Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular as people seek more sustainable transportation options. However, understanding the technical aspects of EVs, such as kW and kWh, can be confusing for those new to electric transportation. In this blog post, we’ll explain the difference between kW and kWh and how they relate to electric vehicles. We’ll also discuss how public chargers use these terms when billing and provide some tips on how to save money while charging your EV. By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of kW and kWh and their role in the world of electric transportation.
First, let’s define each term.
kW
kW stands for “kilowatt” and is a unit of power. It’s used to measure the rate at which energy is being used or generated at any given moment. For example, a 100 watt light bulb uses 100 watts of power when it’s turned on. If it’s on for one hour, it will have used 100 watt-hours of energy (more on watt-hours later).
kWh
kWh stands for “kilowatt-hour” and is a unit of energy. It’s used to measure the amount of energy used or generated over a period of time. For example, if that same 100-watt light bulb is on for 10 hours, it will have used 1,000 watt-hours (or 1 kWh) of energy.
Electric Vehicle Charging
Now that we’ve defined these terms, let’s talk about how they relate to electric vehicles. When you charge an electric car, you’ll notice that the charging station lists the charging rate in kW. This is the rate at which energy is being transferred from the charging station to the car’s battery. For example, if a charging station has a rate of 50 kW, it means it’s transferring 50 kW of power to the car’s battery at any given moment.
However, the amount of energy actually used (or the cost of charging) is measured in kWh. This is because the charging station is transferring power to the car’s battery over a period of time. For example, if you charge your electric car for 2 hours at a charging station with a rate of 50 kW, you’ll have used 100 kWh of energy (50 kW x 2 hours). This is the number that will be used to calculate the cost of the charge.
It’s worth noting that the rate at which an electric car charges is not always constant. Some charging stations have variable rates that change depending on the time of day, demand for electricity, or other factors. This means that the cost of charging can vary even if you’re using the same charging station.
Public Charging
Now, let’s talk about how public chargers use kW and kWh when billing. When you charge your electric car at a public charging station, you’ll typically be charged per kWh of energy used. The cost of each kWh will vary depending on the charging station and location, but it’s usually a few cents per kWh.
For example, let’s say you charge your electric car for 2 hours at a public charging station with a rate of 50 kW. As we mentioned earlier, this will result in the use of 100 kWh of energy. If the charging station charges £0.10 per kWh, the total cost of the charge would be £10 (100 kWh x £0.10/kWh).
It’s worth noting that some charging stations may have a minimum charge or a fixed fee for using their service. For example, a charging station may have a minimum charge of £5, even if you only use a small amount of electricity. It’s important to read the terms and conditions of each charging station before using their service to understand exactly how you’ll be charged.
Charging Credit
At EV Camper Company, we understand that charging the electric camper can be a concern when on an adventure. That’s why all of our hires come with 75 kWh of charging credit per day of hire. This credit can be used with either Charge Place Scotland or Electric Universe by Octopus Energy, two reliable and widely available charging networks. To use these networks, hirers simply need to swipe their provided RFID card at any charging station. Any used kWh over the daily credit will be billed to the hirer at the end of their hire period. This allows our customers to have peace of mind and enjoy their electric camper hire. No need to be worrying about running out of charge or accessing stations.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between kW and kWh is essential for electric vehicle owners. A kW is a unit of power that measures the rate at which energy is being used or generated. While kWh is a unit of energy that measures the amount of energy used or generated over a period of time. When charging an EV, the rate at which the car charges is measured in kW. Meanwhile the cost of the charge is measured in kWh. Public chargers use kWh when billing for the use of their service, and the cost per kWh can vary depending on the location and charging station. By understanding how kW and kWh relate to EVs, you can make informed decisions about charging.
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