EV Charging

We are sharing our experiences in the EV Charging industry via our Tridens EV Charge software. Your feedback is welcome and appreciated.

What is EV?

EV is short for an electric vehicle. An EV is a vehicle fully or partially powered by electric power.
There are three types of electric vehicles:
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is powered only by an electric motor and electricity from the battery. When talking about e-mobility and EV adoption, this is the type of electric vehicle everyone has in mind. It’s the only 100% electric vehicle.
A Hybrid Electric Vehicle combines an electric and internal combustion engine (ICE). The petrol engine and electric motor both simultaneously power the car. If the electric battery is charged only from the petrol engine, it’s called a hybrid (HEV). If the battery can be externally charged at a charging station, it’s called a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). While hybrid vehicles solve many problems of BEVs, they are less efficient and environmentally friendly.
A Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) gets its energy from a chemical reaction. The most common FCEV is a hydrogen-powered FCEV.

What is EV technology?
EV technology focuses on the development and improvements of electric vehicles. While electric-powered vehicles are not a new technology, truly significant progress was made only recently. With the growing popularity of EVs, the car industry shifted its focus on EV technology and is constantly improving. The main focus is on the improvements of the electric motor, new battery technology, and advances in EV charging.

What is EV charging?
Electric vehicle (EV) charging is the process of charging the battery of an electric vehicle (EV) with electric power. The charging can be done with alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Most EVs use lithium-ion batteries. Because EV batteries can store power only as DC, the current must be converted from AC to DC with an onboard converter or via a charging station.
The term EV Charging is often used to describe any process related to charging EVs. For example, a software solution used to manage a charging network is sometimes called simply EV Charging software.

What is Smart EV charging?
Smart EV charging is a term that describes EV Charging with advanced features like dynamic EV charging load management for power optimization and using different electricity tariffs to optimize the cost of charging. For a more in-depth look into these complex topics, please read our blog on Smart EV charging.

What is an EV charger?
An EV Charger is a device that supplies the electric vehicle (EV) battery with electrical power. A charger can take power from an ordinary household outlet or be connected directly to the power grid. Generally,
The electrical power from the grid is always AC, and the EV battery always needs DC. Charging from a regular household socket or an AC charger will require the EV to convert the current onboard, thus making the charging slower. The faster chargers use DC power.
EV chargers are either more simple home EV chargers for private use or stronger and faster EV charging stations for public or commercial use.
Please read our Smart EV charging station solutions blog for a more in-depth look into EV chargers.

What is an EV charging station?
An EV charging station usually describes an EV charger intended for public use. Sometimes a charging station is also called an EV station or an EV charge point, but it’s the same thing.
EV charging stations vary in size and power output (speed of charging). They must be professionally built and installed by EV charging station contractors. Charging stations are operated and maintained by Charge Point Operators (EV CPO), while Electro mobility service providers (EMSP) handle the commercial side – selling charging to users.
Read our blog if you are confused by all the titles in the EV charging industry, like EV CPO and EMSP.

What is the best EV charging station?
There is no simple answer to the question what is the best EV charging station? The best charging station is the one that works without a problem, is in the right location, and has the best price. It’s not about the station but who manages and maintains a particular EV Charging network. The best EV charging station (and network) will have the best EV CPO for maintenance, the best EV charging platform for operation, and the best EMSP for dealing with user experience.

What is a public EV charging network?
A public EV charging network is a group of EV charging stations operated by one Electro mobility service provider (EMSP). Every EMSP has its EV charging business model, but the common thing is that it rewards loyalty. Being a loyal member of one EV charging network can reduce the cost of charging with various rewards. An EV charging network also has its EV charging app with payment methods, so charging is much more convenient.

Who are EV charging station companies?
EV charging station companies is just another term used to describe the Electro mobility service provider, aka the companies that run public EV charging networks and provide EV Charging to EV drivers.