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Does Your EV Charging Station Have These Amenities?

All businesses have one main goal- Providing the best customer experience. This is true even if you want to set up an EV charging station. Wondering what an EV charging station has to do with customer experience? Well, here's a fact: Charging EVs takes time. We are talking about a minimum of thirty minutes to get at least 80% charge.

Longer charging times mean longer dwell times for customers. To make their charging experience worth the time and money, you need to spruce up your charging station with adequate amenities and services.

Why Do EV Charging Stations Require Amenities?

EV charging is unlike refuelling your car or bike, where you fill it, shut it, and forget it. And let's not forget that even fuel stations nowadays sport coffee shops and mini stores for their customer's benefit. No one's complaining about having a quick cuppa or a packet of chips after filling their gas tanks, are they?

The reason for having amenities in a charging station is more profound with EVs. An EV's charging capacity depends on:

  • The battery's charging capacity measured in kilowatts
  • Battery size
  • Charging options

Sometimes, even the weather determines how an EV's battery remains charged. Besides, once a battery is 80% charged, the charging speed slows down to prevent the battery from being damaged. However, an EV with 80% charge is good to go for hundreds of miles.

So, let's say a customer drives into your EV station to charge their car. Their dwell time will range from at least 15 to 60 minutes, even if you have an ultra-modern charging facility. What will your customers do while waiting for their vehicles to charge? Having all the potential services, amenities, and merchandise within their reach will improve their charging experience and give them a reason to return to your station.
This is also a great strategy to improve business and encourage people to opt for EVs.

So, let's check out the various amenities your EV charging station can have.

List of Facilities to Spruce Up Your EV Charging Station

1. Restrooms

A restroom is the most basic convenience businesses must provide for their customers. Once their vehicles are plugged in, the next thing they may want to do is answer nature's call. A restroom is a must, especially if your station is located on a remote highway or away from the city or town.

2. Lounge area

Having high-volume charging traffic is the key to justifying lounges. From a business perspective, a well-equipped lounge with ample conveniences such as clean bathrooms, WiFi, workstations and a coffee bar could be a valuable money-making factor. Moreover, these lounges would be useful for drivers of ride-sharing services at airports and other high-traffic areas.

3. Food service

Remember that at least 70% of the travellers who stop to charge their EVs wouldn't mind grabbing a quick bite to eat. It would not be a problem for customers to order a sandwich, burger, or burrito for the same amount of time it would take for the car to charge. And let's not forget the number of customers a coffee shop would attract just by having EV charging points in their parking lot.

However, this concept would only make sense if your station has at least a hundred charging stations.

Another ideal scenario that may work for you (especially if you are short-staffed) is to install vending machines. You can also opt for third-party vending machine services for refilling and maintenance.

4. Shops

There's a high possibility for EV owners to make a purchase while refuelling their cars. Think of it- There's no better way to kill time than to browse the aisle of a well-stocked convenience store, grab a few knick-knacks or stock up on the potato chips for kids. This incredible business strategy works both ways: You can install EV charging points at your convenience store or vice versa.

5. Entertainment

Install a wide-screen LED TV and set up a dozen comfy-looking chairs, and you will have a room full of EV owners catching up on the news or watching a cricket match while waiting for their vehicles to charge. A TV will also give weary children some respite from a long day's travel.

6. Air for tyres

Today, almost every fuel pumps have air-filling stations because it has become more of a necessity than a luxury. Besides, most stations offer this amenity completely free of cost. Hence, installing an air-filling station along with the charging outlets only makes sense.

7. Maintenance services

Generally, EVs require very little maintenance. However, you could think about investing in a small maintenance workshop, especially when business picks up and your centre starts attracting more vehicles. You can offer quick or emergency services like:

  • Windshield wiper replacement
  • Brake replacement
  • Tyre rotation
  • Wheel alignment
  • Car wash
  • Car vacuuming
  • Waxing

Other services like car wash or self-service vacuum options can also be considered.

8. WiFi connection

Providing WiFi networks to incoming customers is a fast-catching trend. Not everyone will want to watch TV or spend time at your convenience store. You will have customers who would rather spend their time being productive at work. A strong WiFi connection in your lounge could prove immensely useful for customers willing to pay for the service.

Closing Notes

A long charging time is an excellent opportunity to provide facilities that add value to your customer's experience at your charging station. Interested in buying an EV or want to know more about improving your customer's charging experience? Call our team at Nantech Power Systems Pvt Ltd., to gain insightful guidance. Nantech provides the best EV charging solutions in Chennai. Get in touch with us today.

Battery Swapping- The Promising Future of EV

The recent Union Budget 2022 rolled out the blueprint for India's 100th year. And the main focus was economic development. To do that, one of the notable suggestions was to give emphasis on creating infrastructure for the mass adoption of electric vehicles. Our Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced the Battery Swapping Policy. This policy is aimed at making EV's more accessible to the public by making them more affordable.

Any discussion about EV is never complete without discussing EV charging solutions. These vehicles will need charging plug points in all public places so that they can be charged easily and quickly. These charging stations are usually designed to dispatch DC or AC power (Direct Current, Alternating Current). The DC charging infrastructure is approximately 5X times quicker than the AC charging infrastructure. And, that makes the cost difference 100X times.

This disparity clearly indicates that DC charging stations will scale much slower than the AC charging stations. And that further turns our attention to the fact that India needs a more reliable alternate method to charge their electric vehicles.

Now, battery swapping makes a grand entry here. The concept of battery swapping is simple- any user can quickly replace a discharged battery with a new, fully-charged battery within a matter of minutes. It will be far easier than a trip to the nearest petrol bunk. IoT (Internet of Things) will check the battery's charge and offer the right guidance as to which battery to select at the swapping station. Thus you can ensure that the battery is completely charged and not just partially charged. Now that you know what battery swapping is, let us now take a look at the battery swapping policy announced by our Finance Minister!

Understanding the Battery Swapping Policy

During the Budget speech of Nirmala Sitharaman, she mentioned that "considering the constraint space in urban areas for setting up (electric vehicles) charging stations, a battery swapping policy will be brought out and interoperability standards will be formulated."

So, what are the key points we can derive from it?

Introduction of EV Battery Swapping Stations

India lacks the presence of easy to access EV charging stations in public places. We do not have the infrastructure to support it. This makes EV's an unattractive option for people who are looking for convenient solutions. In such a situation, battery swapping stations are a great alternative. It requires less space and can be easily incorporated into our existing infrastructure. EV owners can quickly swap the drained batteries of their EV and swap them with fully charged batteries.

Maintenance of Standards of Interoperability

The Battery Swapping Policy has also made it clear about establishing standards of interoperability. This will further make battery swapping easier for EV owners as any EV battery can be used in any EV brand. It simply means that the battery used in brand A can also be used in brand B and vice versa.

Increased Investment by EV Manufacturers

As a direct after-effect of the policy, there will be an increased investment by both new and existing EV manufacturers. Manufacturers will now focus more on improving the efficiency level of batteries and introducing embedded technologies. The set standards will be equally beneficial for EV owners as well. They will now get to choose between various competitive EV brands.

Battery Swapping to Make EV's More Affordable

If you analyse the costs involved in an electric vehicle, the battery cost is a major contributor. The cost of materials involved in developing the battery and technologies administered to make it efficient makes the overall cost of EV go higher and higher. Now, with the introduction of battery swapping, we can remove the battery part from EV as a separate purchase. This will make the cost of EV drop significantly. Though you will still have to buy a battery for your EV, the reduced upfront cost will make EV's more affordable for one and all. Interested to know more about EV? The experts at Nantech, Chennai, is here to assist you. Get in touch with us today!

EV Charger Buying Guide for 2021

2021 has brought us great news! The Automobile Giant and Electric Vehicles (EV) market leader Tesla is set to begin operations soon in India, after their initial set up in Bangalore earlier this year. What’s more, we can expect Tesla to enter Chennai as early as March!
This is great since we can now expect many traditional gas stations to have an EV booth or separate charging stations to pop up. What’s more, we will also have EV charging outlets in houses and Garages. With EVs being the future, we must talk about the charger, which isn’t given much attention.

Now EV chargers are of two types – Level 1 and Level 2, depending on the power output. The classifier here is that:

  • Level 1: Chargers have a Voltage requirement of 120 V
  • Level 2: Chargers have a Voltage requirement of 240 V

Some Automotive companies like Tesla offer a 1/2 charger, which can be used for both, but customers usually use Level 2 chargers in their charging stations. The reason is that with a higher voltage comes higher power delivery, and hence quicker charging times.

Now that you know this, A few things that you need to consider are the following:

  • Do you need any permissions to install such a high-voltage charging system?
  • Is your electrical connection capable of such a high-load supply? Should you consult with an electrician?
  • What’s the ideal location of installation for your charging dock? Is the cable long enough to reach your car?

Once you have considered these, we now move on to the checklist you need to tick-off in order to buy the right charger for your EV charging needs. With Chennai’s tropical climate, we suggest you look for a solar panel-inverter charging station that will complete your green setup!

What to consider for the right EV charger?

  • Power

A Level 2 charger can support an AC input from anywhere between 16-80 amps. We suggest not under-invest and buy a right charging dock. Today’s EVs can sustain 16 amps, but future requirements might increase, so ideally, invest in a 32 amp dock.

  • Cable Length

A typical 16 ft. cable is too small. Instead, we recommend that your cable length is at least 20 ft., with 24-25 ft. being ideal.

  • Safety Certified

Being a new market, many cables may not have undergone proper certification. We recommend that you buy from a brand that is safety certified by an established agency. Since these devices deliver high amounts of power and for a typically long duration of time, you want your security to be uncompromised. A safety certification rests all doubts, though it’s not necessary.

Installation type

Typically, two types of installations can be done:

Hardwired:
where one end of the cable is hardwired to the charging dock.

Plug-In:
The cable can be plugged in on both sides and detached when the job is done/not in use.

Plug-in cables can be used for a setup of up to 40 amps, beyond which it must be hardwired.
We hope that this guide helps you choose the best EV Charger to prepare for EV Chennai's future! Please Check us out at Nantech to find the best and quickest solution for your needs!

Aspects To Consider While Purchasing An EV Charger

EV chargers supply the electric energy required to recharge plugs in electric vehicles. Since EV chargers are mandatory, one has to bear in mind the requirements for purchasing an EV charger. The EV chargers supplied by Nantech match all the Chennai buyers' parameters to such an extent that they don't need to probe deep into the specifications of buying an EV charger. The following aspects should be taken into consideration while purchasing an EV charger.

Purchasing A Charger That Is Not Expensive

If one can do the charging at night, it is preferable to buy a cheaper Level 2 charger and to take out the car fully charged before going out. Again the cost to charge an EV depends on the car model, size of the battery, and whether the charging is done at home, in public, or workplace. The two types of chargers are hardwired and plug-in. The former is set into a fixed position and is connected to the electric supply permanently, while the latter is connected to an outlet.

Purchasing A Charger That Meets The Safety Requirements

Since safety is the predominant aspect of buying a car, ensure that the charger purchased is safe for the car. All established manufacturers bear this in mind, and a Chennai manufacturer of EV specifically designs chargers considering this in mind.

Purchasing A Charger Based On Cord Length

One needs to measure the distance between parking and the spot to install the port to assess the cord length before purchasing a charger. It is always better to talk with an electrician and check the electrical system to get more idea about the installation process.

Purchasing A Tethered Charger Or An Untethered Charger

In a tethered charger, the charging device is attached to the cable itself, thereby making the charging process more smooth. Here the cable is attached to the unit itself, making it more convenient and easy for charging on transportation. Since most cars supply with the cable, purchasing an untethered charge makes sense as it is neater and requires less space than the tethered charger.

Purchasing Batteries That Can Withstand The Drastic Environmental Conditions

It is always better to purchase batteries that do not require a 25 AMP charging socket for charging. Chennai based companies provide batteries which can be charged in 10 AMP or 15 AMP household socket. Conventional charging takes more than 6 hours, whereas a 90-second battery swap saves time. This accelerates the technological process involved, thereby making the whole process informative.

After installation, one has to ensure that a compliance certificate is delivered. After making all arrangements and even then the charger breaks down, the electrician can be made accountable. The charger purchased should be checked at least once a year, and it should always be clean and protected.

POWER SOURCE OF THE FUTURE

The world is fast changing. With all the commotion regarding "Save mother earth" and "Prevent global warming," every other company is striving hard to develop environment-friendly innovations. From the banning of plastics to promoting natural resources for the generation of electricity, all such initiatives are undertaken by the people. One such invention is electric automobiles. These electrically run automobiles are not only a fantastic product of one's creativity but also fast replacing conventional cars which use petrol, diesel, etc. Chennai is one of India's first few cities where the government has decided to set up electric vehicle charging stations. Moreover, these charging setups will be set up in government office parking lots and on NHAI and state highways. Suppose you are also looking to set up such charging stations, Nantech Power Systems Pvt Ltd is the best option for you.

What is An EV Charging Station?

It is an electric vehicle charging station, also known as electric vehicle supply equipment, electric recharging point, electronic charging station, an apparatus that connects an electric vehicle to a source to recharge electric cars, electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrids.
What are the different types of EV chargers?

There are three main types of electric charging

Level 1 EV charging

It requires a cord with an attached control box. It is usually supplied along with the electric vehicle. It takes approximately 16-20 hours to recharge the vehicle's batteries completely. However, its time of charging may also depend on the capacity of the car. All one needs to do is plug it into a three-pin well-grounded wall socket. It doesn't require any additional hardware installation. The only drawback it has is that it takes a lot of time to charge.

Level 2 EV charging

An additional hardware installation is needed in this type of charging, that is, of an AC wall box charger. It could be installed either at the customer's home or in their office. This additional equipment will enable the electric vehicle to be fully recharged within a maximum of about 7 hours, or more, depending on the electric automobile's capacity. Furthermore, it is said that it is more efficient in terms of energy use. Since it has the upper hand over the level 1 EV charging, it is naturally more expensive due to its intricate hardware.

Level 3 EV charging

This type of charging is called DC fast charging. It charges the battery to about 80 percent in less than an hour. The mechanism of action is that it converts the current from AC type to DC type, thereby allowing direct storage into the electric vehicle batteries. Sophisticated hardware is used for this charging. It is usually found at public charging stations.

Electric automobiles are the future of transportation. Its charging stations form the power source of the same, making it necessary for us to choose a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and worthwhile charging alternative.

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