Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids are becoming more and more popular, but the infrastructure for EV chargers is still being built. If you're thinking of getting an EV or you recently made the upgrade, it's important to know where to charge your car, how much it costs, which plugs and adapt Contact online >>
Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids are becoming more and more popular, but the infrastructure for EV chargers is still being built. If you''re thinking of getting an EV or you recently made the upgrade, it''s important to know where to charge your car, how much it costs, which plugs and adapters you need to use, and more. In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about charging your EV at home and on the road, so you''ll be prepared.
The growth of electric vehicles comes with a lot of benefits. It will help the environment by lowering carbon emissions. With rising gas prices, charging an electric car is now much cheaper than filling up at the pump. Plus, with an EV charger in your home, you''ll never have to worry about your batteries dying again.
There are three levels of EV charging, each of which delivers different amounts of power. Level 1 chargers are too slow for most owners, but level 2 chargers can fill up your batteries overnight, making them perfect for installing at home. Level 3 chargers are the fastest, but they are only found in public charging stations.
Read More: Level 1 vs level 2 EV charging
Level 1 chargers are just regular electrical outlets that you can find on the walls. These plugs carry 120V (Volts), making them the slowest way to charge your electric car. You won''t need to install anything extra, but you will need a special cable to connect your EV to a wall outlet.
Many electric vehicles will come with a level 1 charging cable for free, or you can always buy one for around $200. Even if you don''t plan on using a level 1 charger every night, it''s a good idea to keep one in the car in case of emergencies.
Although level 1 chargers are the cheapest and easiest solutions, they only give you enough power to drive up to 30-40 miles a day. Studies also show that EV batteries charge 36% slower when it''s 32 degrees compared to 77 degrees. So, you might want to upgrade to a level 2 charger if you live in a cold area.
Level 2 chargers carry up to 240V, which means they can fill up your batteries around eight times faster than a level 1 charger. You can typically find level 2 chargers in offices and public charging stations, but you can also install a level 2 charger in your home to keep your EV charged overnight.
Most states require an electrical permit and inspections to install a level 2 charger in your home, and you might need to hire a certified electrician to install it for you. There are two different types of EV chargers you can install in your home: a hardwired charging station or a special 240V outlet.
Read More: How to choose the right EV charger
Level 3 chargers are usually only found in public places, like Tesla Superchargers or other charging stations. Unlike level 1 and 2 chargers, which use AC (alternating current), level 3 chargers use DC (direct current). This allows them to charge your electric vehicle in as little as 20 minutes.
Direct current is much more dangerous than alternating current, and it requires a certain infrastructure. So, it''s not realistic for most people to install a level 3 EV charging station in their homes.
It can take up to several days to fully charge an EV with a level 1 charger, while it will only take around 10 hours with a level 2 charger. With a level 3 charger, you can fill up your electric car in less than an hour, according to data from the US Department of Transportation.
However, there are many other factors that go into how long it takes to charge your electric vehicle, including the size of your battery, the temperature, the state of your battery, how much charge it already has, the current electrical demand in your area, and more.
Many electric vehicles will come with a companion smartphone app, which usually lets you see how fast your car is charging, create charging schedules to save electricity, and more.
Read More: How long does it take to charge an electric car?
Currently, most electric cars use SAE J1772 connectors for level 1 and level 2 chargers. For level 3 chargers, most EVs use a CSS connector. The major exception is Tesla, which uses NACS connectors and adapters. Some Japanese manufacturers also use the CHAdeMO plug for EVs in the US.
However, it''s important to note that most automakers will switch to Tesla''s NACS ports for all electric cars made for US markets starting in 2025.
If you have a Tesla, it will use a different connector, but you can still use most level 1 or level 2 chargers with a NACS to SAE J1772 adapter. Thankfully, Tesla includes this adapter when you buy a new car, but you can also purchase it separately.
If your electric vehicle has an SAE J1772 port, you can use a CSS connector or an adapter for level 3 fast chargers.
As of 2024, almost all newly manufactured electric vehicles made for the US will have a CCS charging port, but many automakers will make the switch to NACS by 2025.
Since Tesla was one of the first electric vehicle manufacturers, they designed their own EV charging plug. The NACS (North American Charging Standard) can be used for both AC and DC charging and provides up to 250kW of power. However, you will need to use adapters when connecting to non-Tesla EV chargers.
In 2022, Tesla opened the design for NACS to the public, and now other automakers are allowed to add the charging port to their electric vehicles. Since Tesla already owns 60% of DC fast charging EV stations in the US, many automakers have agreed to add the NACS charging port to all new electric cars starting in 2025, including:
Many other manufacturers will also provide existing EV owners with plug adapters and software updates to make their cars compatible with Tesla Superchargers before the switch occurs in 2025.
It''s also important to know there are several different types of electrical outlets you can use for level 2 chargers. So, make sure to check exactly which 240V NEMA outlet you have before installing a level 2 charger.
Charging an electric vehicle costs the average American nearly $60 a month, according to the Department of Energy, assuming you drive around 1,000 miles and your EV gets 3 miles per kWh. To compare, the average American now spends $150-$200 a month at the gas pump, according to JD Power.
Electricity prices can change dramatically depending on demand in your area and infrastructure issues that occur, especially during weather events. To save money, you should avoid charging your electric vehicle during peak hours, so it''s best to plug your car in overnight, when demand is at its lowest.
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