How do you charge an electric car? Your in-depth guide with Nicki Shields / Electrifying (4K)

To find out more about the world of electric cars, head over to www.electrifying.com
If you’re making the switch to an electric car, there’s one aspect of ownership that might seem a little baffling at first - and that's charging.
The reason why it sounds more complicated than it should is because there are a number of different ways of doing it. But the good news is that all of them are simple and straightforward once you understand how they work.
In this video, Nicki shows you the different ways in which you can charge the battery on an electric car - from the fastest to the slowest.
With the help of a Hyundai Ioniq, Nicki takes you through the potentially complicated world of three-pin, home wallbox and rapid charging.
Read more about the Hyundai Ioniq and explainers for charging, taxes and everything else about going electric on Electrifying.com here: www.electrifying.com/reviews/...
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And please let us know what you'd like to see us film or talk about, we'd love to hear from you. If you like the videos check out Electrifying.com where you'll find the latest reviews, our EV Dictionary and the latest news about Formula E from Nicki Shields.
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This video was shot by Manos Kountouris at wefilmcars.com

[@mikeohara8758]

Good video. When at the 150kW charger, Nikki says the price is per kW. It’s not, the price is still per kWh, but you pay more for each kWh if you can charge at 150kW than if you can charge at 50kW.

[@iallso1]

I mainly charge at home home using the 240v supply. Here in NZ there are plenty of type 2 (22kw), CCS (50kw), and CHAdeMO (50kw) chargers in the region. The app we use is ChargeNet and we get a dongle that we swipe on the charger to activate.

[@tomattime]

Taking no one for granted,, keeping it clear, thanks Teach 😁 Keep on... Plugging away at persuading people to switch

[@jacksonbangs6603]

I drive a used Nissan Leaf in America. When I get home after a long day, it takes me about 1 minite to charge my car. As you mentioned, your EV can charge while you are sleeping.

[@philreilly6959]

Hi Nikki, I've read the other comments and I must say that some people are SOOO pedantic and critical! I don't have an electric car yet and this video seemed to be aimed squarely at someone like me. It's great that those who must already be electric car owners are watching your basic instruction videos, but I think they should step back when it comes to assessment - I felt that it was exactly what I need. Keep up the good work.

[@SirHackaL0t.]

A good response to the video. One thing she glossed over was the sheer amount of different charging RFID cards you amass over the time you own the car.. It has improved a bit the last year or so but as an example, I visited Dundee over the summer only to discover that I needed a Charge Scotland RFID card to use the charger which they would post to me. I was only there for a day so not very helpful. A lengthy phone call, 4 moves to different chargers and they got me charging but it did take over 30 minutes to get started. Some chargers will take a debit card but not many and you tend to pay more for the convenience. Oh, and don’t forget the Tesla Supercharger network (if you have a Tesla). That is literally plug and charge. No RFID cards, no payment cards required.

[@BlueBladeAnime]

Had my Ioniq for a week and have used a 7kw charger at the supermarket 3 times to top up whilst at the nearby gym. Free fuel, yay! My tip is to charge via any method that suits your lifestyle.

[@Hans-gb4mv]

As someone who has worked in electronics, it hurt when you said that kWh is the size of the battery as that is too simplistic. It's the capacity of the battery. Additionally, a home charger can be up to 22kW if you have a powerful 3 phase supply at home. But just as with DC chargers, not all cars can take that power (most only have a single phase onboard charger). Oh, and most people will be able to do their daily driving with the granny charger.

[@Tore_Lund]

A motorring reporter, that Actually knows the difference between KW and KWh, is a big improvement, most don't.

[@TheophilusPWildbeest]

That's like saying it's not the size of the fuel tank it's the capacity of the fuel tank. To the rest of us it's the same thing.

[@Hans-gb4mv]

@@TheophilusPWildbeest But with a fuel tank, size and capacity have a direct correlation. With a battery pack, it's not that simple. So rather than appropriate incorrect terms, let's try and get some correct terms in before they become part of the regular vocabulary.

[@TheophilusPWildbeest]

@@Hans-gb4mv we're getting into pedantics about the meaning of the word "size". I don't care what the battery dimensions or energy density are, but I admire the technology. How many kwh do I have in the tank (sorry) is what I want to know, and an analogy of "size" makes it easier for us non-techies to understand.

[@hellopsp180]

Its probably just me but i laughed so hard at that first scene. The BDSM scene with the “granny cable” LOL

[@nicholasrigg8999]

Worth mentioning A Better Route Planner as well as ZapMap etc

[@davidsworld5837]

it is also best to have and use more than one app as they don't all show all chargers there are you can use Buy you have to be aware you can't charge at chargers like staff carparks most car show room as for customer getting service etc

[@moff1959]

Looks like the UK has fallen into the same trap as the USA calling these devices "Home Chargers" they are not, they are power supplies or power cords, the cars onboard charger charges the battery these devices offer the level of AC power that can be delivered to safely achieve that task. As far as the consumer is concerned plugging in the power cord the car charges so I see both sides but "Rapid charging" is supplying DC charging current and home charging is supplying AC current for the vehicles onboard charger to convert to DC for battery charging.

[@TheBrucifer]

'Power Cords' can only charge at 10amp 240 so 2.4 kW, Where as 'Home Chargers' can charge at 32amp so 7.2kW or if you have 3 phase 22kW. Fair bit of difference.

[@moff1959]

@@TheBrucifer Who has three phase in there home? there are two levels of "power cord" 16amp and 32amp non are chargers they do not convert AC to DC charge current. They supply AC current to the vehicles onboard charger it decides how to charge the battery depending on the supply current being delivered.

[@TheBrucifer]

@@moff1959 power cord or ‘granny’ chargers are only 10amp in the U.K.. I have 3 phase and many in EU countries like France do too. It is why for example the Zoe has a 22kW 3 phase charger as standard. Doesn’t matter if it is AC or DC.. A ‘home charger’ is a wall box and a cable is a granny charger. If you supply AC from a socket without a controller in between like the Wall box or that is on the granny charger the car won’t charge... I know what you are trying to say but it will just confuse consumers.

[@moff1959]

@@TheBrucifer I haven't looked into 3 phase systems I will research that and see what they are doing as far as "charging" I remember most plugs having a 13amp fuse maybe that's changed, but what about the dedicated circuits in the UK like a electric oven or electric shower that can supply dedicated high current so why not a dedicated power supply for your EV?

[@moff1959]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqbdd5iwbttnqtU

[@TheophilusPWildbeest]

What about explaining the card you need to make them work, aren't there various networks that only work with certain chargers? Do I pay for a card then find it only works at some charging stations.

[@David-bl1bt]

Sadly yes, other than the Tesla network that is relatively simple and straight-forward, the charging network in the UK is a shambles. The chargers are owned and operated by many various companies. Each have their own app and payment method, so you will have to download many apps onto your smartfone. Generally speaking you need to open an account, register you payment card (credit or debit), then use the app at the particular providers' charger to be able to use it. Some chargers have a nfc touch pad. To use this you still have to have a registered account and one of their 'charge cards', or a dongle (that you can attach to your key fob). Once charge is complete your account will charge the cost of refuelling to your credit/debit cards that you have registered with them previously. Some suppliers charge a one-off fee to obtain one of their fuel cards, others an annual fee, some are operated on a pre-pay basis so you will have to top-up your account with funds before you can use their network. All are different so check with each provider that you I tend to use. With others you can use a regular 'contactless' credit/debit card just as you would in a supermarket or chip & pin if there is a reader built into the charger. These are currently few and far between. Then there is the cost of charging. Rates vary wildly. Unlike petrol/diesel where cost per litre varies by a few pence, with ev charging the cost of charging can be 30p per kWh or as much as 79p, making it difficult to cost-out a journey in advance. At these higher rates the cost per mile for an EV is actually more expensive than a fossil fuelled car, negating the main benefit of owning an EV. Then there is charger availability. Some cars have charger location information built-in to their cars infotainment system ( how up-to-date it is remains to be seen). Charger operators usually have locations of their chargers within their respective app. Alternatively there are a number of independent companies who have charger location databases for the vast majority of chargers which enables you to apply filters to show location of chargers that you specify. If the chargers are 'networked' it will show if they are in use or if they are not working. Such information is not available for non-networked chargers, so if you elect to use these it is at your own risk as they may be 'out of service' when you get there or have to wait a while if they are in-use. So as you can imagine, the charging network is fragmented and in disarray at the moment. Then there is the Tesla network that is considerably easier. Firstly there is no app necessary to use their chargers. You do have to register a debit/credit card on your account,but after that is fine it is relatively simple. You simply show-up at a charger and plug-in. Your account is identified when you plug-in the car and account debited once charging is complete. Additionally their supercharger network is the fastest there is at present, so the time it takes to charge your car is considerably less. The cost per kWh is a flat fee ( 24p per kWh I think at the time of writing), which is the cheapest rate. However Tesla superchargers are not countrywide, generally they are only available along main transit routes, so once off the main routes in some remote or rural areas, wales, cornwall for example their chargers will be few and far between so you will then have to revert to using the other networks the same as everyone else necessitating opening accounts/ downloading apps as previously described. Owning an EV is not for the feint hearted. I would urge anyone considering an EV to do plenty of research to clearly identify the pro's and con's and whether it is a viable option for your particular needs.

[@davidsworld5837]

you have to look at what charge companies are near you or on routes you use then pick the ones which provide the level (charge speed) you want. there are now some that take credit card but these seem to be 35 pence plus to use. due to card cost for the business to use. You have to take it that a tesla using tesla charger the car id is the card and you will still be billed by tesla so you are stuck with there pricing. unless like the rest of us you get cards or apps for charge networks

[@TheophilusPWildbeest]

@@davidsworld5837 Thanks, sounds like it's quite disjointed at the moment, and this isn't made clear to customers.

[@Reddylion]

Nice.

[@davidsworld5837]

if you could give me the name of the one that will go a home unit for £450. i asked for a quote from one company that started price was at £389 but for what the said - 2 m of cable and 1 hr extra both i doubt needed it went up to £680 with out any breakdown of the pricing so was total unclear and i did not get it.

[@moff1959]

Thats why they like to call them "home chargers" so they can charge hundreds for a simple power connection, granted there is a small circuit in there to preform a "Handshake" with the vehicle but its very simple. If the cost is for wiring in a dedicated supply from the breaker/fuse box then that's a different cost.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

What's stopping anyone pulling the rapid charger out of the car while I go to the shops?

[@leesmart1971]

The car locks the cable into the charge port whilst it is charging; only releasing when you unlock the car or charging is complete.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@leesmart1971 Oh OK. Cool!

[@davidsworld5837]

a lot of cars lock the charge head to the car. when charger is at between 90 and 95 % on 50kwh charges they stop and the cable is released from the car. if using your own cable there is a switch in the car to lock the cable so only you can release it

[@moff1959]

A big fear for the EV manufacturers is someone unplugging the vehicle while its charging at high current, that spike can cause damage at both ends of the charge process.

[@moff1959]

I like the word @Bru ce used in a previous comment "Controller" better than "Home charger" the wall box or the small box in-between the outlet plug and the EV vehicles plug is designed to do just that control the mains AC being delivered to the car. The circuit in there allows the EV's on board charger to control the mains AC, it locks the EV plug in place and turns on the mains to supply AC current to the onboard charger. The popular J1772 plug system on a lot of EV's has a few different AC supply options at the contact pins in the plug the EV on board charging system can sample that power supply and decide what is available to best charge the battery with the onboard charger. The Tesla system is very good at doing just that AC or DC in the same plug connections. The commercial chargers you see around the country are all supplying high DC charging current to charge the EV's battery, a big difference.

[@vorsprungelektro]

👍🏻🔋

[@briangriffiths114]

I would have liked to have heard more about what is considered a safe period of time (in hours) to use a granny charger, for bearing in mind that the continuous load of 2.3 kW is 80% of the maximum rating of a standard 13A UK socket and that it takes several weeks for a 7KW wall-box to be installed due to the present high demand. I would tend to restrict the charging period for no more than four hours during daytime with an hourly temperature check on the 3 pin plug and mains socket, even though my 10 year old home has modern electrics that were fully checked when my solar PV system was installed 2 years ago. Opinions from anyone who regularly uses a granny charger would be welcomed.

[@Elaba_]

Rebecca Jackson has got competition now.

[@bellshooter]

of course you don't explain that a 'granny charger' can charge your car with 60 miles of range any night which is way more than most users use.

[@idparkinson]

So you covered Rapid chargers, home chargers and granny chargers but completely missed out the most common public chargers i.e. Fast chargers the ones you find at supermarkets, car parks, destinations these charge from 3.6 to 22kwh and in many cases are free. What a poor video to miss them out.

[@davidsworld5837]

that is not correct about 3.6 to 22 kwh being free. there are a limited number at present 50 kwh chargers that are free. A great number in SCOTLAND. But any charger under 7 kwh are point less as time you will be on to get any range worth wild.

[@idparkinson]

@@davidsworld5837 what a load of tosh. There are so many ‘Fast’ or ‘Destination’ chargers out there, all at places were you stop for a while as you shop or park or go to work or visit tourist spots. 7kwh is perfect for these places as you usually stop for 2, 3, 4 hours. I can get a full charge at a 7kwh charger in 4 hours. Places like, National Trust, Trafford Centre, Warrington car park and many many more provide FREE charging.

[@BiW1nning]

It's a shame the 38kWh Ioniq can only charge at 40kW. Our older 28kWh Ioniq can pull almost 80kW, so 80% in just 25 minutes.

[@gerbre1]

With almost 80 kW you mean almost 70 kW, right? support.fastned.nl/hc/de/articles/223715447-Laden-mit-einem-Hyundai-Ioniq

[@BiW1nning]

@@gerbre1 Pulled an indicated 72kW at Instavolt

[@gerbre1]

@@BiW1nning I never saw 70 with my Ioniq. Are the chargers in GB officially calibrated? Maybe you paid more for what you get 😄

[@BiW1nning]

@@gerbre1 Honestly couldn't tell you, I was just enjoying the numbers whizz up!

[@gerbre1]

@@BiW1nning Yes, that's always something to enjoy. After a few moments the battery has enough charge to continue the trip.

[@richardcorns8553]

Tesla with v3 supercharger will add 1000mph charge rate.

[@richardcorns8553]

@Wooly Chewbakker It will still give you around 150 miles range from lsoc in around 10mins.

[@richardcorns8553]

@Wooly Chewbakker Just Google it.

[@Tom55data]

Now do a quick video on the shitshow that is the payment system on public chargers. Remember everyone, avoid Ionity like the plague - they cost twice the price per mile than petrol.

[@chris-vn6sw]

You left your trousers in the dryer too long.. 🤪🤪

[@rainman7992]

ummm....who dressed her for this video....? and are those ears...or her portable jewelry box.