Final answer:
At a commercial quick charge station, a fully depleted battery of a 2023 LEAF SV PLUS can be charged much faster than with standard chargers. The fast-charging technology significantly reduces charging time but also increases the energy deposited as heat, affecting battery temperature and potentially its lifespan. Home charging options offer slower rates and are more practical for daily use rather than long trips.
Step-by-step explanation:
At a commercial quick charge station, a fully depleted battery of a 2023 LEAF SV PLUS can be charged significantly faster than using standard home or parking lot chargers. For example, if we consider a table of approximate charge times and effective speeds for charging a 100 kWh battery, fast-charge stations can offer power up to 250 kW, which makes for a much quicker charging experience. However, there are considerations such as the rise in temperature during such a rapid charge, which might affect the battery's lifetime. When making a long road trip at a steady speed of 100 km per hour, the need for recharging becomes a significant factor. If using the fastest charge rate, after traveling 400 km, a driver would spend approximately 10 hours charging the car at a commercial quick charge station for an average speed of merely 28 km/hr. Considering home and parking lot charging speeds of about 10 miles per hour or 16 km/hr, the difference in charging rate is substantial. For frequent and longer road trips, the viability of an electric vehicle largely depends on the availability of quick charging stations. The efficiency of charging (90% in some cases) also dictates how much excess energy is converted to heat, potentially rising the battery's temperature by 36-72°C. Thus, while advancements in charging technology are impressive, the physical limitations and infrastructure capabilities must still be considered. Another home charging option detailed in Table D.1 is a 220 V 40-Amp circuit, which can deliver approximately 20 miles of range per hour. While it's a practical solution for everyday use, it is nowhere near the speed of the specialized commercial quick charge stations.