常見問題 FAQ
If you have a fixed parking space, we recommend installing a wall-mounted EV charger for convenient overnight charging at home, ensuring your vehicle is fully charged each day. You can select from slow, medium, or fast charging equipment based on your daily driving needs. Additionally, please check your vehicle’s charging plug type to ensure compatibility with the charging cable.
All GAC charging equipment uses Type 2 charging plugs, including:
- GAC EV Charger (RFID) - 7kW
- GAC EV Charging Cable - Type 2
- GAC Portable EV Charger - 13A UK Plug / Type 2
These products are designed to meet the diverse charging needs of most users.
When choosing charging equipment, you can decide based on your driving habits and charging needs. Below are the specifications and suitable scenarios for different types of charging, according to the Environmental Protection Department's standards:
According to the EPD's standards, charging power is classified into three levels:
- Standard (Slow) Charging: Power below 2.8kW
- Medium-speed Charging: Power between 2.8kW and 20kW
- Fast Charging: Power above 20kW
Common charging currents and their corresponding power outputs are as follows:
- Slow Charging (13A): 13A x 220V / 1000 = 2.8kW
- Medium-speed Charging (16A): 16A x 220V / 1000 = 3.5kW
- Medium-speed Charging (Single-phase 32A): 32A x 220V / 1000 = 7kW
- Fast Charging (Three-phase 32A): 32A x 3 x 220V / 1000 = 21kW
Slow Charging
If you don't use your car frequently, we recommend using a lower charging current with slow charging. Although the charging time is longer (approximately 8-10 hours, depending on battery capacity), this method has a relatively smaller impact on battery lifespan and is also more cost-effective. If you only use your vehicle for short commutes within the city, slow charging is usually sufficient.
Medium-speed Charging
Medium-speed charging offers a good balance between charging time and speed, typically taking about 2 to 7 hours (depending on the EV model). Please note that some medium-speed charging stations in Hong Kong require users to bring their own charging cables, so it is advisable to purchase a dedicated medium-speed charging cable.
Fast Charging
The main advantage of fast charging is its speed. It can typically charge a battery to 80% in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for long trips or situations requiring a quick charge. However, fast charging stations generally require more complex and expensive equipment, leading to higher installation costs. They are commonly found at major automakers' supercharging stations or highway service areas.路服務區。
To help you choose the right charging equipment, here are the mainstream electric vehicle charging plug standards:
1. Type 1 (J1772)
Primarily used in North America for AC (Alternating Current) charging. It features a rounded, easily recognizable connector.
2. Type 2 (Mennekes)
The common standard in Europe, and also the most prevalent choice internationally and in Hong Kong. It supports higher charging rates and offers broad compatibility.
3. CCS (Combined Charging System)
This standard combines the Type 2 AC connector with DC fast-charging capabilities, delivering very high charging speeds. It is one of the widely adopted fast-charging standards globally.
4. CHAdeMO
Originated in Japan and specifically designed for DC fast charging. It maintains a significant presence in Asian and European markets.
5. GB/T (Guobiao Standard)
The Chinese national standard. Its charging plugs are designed to meet mainland China's charging infrastructure requirements and also support fast charging.
Understanding the specifications and regional applicability of different charging plugs will help you select the most suitable charging solution based on your vehicle's specifications and usage environment. Our professional team is ready to provide advice - please feel free to contact us for further assistance.
You can determine the best charging time by considering the following factors to balance cost-saving and battery maintenance:
1. Electricity Cost
We recommend charging during off-peak hours, typically at night, when electricity rates are generally lower. This can effectively reduce your charging costs. Please check the time-of-use tariff details with your electricity provider.
2. Battery Maintenance
Whenever possible, it's advisable to start charging when the battery level drops to around 20% - 30% and stop at approximately 80% - 90%. Avoiding keeping the battery at a full or very low state of charge for extended periods helps prolong its lifespan.
3. Convenience
Make the most of periods when the vehicle is parked for longer durations, such as overnight or during work hours, for slow charging. This practice meets daily driving needs while aligning with battery care principles.
In summary, utilizing slow charging during off-peak night hours is considered the best practice for optimizing both economic efficiency and battery health.
To balance daily usage needs with long-term battery health, we offer the following general recommendations:
For Daily Use
For most daily commutes and short trips, it is recommended to maintain the battery level between 20% and 80%. This range helps effectively slow down battery aging and reduces chemical stress, thereby extending its overall lifespan.
Adjusting for Specific Needs
If you are planning a long journey or require maximum range, you can charge the battery to a higher level (e.g., 90% or 100%). It is advisable to perform a full charge just before departure and avoid leaving the battery at 100% charge for extended periods when parked.
Follow Vehicle Guidelines
Battery management systems can vary between different vehicle models. For the most accurate guidance, please refer to the charging guidelines provided by your vehicle's manufacturer and set your charging limit accordingly.
You can use a simple formula to estimate the charging time for an electric vehicle. Please note that this is a theoretical estimate; actual charging time may vary due to battery condition, ambient temperature, and power fluctuations during the charging process.
Calculation Formula
Charging Time (hours) = Battery Capacity (kWh) ÷ Charging Power (kW)
Example Calculation
Assuming your EV has a battery capacity of 75 kWh, and you are using a 60 kW DC fast charger to charge from a low state to 80%:
75 kWh ÷ 60 kW = 1.25 hours
The estimated total charging time is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Important Notes
- Charging Percentage: The calculation above assumes starting from a low state of charge. As the battery approaches full capacity, the charging speed typically slows down to protect the battery (especially with DC fast charging). Therefore, the time required to charge from 80% to 100% is not proportional.
- Charging Loss: During AC charging (e.g., using a home charger), some energy is lost as heat. Consequently, the actual charging time required may be slightly longer than the calculated result.
Understanding the difference between Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) can help you choose the right charging method. An electric vehicle's battery stores energy as DC power, while the electricity from the grid is AC power. Here are the key differences in their charging applications:
Direct Current (DC) Fast Charging
- Characteristic: High charging power; it can directly charge the EV battery without conversion by the vehicle's onboard charger.
- Advantage: Capable of replenishing a significant amount of range in a short time, offering high time efficiency.
- Common Scenarios: Public fast-charging stations, highway service areas.
- Note: Due to higher equipment and installation costs, charging fees are typically more expensive. To protect the battery, charging speed automatically slows down as the state of charge approaches full.
Alternating Current (AC) Charging
- Characteristic: Lower charging power; the AC electricity must be converted to DC by the vehicle's onboard charger before it can be stored in the battery.
- Advantage: Mature technology, with relatively lower equipment and charging costs.
- Common Scenarios: Home wall-mounted chargers, charging points in residential communities and office buildings.
- Note: Charging speed is limited by the maximum power rating of the vehicle's onboard charger, resulting in medium or slow charging speeds. This makes it ideal for situations where the vehicle is parked for extended periods, such as overnight charging at home.
Understanding the difference between single-phase and three-phase electricity is crucial when choosing home charging equipment for your electric vehicle.
Single-Phase Electricity
- Application: Commonly used in residential and office environments with lower power demands.
- Charging Power: Can support charging power up to approximately 7.4kW.
Three-Phase Electricity
- Application: Primarily used in data centers, industrial, and commercial settings with high power demands, for powering large equipment. Some large housing estates, village houses, and detached houses in Hong Kong may also have three-phase power available.
- Charging Power: Theoretically can provide charging power up to approximately 22kW.
Selection Considerations & Practical Limitations
- Vehicle Compatibility: Please note that the onboard chargers of most electric vehicles currently on the market only support single-phase charging. This means that even if a 22kW three-phase charger is installed, its full capacity may not be utilized.
- Location Power Configuration: Furthermore, the actual power output in many residential car parks in Hong Kong may be limited (e.g., only providing 16A current), which further restricts the charging speed.
Therefore, for most EV owners, single-phase charging (providing about 7kW power) is sufficient to fully meet charging needs during overnight or extended parking periods, making it a common choice that balances practicality and cost-effectiveness.
Proper charging habits and daily maintenance are key to extending the life and maintaining the performance of your electric vehicle battery.
Recommended Charging Habits
- Avoid Extreme States of Charge: Try to keep the battery level between 20% and 80%. Avoid frequently fully discharging the battery or leaving it at 100% charge for extended periods.
- Prioritize Slow Charging: For daily use, it is recommended to use slow charging (AC) as the primary method, as it helps slow down battery aging.
- Using Fast Charging Appropriately: While convenient, fast charging (DC) involves high currents and temperatures. Frequent long-term use might impact long-term battery health. However, modern EVs are equipped with advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS) that dynamically regulate charging, so moderate use of fast charging typically does not cause significant degradation.
Daily Maintenance Tips
- Avoid Extreme Environments: Avoid parking the vehicle in extremely high or low temperatures for prolonged periods.
- Regular Checks: Be mindful of any abnormal battery heating or significant decreases in charging efficiency, and seek professional inspection when needed.
By adopting these simple habits, you can effectively extend your battery's lifespan, ensuring a more reliable and durable EV experience.