If you’re considering buying an electric car, you might want to know how many amps are needed to charge it.
Electric cars can be charged by three different types of car charging points, that generate different ranges of Voltage and Amperes. Each kind offers different durations for a full charge. The ampere count can vary between cars, and it depends on the usage you intend to implement.
Electric Vehicles(EVs) typically use 32-48 amperes and over, and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Cars(PHEVs) consume 16-32 amperes. The user can set the ampere count depending on where they are, how fast they want the car to charge, and its electrical capabilities.
I will go into more detail below.
How Many Amperes Can a Car Handle
There are two categories of plug-in electric cars: Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).
In both types, most cars consume from 16 to 32 amps. In general, the number of amperes provided by a charging point can vary from 12 to 125.
Each amp adds a different mile range quantity per hour depending on the station’s type.
What Charging Point to Choose and Why
There are three types of amp charging stations:
Level 1 (AC Car Charging Points)
You can find these types of chargers usually in the workplace or at school.
To fully charge a car, Level 1 charging stations need many hours. This is why they are mostly used for emergencies and short drives.
- 12-16 amps provide 3-5 miles (4.8-8 kilometers) of range per hour
Level 2 (AC Charging Stations)
The Level 2 charging station is the most common and recommended type.
You can find them in most parking garages or lots. They offer a small, quick charge, depending on the amps you set.
- 16 amps provide 12 miles (19 km) of range per hour of charging
- 24 amps provide 18 miles (29 km) of range per hour of charging
- 32 amps provide 25 miles (40 km) of range per hour of charging
- 40 amps provide 30 miles (48 km) of range per hour of charging
- 48 amps provide 36 miles (58 km) of range per hour of charging
- 50 amps provide 37 miles (60 km) of range per hour of charging
A level 2 charging point is ideal for charging your car for long drives.
Level 3 (Fast DC Electric Car Charging Points)
You can find them in rest stops or shopping areas.
This charger is the fastest one of all. A full charge does not take longer than an hour.
- 32-125 amps can charge almost 80% of a car in 20-30 minutes.
Why Do the Numbers Differ That Much
Depending on your needs, you can choose to charge your electric car in any of the above charging station categories.
The Capabilities of Your Car
You can find your car’s electrical capabilities in the user’s manual.
Nevertheless, most electric vehicles have a maximum of 16-32 amps while charging. Some can even adjust accordingly to absorb more amps per hour.
You can ask a specialist if your car can handle more than the usual numbers in an electrical service station.
How Much You Will Drive
If you are planning a long journey in your car, you need to fill it with as much power as possible.
An amp charging station provides the car with different mile ranges, depending on the setting. If you need a charge to go for many miles, you will need more electricity to keep the car going.
Keep in mind that the more amps you provide to the car, the more considerable the mile range.
How Quickly Do You Want the Car to Charge
Electric car charging with few amps can take many hours and might not finish overnight.
If you need an emergency quick charge, you must use a lot of amps for your car. If the vehicle can manage such an electrical load.
Wrapping Up
Consulting an electrical service station for your car is a reasonable option to guarantee that your electric automobile can handle the amps you provide. However, you can find this information in the user’s manual of your car.
You can choose the right number of amps. It depends on the usage of the car, its type, and the velocity of the charge.
Take a look at some of our related articles below.
Video Reference
Plugin Report