Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging: The Basics

Charging your all-electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)–together known as plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs)–is similar to charging other electronics. One end of an electrical cord is plugged into your car, and the other end is plugged into a power source or charging equipment.

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There are three categories of charging equipment based on how quickly each can recharge a car’s battery. Charging times for PEVs are also affected by:

• How much the battery is depleted
• How much energy the battery can store
• The type of battery
• Temperature

Charger Fast Facts

Charging Options

Level 1 (120 Volt)
 

Level 2 (240 Volt)
 

Direct-Current (DC) Fast Charging
 

What does the charge port on the vehicle look like?

How fast do they charge?

About 5 miles per 1 hour of charging*

About 25 miles per 1 hour of charging*

~100 – 300+ miles per 30 minutes of charging†

Where can I find them?

• In your house/garage
• Possibly at your apartment/condo and workplace
• May not need to install anything; some automakers provide charger cords with vehicle purchase

• In your house/garage (You will need additional equipment)
• Possibly at your apartment/condo and workplace
• At public charging stations

• At public charging stations
• In many cities and along highway routes across the country (see locations)

EV charger images are courtesy of Con Edison.

Level 1 uses the same outlet you use for your cell and toaster. Worth noting:

• You can plug your car directly into the 120 Volt outlet using the charge cable (technically called the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment or EVSE) that often comes with the vehicle.
• Many people with commutes less than 40 miles a day find this sufficient to charge their PEV overnight and meet their daily driving needs.‡

Level 2 uses the same 240 Volt outlet you might use in your home for an electric oven or clothes dryer. Worth noting:

• It allows for faster home charging and can replenish hundreds of miles of range to your vehicle overnight, ensuring a full battery under most circumstances.
• If you do not already have a 240 Volt outlet in an ideal location for charging your vehicle, a qualified electrician can help you install a new outlet and a Level 2 charger. They can determine if your home has sufficient capacity or needs an upgraded electrical panel and will ensure work is done properly.

Direct-Current or DC fast chargers are the fastest option for charging PEVs and are found primarily along highways and in cities to enable long-distance trips and quick refueling when it’s needed. They work by supplying high levels of electricity more directly to your vehicle’s battery and bypassing the equipment in your vehicle that normally converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). Worth noting:

• Depending on your vehicle and the speed of the DC fast charger, many PEVs can regain hundreds of miles of range in as little as 20-30 minutes. However, if you have access to charging at home or at work using level 1 and 2 chargers, and have more time to charge, they will usually be cheaper than DC fast chargers.
• The rate of DC fast charging is higher as the vehicle’s battery is closer to empty and slows down as it gets closer to full. It will generally save you time to only DC fast charge your PEV to around 80% of its battery capacity, and then continue on the road to the next charging station. Unless you need the full range of your battery to reach a destination, DC fast charging beyond 80% tends to be significantly slower and it can sometimes double your time spent charging to reach 100%.

Visit the Department of Energy (DOE) website to learn more about charging equipment.

Interested in seeing how many chargers may be needed in your area? Use DOE’s EV Pro Lite Tool to get an estimate on charging needs in your state or metropolitan area as PEV adoption grows.

Visit EV Charging: The Details for answers to frequently asked questions.

Read the Recommendations of the Federal Electric Vehicle Working Group (pdf) (571 KB, November ), which include strategies for EV adoption across the U.S. and a sustainable, accessible, and resilient EV ecosystem.

*Power levels vary among charging equipment; L1 estimate of recharging time assumes 1.9 kW, L2 assumes 6.6 kW.

For more Ev Charging Solutionsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

†Charging time may be shorter depending on station power. More DC fast charging stations that charge cars quickly are being installed around the country.

‡PEVs should ideally charge on a dedicated circuit, or one without another electrical load. Consult with your electrician and the EVSE manual for detailed specifications.

One of the biggest concerns for electric vehicle (EV) owners is knowing when and how to charge their vehicle. It makes sense: The average American has spent their life driving around in gas-powered cars, filling up at one of the hundreds of thousands of gas stations as the gauge creeps towards empty. Charging one’s EV takes a little more planning, but with the growing demand and incentives for alternatives to gas-powered cars, Level 2 public EV charging stations are becoming a more common sight.

So whether you’re the owner of an EV or looking to add a public EV charging station to your commercial property, here are just a few things you should know about how an EV charger works.

What Is an EV Charger?

Both electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles require an EV charger to keep the battery full, just like any chargeable device or electronic. 

How Does EV Charging Work?

At its most basic, an EV charger pulls an electrical current from 240v power and delivers that electricity to the vehicle, just like any other appliance or device you charge by plugging into the wall.

Chargers Plug into Most EVs—And Adaptors Are Available

For the most part, a J plug is standard for EVs—that is, unless you have a Tesla or are trying to use a Tesla EV charging station. Think of it as a device charging cord: If you have a USB-C cord, but your device takes Mini-USB, the USB-C cord can’t be used to charge your device without an adaptor. 

Because Teslas use their own form of connector from the device to the vehicle, a Tesla charger cannot be used on a non-Tesla vehicle, and a non-Tesla charger cannot be used on a Tesla vehicle without an adaptor.

Adaptors do exist and can be purchased online, but it’s important for drivers to note what type of charger they’re parking in front of. Additionally, commercial entities that want to provide EV charging on their property or parking lots should take into consideration that buying only Tesla chargers will leave many EV drivers unable to use your services.

Setup Your Home Charging Solution

The Home 50 Amp Smart EV Charger comes with the necessary hardware to mount and install your new Level 2 charger inside your garage or outside your home.

Our EV home charging stations are small in size, simple to use, and feature fast, safe and efficient charging. They are a cost-effective and convenient option for keeping your EV powered and ready to go whenever you need it. Answer a few simple questions through our EV Charging Time tool to help determine the best amperage and charging speed to fit your needs as you decide how to install an EVSE at home.

How Do Public EV Charging Stations Work?

If you are parking in front of an EV charging station, there are a few things you’ll need to determine. For one, the station may be provided free of charge, may require a key FOB or other access device, or it may require credit card payment—similar to other parking situations such as only being allowed to park in a lot for free if you’re a customer, or you may need to pay a parking meter during specific times and on specific days. The device and posted notices should make it clear how to use the charging station.

For organizations looking to add public EV charging stations to their property, EvoCharge’s commercial charging solutions give you options when it comes to how others will use your charger. There are different charging station features that allow you to control output, charging times, control access via RFID, and even connect to a network for monitoring or accepting payments.

Plan With Public EV Charging Stations in Mind

Once you start to notice public EV charging stations, you’ll begin to incorporate them into your schedule, such as planning on running an errand last so you can utilize the chargers in their parking lot.

Commercial organizations will want to think about how charging can be incorporated into your business for customers or employees: Are your customers or visitors more likely to frequent your location if you offer a public EV charging station? Might they stay longer if they know they’re getting an extra charge every additional minute they spend in your establishment? Can your company become your clients’ go-to location to run errands if they know you have provided a public EV charging station? The importance is in knowing your customer and understanding how incorporating an EV charging station to your business can help provide a service.

EvoCharge provides solutions for both home and commercial operations for Level 2 AC and Level 3 DC fast charging. The chart provides the basis to how EV charging works and with each level. 

Level 1Level 2Level 3 Type of CurrentACACDC Voltage120V240V480V Connector TypeJJCCS1 Average Charge Time (from empty)*11-20 hours3-8 hours30-60 minutes UseSlowFast Fastest

* Average charge time and mile per hour charged is dependent on the individual car’s acceptance rate and power output of the charging station.

The company is the world’s best Type 2 Ev Charging Station supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.