How Do Electric Cars Store Energy?

Internal combustion engine vehicles use petrol, diesel or LPG as fuel. In electric cars, this is different.

Like all other electric appliances, electric cars run on electrical energy. Just as internal combustion vehicles have a fuel tank, electric cars have a battery system.

Just like mobile phones, electric cars store electrical energy in batteries and when the battery runs low, the vehicle is charged to refill it. Various charging types are available to fill the batteries.

Charging types for electric car batteries

These charging types are classified according to the features they offer. Fuel types in internal combustion vehicles could vary; for example, regular and premium fuel types at petrol stations can be given as an example.

These fuel types could affect vehicle performance. However, the difference among electric vehicle charging types mostly concerns charging time. In some charging types, charging takes very long, while in others it is quite short.

These charging types are:

Conventional Charging (16 amp), Semi-Fast Charging (32 amp) and Fast Charging.

Conventional charging: In this charging type, the vehicle needs 8 hours for a full charge. This charging type uses homes with 16 amp and 230 volt electrical supply.

Therefore, vehicles should be left charging overnight for a full charge.

Semi-Fast Charging: In this charging type, full charge time is 4 hours. This charging type requires an energy density of 32 amp and 230 volts.

Fast Charging: In this charging type, like new-generation phones, filling the battery to 80 percent takes a relatively short time of about half an hour.

After 80 percent, the charging speed slows somewhat. Unlike other charging types, this charging type can produce an output power of 50 kW. This requires special infrastructure.

In short, various charging types exist for electric vehicles. These charging types relate only to charging duration. While a full charge takes 8 hours in one charging type, 80 percent charge takes half an hour in another.

However, it should not be forgotten that these charging times are for full charge capacity. Just as a full tank is not always needed in internal combustion vehicles, full charge capacity is not always required in electric cars either.