Electric Vehicle Charging 101
Understanding plug types and EV charging
EV Charging Basics
Level 1
When you purchase an EV it will be accompanied by an EV charger that can be used on any household 120-volt outlet.
Level 1 charging can add between 30-40 miles of range over 10 hours of charging.
Level 2
Level 2 charging is available in public areas where cars are parked for long periods of time like workplaces or retail spaces. This kind of equipment is also available for charging at home through suppliers like TurnOnGreen.
A level 2 charger can add between 30-40 miles of range per hour of charging.
DCFC (Level 3)
Direct current fast chargers rely on powerful infrastructure that supplies power straight to the electric vehicle. Level 1 and 2 chargers require power conversions to charge an EV, and DCFCs do not.
DC fast chargers can add significant mileage to an EV per every minute charged.
Overview
The table below gives estimates on charging times and range added to a fully electric vehicle per hour of charging. EV batteries come in different sizes and the information below is intended for general information purposes.
| Attribute/Type | Level 1 | Level 2 | DCFC |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Connector Type |
SAE J1772 |
SAE J1772 |
CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla |
|
Power Output |
1kW |
7-19kW |
50-350kW |
|
Charging Time (est) |
40-50 hours |
4-10 hours |
20 min - 1 hour |
|
Range Per Hour (est) |
2-5 miles/hr |
10-30 miles/hr |
180-240 miles/hr |
|
Locations |
Home |
Home, Work, Public |
Public |
Learn more about EV batteries.
EV Charging Connectors
Early electric vehicle models were not equipped with fast charging plugs. Double-check your vehicle to see if you can utilize fast charging ports. The three types of DC fast charging ports are CHAdeMO, CCS, and Tesla.
To ensure the best charging experience, you will need to understand EV charging ports.
SAE J1772
Level 2
The SAE J1772 type charger is a level 2 charge that accommodates up to 240 volts. Level 2 chargers tend to charge EVs over a few hours, and are often found in workplaces or areas where time is spent.
CHAdeMO
DC Fast Charger
Designed in Japan, CHAdeMO is found on most electric Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi vehicles.
CHAdeMO stands for “Charge de Move” and is a DCFC type plug.
CCS
DC Fast Charger
Quickly becoming the standard in high-speed EV charging, Combined Charging System (CCS) is used by vehicle manufacturers around the world.
Tesla
DC Fast Charger
Exclusively found on Tesla vehicles and chargers, the Tesla Fast Charging port can charge other electric vehicles with adapters purchased separately.
Cost of Charging Your EV
Costs vary based on the size of your EVs battery, the time of day, and the EV charging service provider. Charging at home overnight is encouraged by utility providers, and is often the most affordable. Keep in mind, the costs of recharging your EV will be significantly less than fueling a gas powered vehicle.
Charging at Home
On average electricity costs $.18 per kWh in California. An EV with a battery size of 40kWh (150 miles of range) would cost $7 to completely charge at home. Remember, home EV chargers can charge an EV completely overnight at best.
Public EV charging
Using public EVs to re-power your battery can cost between $.30-$40 per kWh. Sites hosting EV chargers can offer Level 2 or DCFCs on their property.
An EV with an 40kWh battery can clear a charge from 20% to 80% under an hour with a DCFC and pay $16.00.
Public Charging with TurnOnGreen
Download the TurnOnGreen App to see where EV charging is available near you.
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