{"id":47949,"date":"2024-02-14T00:02:17","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T08:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hellotech.com\/blog\/?p=47949"},"modified":"2024-03-25T15:22:23","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T22:22:23","slug":"ev-charging-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hellotech.com\/blog\/ev-charging-guide","title":{"rendered":"EV Charging Guide: Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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\u2019re thinking of getting an EV or you recently made the upgrade, it\u2019s 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\u2019ll be prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Benefits of EV Charging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019ll never have to worry about your batteries dying again.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 EV Chargers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More: Level 1 vs level 2 EV charging<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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(Data Source: US Department of Transportation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Level 1 EV Charger Guide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t need to install anything extra, but you will need a special cable to connect your EV to a wall outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t plan on using a level 1 charger every night, it\u2019s a good idea to keep one in the car in case of emergencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Electric,Vehicle,On,Charging,At,Roofed,Car,Park\"<\/span><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> also show that EV batteries charge 36% slower when it\u2019s 32 degrees compared to 77 degrees. So, you might want to upgrade to a level 2 charger if you live in a cold area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Level 2 EV Charger Guide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More: How to choose the right EV charger<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You should consider installing a level 2 charger in your home if you drive your electric car daily and you want to save money on gas. If you want to save even more money, installing solar panels on your roof can cut your energy costs and possibly keep your EV charged for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Level 3 EV Charger Guide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Direct current is much more dangerous than alternating current, and it requires a certain infrastructure. So, it\u2019s not realistic for most people to install a level 3 EV charging station in their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n

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How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that electric vehicles usually reduce charging speed or stop charging altogether at around 80% in order to increase the life of your batteries. While you can charge your car to 100%, it\u2019s usually not advised unless you are taking a long trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More: How long does it take to charge an electric car?<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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(Image Source: Tesla<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Types of EV Connectors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s important to note that most automakers will switch to Tesla\u2019s NACS ports for all electric cars made for US markets starting in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAE J1772<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The SAE J1772 plug is currently the standard connector used for almost all level 1 and level 2 chargers in North America, unless you have a Tesla. Also known as a \u201cJ plug\u201d or \u201cType 1,\u201d you can identify the SAE J1772 by its five pins arranged in a circle. This connector is rated for everything from 1.4 kW to 19.2 kW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>. Thankfully, Tesla includes this adapter when you buy a new car, but you can also purchase it separately.<\/p>\n\n\n

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If your electric vehicle has an SAE J1772 port, you can use a CSS connector or an adapter for level 3 fast chargers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CCS Connector<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The CCS (Combined Charging System) plug is currently the standard connector for level 3 chargers in the US, except for Tesla. These plugs combine the same 5-pin array from the J1772 at the top with an additional two pins on the bottom that provide DC fast charging speeds up to 350kW.<\/p>\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla (NACS) Connector<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In 2022, Tesla opened<\/a> 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<\/a> 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n