The Ultimate Guide to EV Charging for New Drivers

Congratulations on your new (EV) electric vehicle! You’re making a great choice for the environment and your wallet. But before you can hit the road, you need to learn about EV charging.

Here’s a quick overview of the different types of EV chargers and how to use them:

Level 1 chargers: These are the slowest type of EV chargers. They plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and can add about 4-5 miles of range per hour of charging.
Level 2 chargers: These chargers plug into a 240-volt outlet and can add about 20-25 miles of range per hour of charging. They’re much faster than Level 1 chargers and are a good option for home charging.
DC fast chargers: These chargers are the fastest type of EV chargers. They can add about 80 miles of range in just 20 minutes of charging. They’re typically found at public charging stations.

Here are some tips for EV charging:

Plan your route. Before you go on a road trip, make sure to map out where the charging stations are along the way. You can use a website like PlugShare to find charging stations.
Charge at home. If you can, charge your EV at home overnight. This will give you a full charge for the next day.
Use public charging stations when you need to. Public charging stations are a good option for when you’re on the go and need to top up your battery.
Be patient. EV charging takes longer than gas-powered car refueling. Don’t expect to be able to charge your EV in a few minutes.

Here are some of the things that EV drivers want from charging networks:

Reliability: EV drivers want to be able to rely on charging stations being available when they need them.
Robust infrastructure: EV drivers want there to be a sufficient number of charging stations available, so they don’t have to drive long distances to find one.
Convenience: EV drivers want charging stations to be located in convenient places, such as near their homes, workplaces, and shopping centers.
Speed: EV drivers want charging stations to be fast, so they can get back on the road quickly.