Range anxiety and charging convenience are often the primary obstacles for drivers hesitant about switching to battery power. Similarly, many drivers who have already decided to take the plunge prioritize battery capacity and max charging speed in their search. Hyundai scores well in both these areas—the IONIQ 5 offers up to an estimated 303 miles of range and 350-kW charging capability that can refill the battery by 80% in under 20 minutes. However, while this information is useful and a strong selling point, you may be relieved to learn that ultra-fast charging and maximum battery capacity aren't essential for most drivers to get the most from their EV experience.
Charging equipment and speed are typically divided into three tiers: Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging and DC fast charging. While the third level offers the quickest charging times, it's generally not necessary for most daily driving needs. In fact, if you have a standard commute, it's possible to get by with a basic, three-prong household wall outlet. This blog will provide a quick overview of the different charging methods and demonstrate that EV ownership can be just as practical, if not even more convenient, than driving a standard combustion vehicle.
Level 1 AC Charging
Level 1 charging refers to 120V power, the amount supplied by a standard household wall outlet. Most EVs will come with a portable EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) that plugs directly into a three-pin socket. Electric vehicles generally draw 12 amps from this type of outlet, equal to 1.44 kilowatts. That's quite slow, especially compared to DC fast charging, which regularly exceeds 150kW. However, it may be more useful than you might think.
Fifty miles of highway driving in an efficient electric model might only use 12–13 kWh. The math states it will take Level 1 charging about 9 hours to recover (13kWh ÷ 1.44kW = 9.03 hours), but we'll round up to 10 hours to account for loss to heat and resistance. That seems like a long time—and it is—but the majority of that can be done while you sleep. Level 1 isn't a perfect solution for everyone, but it can be more practical than you might think for a fully electric vehicle. And if you can supplement it with Level 2 charging at your workplace or grocery store parking lot, it may be all you need for long stretches of time.
Level 2 AC Charging
Level 2 charging is 240V power. These chargers are installed in homes and public spaces and use the same type of power as a clothes dryer--many EVSEs can plug into the same type of outlet. Level 2 charging is more involved than Level 1 and may require some electrical work to set up, but it's not as complicated as it seems. While many Level 2 EVSEs can replenish 100% of an EV's battery capacity overnight, it's generally recommended to maintain a charge between 20% and 90% to maximize the battery's lifespan.
Level 2 EVSEs supply different amounts of power depending on the circuit capacity (in amps). A 240V outlet typically carries from 15 to 100 amps, equivalent to 3 to 19 kW. To avoid getting too technical, here's a quick comparison of how many miles of range per hour you can (typically) get from different 240V power levels:
- 2.9kW: 8 miles of range per hour (MRPH)
- 3.8kW: 10 MRPH
- 7.7kW 20 MRPH:
- 11.5kW: 30 MRPH
- 19.2kW: 50 MRPH
DC Fast Charging
DC Fast Charging is the quickest way to replenish an EV battery. However, due to the extra strain on the battery, it should be limited to long-distance trips. In most EVs with 150kW charging capability, this equates to an ~80% charge in about 30 minutes, and just 18 minutes with 350kW, like the IONIQ 5 is capable of. With charging stations becoming more prevalent by the year, long-distance EV traveling is more accessible than ever.
There's a lot more to EV charging than we covered here, and it's not a perfect solution for every driver. But hopefully, this blog imparted that while fast charge times and large battery packs are easy comparison points, you probably don't need to max out these stats to enjoy EV ownership.
If you'd like more information about Hyundai's electrified vehicle offers or the EV ownership experience, please reach out to Hyundai of Noblesville or visit us at your convenience. It will be our pleasure to assist you.
