Fully electric powertrains may or may not be the future of the global automotive industry, but if it is, Tekamo Power is prepared to meet the challenge of installing advanced and affordable electric vehicle charging stations for residential and commercial customers across Canada. At Tekamo Power, we are committed to working with customers one-on-one to understand their needs and provide the right electric vehicle service equipment at home, a place of business, or elsewhere as required. Knowledge, experience, and cost-effective products and solutions are the winning combination you have been looking for to guarantee your satisfaction from sales to installation and beyond.
What is an Electric Vehicle?
The two most widespread types of electric vehicle are battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). A third, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are not as widely available.
BEVs are powered solely by a battery and electric drive train; they are charged by plugging them into an external source to power the battery. PHEVs are slightly different, as they use not only a battery and external charging source, but also feature an internal combustion engine (traditional petrol or diesel) in case the battery is out of electricity. Tekamo Power offers solutions to meet either charging need.
Charging Your Electric Vehicle
By driving an electric vehicle, you will make fewer trips to a traditional service station, if at all. But this trend comes with risks, as the number of electric vehicle charging stations is fewer than other options. If you own or lease an electric vehicle, Tekamo Power can install and service one of three types of charging stations: Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.
Level 1 has the advantage of using a standard household outlet of 110 volts and 15 amps to charge your vehicle but achieving a full charge may take eight to 20 hours depending on how low the battery is to begin with.
Level 2 charging stations use a 240-volt system – yes, the kind of outlet your clothes dryer plugs into – which can take a battery from zero percent charge to full in four to six hours. Consumers who own a Level 2 charger may be eligible for a rebate from your province, so it is advisable to check before the end of the year.
Tekamo also installs and services Level 3 charging stations, which are more advanced and also known as Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC). As the name implies, they are fast – able to charge a battery from zero to 80 percent in 30 minutes thanks to a high-power 480-volt system.<
Depending on your need, each type of charging station has advantages over the other. If you can park your vehicle near a standard 110-volt system and charge it overnight, then Level 1 may be the way to go. If you have access to a spare 240-volt outlet, then by all means, select a Level 2 system. If you demand a near-full charge in a short amount of time, choose a DCFC charging station.