2 weeks Ago By Simon Webster
With its 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery, the Toyota bZ4X can comfortably take you on trips short and long. But how exactly do you charge it? You might need to do a bit of planning if you’re going on longer trips – but the joy of driving coupled with the long-term benefits of a BEV easily outweighs that.
Credit: Toyota If you’re a newbie to the world of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the whole charging process can be a bit of an unknown. But the bZ4X – Toyota’s first BEV – makes it all quick and easy, and puts all the information you need at your fingertips. Here’s a rundown of the different charging options that can get you powered up and going places.
DC 150kW fast charging (Mode 4) The fastest charging options are the ultra-fast public DC chargers (1) that you’ll find in locations such as shopping centres and service stations. Using a DC charger, the bZ4X can charge at up to 150kW. DC chargers usually have their own cables attached.
All you have to do is show up, plug in, and charge your bZ4X via the charge provider’s app. On a 150kW DC charger you can charge your bZ4X from 10-80 per cent in about 45 minutes (1) – just enough time to do the shopping or grab a bite to eat. While this is the fastest method, it is also the costliest; 150kW DC chargers typically charge 50-70c per kWh (or $35-$50 for a full battery charge).
AC charging (Mode 3) AC chargers are slower than DC chargers, but still really useful. You’ll find plenty of public AC charging stations at locations from car parks to highway rest stops, and you can also have a dedicated AC wall charger installed at your home by a licensed electrician. Toyota has partnered with JetCharge to offer convenient home charging solutions (additional costs apply).
Visit your local Toyota dealership or JetCharge website to learn more about installation options and incentives. An AC charger can charge your bZ4X battery from 10-100 per cent in about 10 hours using 7kW single-phase charging (1), or about 7 hours if the charger uses 11kW three-phase charging (1). Some public AC chargers require you to provide your own cable.
A mode 3 cable comes with the bZ4X – just keep it in the car for whenever you need it. You’ll find that some public AC chargers are free, while others cost up to 40c per kWh. At home, you’ll pay whatever your electricity tariff is – or, if you have enough solar panels, you can harness the energy of the sun to power your ride.
Household power point charging (Mode 2) You can also charge your bZ4X by plugging in to a standard Australian power point. A mode 2 cable, which allows you to do this, comes with bZ4X. Again, it can be handy to keep this in your car.
Charge time from 10-100 per cent using a standard power point is about 30 hours (1). This may sound slow, but it can suit many people. An overnight charge via your standard power point at home may be more than enough to cover your daily needs (generally for short trips).
As with a home AC charger, the cost of charging this way will depend on your electricity tariff. Info at your fingertips You can find public chargers and plan your journey using the myToyota Connect app (2). The app also provides updates on your battery status and range in real time, and set up charging times in the car and view the status in the app, to take advantage of off-peak power periods, or times when your solar panels are producing power.
As a bZ4X owner, you may find you use a combination of all three charging methods, depending on where you are and where you need to get to. Credit: Toyota The app allows you to remotely control the car’s internal climate, and even locate your last parked location. Remote features in the Toyota Connect+ package are complimentary for the first year for new bZ4X owners; after that, some features require a paid subscription (2).
You can also charge your bZ4X by plugging in to a standard Australian power point. Credit: Toyota As a bZ4X owner, you may find you use a combination of all three charging methods, depending on where you are and where you need to get to. Once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s all pretty straightforward.
You might just need to do a bit of planning if you’re going on longer trips – and the joy of driving coupled with the long-term benefits of a BEV easily outweighs that. Test drive the bZ4X today. 1.
Charging times are indicative and may vary based on charger type and other factors including environmental, vehicle & charging conditions. Frequent use of DC fast charging can impact battery performance & durability. See toyota.
com.au/electrified/battery-electric-vehicles/charging-your-bev for more information. 2.
Fees and limitations apply. See toyota.com.
au/mytoyota-home/connect-overview for full T&Cs..
