This series of EV-related articles is brought to you by ClipperCreek powered by Enphase. ClipperCreek has been a pioneer in the EV charging market since 2006 and sold more than 110,000 Level 2 AC charging stations since its inception. You can catch our first article here: Buying Your First BMW EV.
So you’ve finally made the switch over to a fully-electric BMW. Hopefully, you haven’t gotten your new EV home and realized you have no idea what you’re doing, and immediately consulted the Internet for advice. But if that is the case – we’re here to help! Here’s the quick and easy guide to BMW EV charging.
What’s In a Word? Common EV Terminology Explained
One of the most confusing aspects of EV ownership can be simply terminology! Don’t know if your new BMW EV can handle the amps from a DC charger? Well, first, it can – but read on to get a quick rundown of the most commonly thrown around EV terms.
- Amp: the volume at which electricity flows. Higher is better for charging purposes and generally is used interchangeably with the speed at which a charger will charge a given vehicle. Not to be confused with a volt, or voltage, which measures the amount of force the electrons are traveling with (which is largely unimportant for EV ownership).
- DC Charging: Also known as Level 3 Charging, these units utilize DC current instead of AC (which is what we use in our homes) to quickly charge a vehicle. Great for charging on the go in public areas, but it doesn’t scale for home use well…yet.
- kW / kWh: Kilowatts (kW) measure an EV’s power think horsepower. Kilowatt-hour (kWh) measures how much power the battery expends over one hour. Some people prefer to think of kWh as battery size, and though it’s technically inaccurate, it is an effectively reliable measurement.
- Level 1 / 2 / 3 Charging: Level 1 Charging is no longer viable for most EVs, providing single-digit miles per hour of charging. It uses the ubiquitous 120-volt charger found in household outlets. Level 2 Charging is becoming the new standard: it utilizes 240-volt outlets, also found in homes for appliances like central air conditioning units and dryers. But remember: volts aren’t everything! Ensure your vehicle can handle increased amps – Level 2…
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