Many of you hear about electric cars daily. I don't know how many of you also think about electric motorcycles. That's why we decided to lend you a helping hand and talk about the electric motorcycle charging possibilities. More precisely, we thought to provide you with valuable information on charging electric motorcycles, covering various aspects of the charging process, options, and technical details.
Whether you're a daily commuter looking to charge conveniently at home or an adventurer planning longer journeys, understanding the diverse charging options is essential. From overnight charging in the comfort of your garage to seeking out public charging stations during extended trips, this guide covers it all.
Here are the main points about charging an electric motorcycle, in our opinion!
Charging your electric motorcycle at home and work
For electric motorcycle enthusiasts in the USA and Europe, charging at home and work is a key aspect of daily convenience. In this case, we are making a comparison between the possibility of charging your electric motorcycle at home, located in the USA and Europe.
In the case of the United States, the standard electrical outlet provides 120 volts, making it the go-to option for Level 1 charging. While in Europe, the standard household electrical socket delivers 230 volts, aligning with Level 2 charging. This voltage difference influences the charging speed, providing a slightly faster charging experience compared to the USA's Level 1. Homeowners with a dedicated charging station at home can capitalize on this setup, further enhancing convenience and reducing charging times. Whether in a European garage or a dedicated charging space, the home charging scenario sets the stage for a positive electric motorcycle ownership experience.
What about workplace charging of your electric motorcycle?
Again, if we compare the USA with Europe, we observe that in both cases, workplaces with parking area outlets are increasingly becoming charging-friendly spaces. This is an encouraging development. Employers who provide charging infrastructure contribute to the practicality of electric motorcycles as daily commuters.
Longer Trips and Charging Stations for electric motorcycles
When you're contemplating an extended ride with your electric motorcycle, it can be challenging, and knowing the locations of charging stations is crucial. It's not as charging at home, where the process is very simple. Public charging spots play a significant role in longer rides, making electric motorcycles more practical for journeys outside the city.
Again, if we look at the USA and Europe, we can observe that the charging stations are placed strategically. They are generally found around big cities and important travel routes. This setup helps electric motorcycle riders in cities and makes it easier to travel between cities. There are many 'Level 2' and fast-charging stations, especially according to the European Alternative Fuels Observatory. This makes electric motorcycles great for city rides and also opens up options for longer trips.
At this moment, the majority of electric motorcycle users focus on city riding. A crucial role is played by the autonomy offered by these electric motorcycles. They are chosen because they are perfect for city rides since they are agile and eco-friendly and make less noise than conventional ones. The fact that charging stations are more common in cities supports this idea, making it easy for riders to move around the city and charge up when they need to.
Public charging stations for electric motorcycles
Finding a charging spot when you're out with your electric motorcycle is a big deal. In Europe, there are a bunch of them - 200,000 'Level 2' charging stations and 25,000 DC fast-charge stations, to be exact. These are like pit stops for your motorcycle to power up, and they're spread out to make sure you can find one when you need it.
What about apps to find charging stations for electric motorcycles?
For both the USA and Europe, there are apps that help you find charging stations. One example is PlugShare, where you can check which charging spots work with your motorcycle, see if they're available, and even find out if they're working. It's like a map for your motorcycle charging needs. These apps make planning longer rides simpler and help alleviate worries about how far you can go.
Charging Levels
When it comes to charging your electric motorcycle, it's good to know there are different levels. Think of it like different speeds for filling up your motorcycle's battery. If you don't already know, there are 3 levels of charging for your motorcycle, depending on the speed they offer.
⦁ Level 1: This is like the slowest speed. It uses a standard 120-volt outlet, the kind you'd find in most houses in the USA. It's not super fast, but it's handy for overnight charging. So, if you plug in your motorcycle when you get home, it'll be fully charged by the time you wake up in the morning.
⦁ Level 2: This is faster than Level 1. It uses a 240-volt outlet, the standard in European households. You can plug in your motorcycle overnight, and it'll be ready to roll by the time you're up. This level is common and works in most places where there's an AC socket.
⦁ Level 3 (DC Fast Charging): This is like the express lane for charging. It's super fast, with speeds from 50KW to 120KW. However, there's a catch, it's not as common because it's expensive to set up, and it can affect your motorcycle's battery life. Also, you might have to wait in line to use it. So, while it's super speedy, it's not always the best choice right now.
Connecting to charging options for your electric motorcycle
Alright, let's talk about how your electric motorcycle hooks up to charging points. It's like plugging in your phone, but a bit more interesting. In this case, to better understand, we've decided to divide this topic into four categories: connection basics, different connector protocols, plug types, and charging capacity.
Connection basics:
Your electric motorcycle connects to a charging point using a cable. This cable has connectors on both ends. One fits into your motorbike's inlet socket, and the other goes into the charger outlet socket. It's like a high-tech extension cord for your bike.
Different Connector Protocols:
Now, here's where it gets a bit technical. There are different ways your motorcycle can plug in, and these are called connector protocols. Think of them as different types of plugs.
Plug Types:
There are two types of plugs. The Standard Household AC Plug is a simple plug you might find in any regular household. It can give your motorcycle a power boost of up to 3KW (or 13 amps). It's like your everyday plug, handy for slower charging, especially overnight. On the other hand, the European Type 2 Plug is like a higher-capacity plug, offering faster charging speeds of up to 43KW. This is useful for quicker top-ups, especially if you're in a hurry.
Charging Capacity:
The actual limit of how fast your motorcycle charges depends on your charger's capacity. Even a modest charger with 0.7KW power can get your motorcycle from 0% to 100% in about 10 hours. The cool thing about slower charging is that it's better for your battery's lifespan.
Battery life of your electric motorcycle and charging
Now, let's talk about how charging habits can affect the battery life of your electric motorcycle. It's a bit like taking care of a plant and how you water it is important.
Slow Charging and Battery Longevity:
We recommend a slow and steady approach to charging, especially overnight. It's like giving your electric motorcycle a good night's sleep to wake up fully charged and ready to go. Slow charging is typically done using a standard household outlet or a modest onboard charger.
Benefits of Overnight Charging:
Even with a simple onboard charger that doesn't pack a lot of power (like 0.7KW), we think it's more than enough for overnight charging. This gentle and gradual charging process of your electric motorcycle is like the plant getting just the right amount of water over a long period. It's not in a hurry, and that's good for the battery.
Impact on Battery Lifes:
The cool thing about slow charging is that it's considered the best way to take care of your battery. Is just like giving too much water or too quickly might not be great for a plant, fast charging can generate heat, which isn't the best for your motorcycle's battery life.
Understanding this relationship between charging speed and battery health helps you make choices that benefit the long-term well-being of your electric motorcycle.
Charging your electric motorcycle is incredibly important, from home charging to the open road. This article, inspired by insights from the devs page, navigates the charging landscape. We invite you to share your tips and experiences on social media. Let's ride the electric wave together!