Monetizing Three EV Charger Levels
About Jari Haiston
With the nation targeting a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, governing bodies, companies, and consumers in the US are seeking methods to reduce and prevent the production of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. Producing nearly one-fifth of the nation’s GHGs, fossil-fueled cars and trucks are poised to be named the next notable relics on the Antiques Roadshow as consumers race towards the future of electric-vehicles (EV). In fact, President Biden is laying the groundwork for EV purchases to make up half of all US auto sales by 2030.
While EV sales have climbed by more than 40% each year since 2016, America is still lacking the required charging infrastructure necessary to support the popularity and full integration of EVs. In an effort to prepare, initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) are being enacted to provide billions of dollars to develop and install sufficient charging infrastructure. Symmetry Electronics has everything developers need to jump on the EV charging bandwagon and design a comprehensive EV charging solution.
Three Levels of EV Charging
Contrary to common knowledge, EVs don’t solely apply to consumers. Different classes of electric vehicles (Figure 1) can also be utilized in industrial, manufacturing, and distribution centers. In fact, warehouse developers are encountering demand for EV chargers to support the growing in-house integration of electric vehicles and machinery. Executive Vice President of DH Property Holdings LLC, Aaron Malitzky, reports that prospective tenants are curious about “how many EV charging stations can they get in [a] building.”
Figure 1: Classes of electric vehicles (EVs).
Source: Synergy Files
Distribution companies like GE Appliances, a subsidiary of home appliances company Haier, have introduced EV chargers for their local-range fleet of electric trucks to courier products between manufacturing facilities and warehouses. However, implementing next-generation EV charger technology within corporations has its own set of challenges surrounding costs, capabilities, and electricity requirements. An electric vehicle or machine’s power requirements determine the level of EV charger necessary. There are three levels of EV chargers:
- Level 1 EV charging is most accessible and least expensive measure of EV charging. All EVs come with a cord that can be connected to a 120v household outlet. Charging rates average 3-5 miles per hour. Level 1 EV chargers are most appropriate for vehicles that travel less than 40 miles per day.
- Level 2 EV charging systems are available in many public charging facilities. Running via 240v, level 2 EV charging provides an average rate of 25-30 miles per hour.
- Level 3 EV charging, also known as DC Fast Charging, can be found in businesses like office buildings or shopping malls. Fast charging stations can also be seen at highway rest areas and provides ultra-rapid charging rates of 125 miles per 30 minutes of charging.
It should also be noted that not all EVs travel the same distance on the same amount of electricity. Miles per gallon electric (MPGe) depend on vehicle type, road & weather conditions, and driver habits.
Developing Your Own EV Charger
Symmetry Electronics has everything developers need to design a next-generation EV charging solution:
For a comprehensive connectivity solution, Nimbelink’s NL-SW-LTE-TC1NAG 4G LET CAT 1 North America embedded modem is ideally suited to deliver reliable cellular connectivity. Supporting GNSS and dual SIMs, the NL-SW-LTE-TC1NAG provides a single SKU for AT&T/Verizon networks, integrated TCP/IP stacks, and is AT&T FirstNet capable.
Digi International’s IX20-00N4 is a feature-rich, compact, and cost-friendly cellular routing platform that is well suited for industrial infrastructure applications. Providing automatic and software-selectable primary and backup WWAN connectivity over multi-carrier cellular LTE, the IX20-00N4 supports dual SIMs and is equipped with built-in, robust device security.
The Kyocera AVX 1002289F0-AA10L0200 LTE cellular embedded antenna is high-performance and based on a flexible substrate for convenient integration. As an enhanced connectivity solution, the 1002289F0-AA10L0200 supports cellular bands for LTE with backward compatibility.
Is More Charging Infrastructure the Only Requirement for Full EV Integration?
In order full EV integration to occur, accessibility around additional charging systems must be considered. Charging an EV at a public charging station can cost 5-10 times more than a private charging station. The BIL meets public demand for 500,000 new public EV charger installations, but also focuses on the need for economically accessible solutions for a sustainable EV future.