different automakers may offer incentives for installing a home charging station or joining a charging network.
Here are a few things to help you choose the best EV charging station for you.
More Cost Savings A Superior Performance And A Smaller Carbon Footprint
For one, electric vehicles offer a superior driving experience instant torque and smooth handling . And lets be honest, the convenience to charge wherever you park is one you can get used to faster than your average charging session. Next to this, EVs require a lot less maintenance than conventional ICE vehicles.
There are many unanswered questions that new EV drivers have about EV charging.
For those who are considering buying their first electric vehicle, or those who just bought one, driving an EVor more specifically charging oneis a completely new experience.
On this page, we intend to tell you everything you need to know about EV charging and clear up the most common questions so that you can feel more confident about switching to electric mobility.
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Increase Foot Traffic At Your Place Of Business
Several studies have revealed that EV charging stations attract new customers and increase the amount of time customers spend within a store or restaurant, which leads to increased sales. Charles Satterfield with Atlas Public Policy said during a panel hosted by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions the indirect income from increased foot traffic is usually more significant than user fees from the charging itself. Other than that, it increases customer satisfaction, which often leads to customer retention and overall marketability of your business.
Are Ev Charging Stations Free
Some public stations provide charging at no cost. But free EV charging stations are far less common than those requiring payment.
You may wonder just how much it will cost to charge an electric car at a public charging station.
Generally speaking, most charging stations will charge by the kilowatt-hour , the amount of energy transferred to the cars battery. Unless its a free charger, the fee for the session is more than what it would cost to plug your electric car in at home. Most households in the United States pay an average of nearly 14 cents per kWh. Its unlikely youll find many public chargers that offer to juice up your EV for less than that.
Fees at some public stations are priced per minute.
In many cases, individual station owners set charging prices. Just because theres a ChargePoint network logo on the charger doesnt mean prices are uniform. The charger at your local grocery store might not cost the same as the station in a nearby shopping center parking lot.
Some major retailers, such as Whole Foods, offer free chargers at many locations, though realistically, this perk is bound to expire at some point.
Additionally, most new car dealers offer free charging stations on-site, though their usefulness is dubious. For example, car dealership locations dont tend to be in the most convenient areas. Also, dealers will need to use them for their cars. After hours, many dealers close gates that will prevent drivers from reaching those stations, too.
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Electric Car Charging Station Network Operators
To be able to properly use public chargers, youâll have to learn which charging networks are available in your area. There are many different public charger operators across Canada and the United States. Most of them are specific to certain areas, but there can be several of them in the same area. There are two categories of station network operators:
Networked Smart Charging Stations
To use a networked charger, also known as smart public charging stations or connected stations, you must subscribe to the network. In most cases, registration is free and fees only apply when you use of their chargers, although some of them can be used free of charge. Youâll need the RFID card or the mobile app of the network to activate and use the charger. SemaConnect stations can be activated directly from the ChargeHub app without any subscription needed.
ChargePoint
USA + Canada
Independent Public Charging Stations
Independent public chargers are installed by local businesses or by individuals who want to make charging available on their property. Itâs not necessary to be a member of a network to use those chargers. Some conditions may apply to some of them.
Ev Charging Levels And All Types Of Chargers Explained
Charging can be categorized in multiple ways. The most common way to think about EV charging is in terms of charging levels. There are three levels of EV charging: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3and generally speaking, the higher the level, the higher the power output and the faster your new vehicle will charge.
Generally speaking, the higher the level, the higher the power output and the faster your new vehicle will charge.
However, charging times are always dependent on a combination between the type of battery and charging capacity of the car, and the power output of the charging station.
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More From Cnbc Climate:
Officials said the standards will ensure a unified network of chargers with similar payment systems, pricing information and charging speeds. The rule mandates real time information on station pricing and location so drivers can better plan their trips. And stations would be required to have a minimum number and type of chargers.
“We’re tackling range anxiety and vehicle charging deserts by making sure that charging stations are easily and equally accessible, allowing every American can get coast to coast in an electric vehicle,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.
The U.S. is the world’s third-largest market for EVs behind China and Europe. EV drivers spend 60% less each year on fuel costs compared to drivers of gas-powered cars, according to a 2020 Consumer Reports study.
The White House has previously proposed an EV incentive package to allocate additional money for consumers who purchased EVs built by unionized workers. The administration has also pledged to transition its federal fleet of 600,000 cars and trucks to electric power by 2035.
The proposed rule is expected to publish in the Federal Register next week.
Why Do I Need A Charger Can I Not Just Use A 13a Plug
A charger has multiple advantages over a 13A plug -1. Fast Charging: EV Chargers depending upon their rated capacity can charge your EV at much faster rates compared to 13A plug point.2. Safety: EV Chargers comes with many in-built protection systems which enhances the overall safety.3. Access Control: EV Chargers comes with OTP / RFID authorization systems. So you can rest assured that no one can misuse charging point at your parking lot without your permission.4. Smart Features: Most EV Chargers comes with features like remote access and control, smart charging etc. which are not available in 13A plug.
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Youre Not Just Imagining It There Are More Ev Charging Stations Out There Our Latest Tally Of Canadian Charging Network Deployments Shows A 22 Per Cent Increase In Fast
Last March, Electric Autonomyreported on the growth of Canadas electric vehicle charging networks. Networks on both national and provincial levels were undertaking significant expansion projects, aiming to quickly shrink the gaps between areas where EV owners could drive with confidence.
Today, in early 2021, its clear that despite the widespread upheaval that characterized much of 2020, a good deal of that projected growth has been realized. Many networks continue to work towards bold plans for further expansion the rest of this year and beyond.
Through the start of this month, Natural Resources Canada data showed that there were 13,230 EV chargers at 6,016 public stations across the country. That was up almost 15 per cent from the 11,553 chargers at 4,993 stations we reported in March.
Significantly, 2,264 of those public chargers are DC fast chargers, which are capable of delivering full vehicle charges in less than an hour and sometimes in a matter of minutes. That number, which has risen by over 400 since March a 22 per cent increase is the most crucial for EV drivers with long distances in mind.
Level 2 chargers, which typically take a few hours to fully charge an EV, are also important as they allow drivers to charge while at destinations, such as workplaces, shopping malls, business districts and tourist attractions.
The 15 Best Ev Charging Station Companies
- The 15 Best EV Charging Station Companies
Electric vehicle charging stations are an investment that reduces greenhouse emission reductions and is a great business idea. Installing charging stations promotes the usage of EVs, which are cost-effective, energy-efficient, good for the environment, and an excellent option to move around. More importantly, they will be absolutely necessary in the medium-term.
If you want to install EV charging stations at your workplace, multi-dwelling unit, or as a business opportunity, you should take a look at the best EV charging station companies. In this article, we review some of the best and most popular EV charging station companies that deliver excellent products with great software, quality services, outstanding technical support, and more.
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