You’ve probably seen lots of electric car charging stations lately—or noticed them listed on Google Maps with the electric car charging stations’ cost for Painesville drivers. Regardless of where you are, more continue to pop up daily. This has probably, at least once, started the question: How do electric car charging stations work?
Even if you haven’t considered purchasing an EV, learning the specifics of new technology is fascinating—and might just potentially sway you to make the transition to electric. In this article, you’ll learn about electric car charging station costs, and other important terms and information regarding electric vehicles.
How do electric car charging stations work? The first, and most important step, is learning which type of station you’re using. Three types of EV charging models exist—two of which you’ll find at your local gas station.
Level 1 is normally only found in the homes of EV drivers and plugged into standard outlets, providing a few miles of charging power for each hour of charging. If you own an EV in Painesville or Willoughby and use a Level 1 charger, anticipate around a 24-hour wait for a full charge.
Charging stations available at public gas stations and other locations work much faster than Level 1. Level 2, the slower of the public stations, produces a full charge overnight. If you’re just looking to top off a partially spent battery, you can get between 60 and 120 miles of range in about 45 minutes.
The ideal public charger is the Level 3 DC Rapid Charger. If you need a full charge quickly while you’re on a long road trip or out running errands, this is the best option. In about 45 minutes, you can add 200-300 miles of range to your battery. Usually, these charging stations are located at grocery stores and fast food restaurants, so they’re easily accessible while you’re out doing other things.
Depending on what type of EV you purchase, there are several different charging ports you could end up using. The ports are based on the specific model and whether you use a Level 2 or 3 charging station.
Level 2 car chargers are identical, assuming your EV was manufactured after the year 2000. They’re all equipped with J1772 ports. Level 3 is equipped with a different configuration. If you own a Tesla, you’ll have a unique charging port that differs from any other brand. If you own other makes, you’ll have either a CCS (combined charging system, also known as SAE Combo) or the CHAdeMO plug. Most Level 3 chargers are fashioned to pair with the two most common types, while a Tesla requires you to find a specific Tesla charging station.
If you’re wondering about the electric car charging station costs, there are a few important tips you should be aware of. Remember that it always costs less to charge at home. All you pay for is the kilowatt-hours billed from your energy company. This is cheaper than filling up at a charging station 99% of the time.
However, some charging stations provide free energy for certain models. These offers are only live for a short period, and not for the life of your vehicle. There is usually an app that’s accessible with your vehicle that maps these charging stations for you.
If you’re out and about, you’ll want to be mindful of the difference in cost between Levels 2 and 3. Level 2 costs less—usually between $15 and $25 to charge the average EV. Level 3 is slightly higher, generally falling between $30 and $45 for a full charge in Eastlake. These prices depend on the average daily demand, so prices are subject to increase during peak times.
One thing that causes reservations regarding EVs is the question of road trips. How do you charge your vehicle when you hit the open road? Luckily, as we discussed earlier, there are plenty of new Level 3 charging stations available, with more being deployed daily. The only change that will take place during your road trip is that your meal and fuel stops will be slightly longer while you wait for your car to charge.
Now that you’re aware of how electric car charging stations work, you’re a step closer to being a professional EV owner! If you’re interested in taking your knowledge to the next level, discover how often you should change your EV battery. For more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our team.
