TABLE OF CONTENTS The charging and recharging of electric vehicle batteries is a critical part of the energy cycle in an electric vehicle. Although less attention is usually paid to charging than to the vehicle batteries and the electric motors that they drive, the availability of efficient, and where appropriate fast, recharging of batteries is a vital factor in deciding whether a particular electric vehicle is of practical use for regular transportation.
Most electric cars will undoubtedly be charged at home from the domestic power supply, and if the vehicle is used for the short urban journeys usually envisaged for electric cars, this slow, eight-hour charge overnight from a conventional power point providing 3 4 kW is probably adequate. However, if electric cars are ever to widely replace those using the internal combustion engine, then much faster and more convenient methods of charging will also be required. This chapter will describe both basic and more sophisticated charging methods, their usage with different battery types and their implications for the infrastructure. The requirements for recharging energy storage systems other than those using chemical batteries will also be described.
In the early years of the 20th century when the battle for supremacy between the electric car and the internal combustion engined car was at its height (see Chapter 2), charging systems were simple in design and construction. Where an AC supply was available a transformer was used to provide a voltage suitable for the battery in use usually lead-acid or nickel-iron ...
