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How Do Electric Vehicle Chargers Work?

In the past, people dreamed of electric cars that could run without any traditional fossil fuels. Recently this dream has become a reality, and electric cars have hit the mainstream. Cost effective and energy efficient, there are definite benefits to owning an electric car over a traditional car that runs on expensive fuel sources.

Car manufacturers recently investing money into developing attractive exteriors has also made more and more people want to get their hands on these vehicles of the future.

Are charging stations for electric cars free?

While gas stations have been a fixture of life for decades, the prevalence of electric cars has led to electric vehicle charging stations becoming commonplace in public areas. Similarly, anyone who owns an electric car also can own a personal electric vehicle charger so their car can be recharged at their convenience and within their own garage.

These incredible devices vary in style and power, but all provide users with a new, exciting, and money-saving way to get from one place to the next.

Take a look at the different types of Electric Vehicle Chargers and learn how they power a new generation of automobiles.


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Overview

Rather than having to drive to a gas station to fill up their tanks, electric vehicles require an electronic power source to recharge the internal power source. Although commercial or public charging stations are becoming more common, electric vehicle owners do a majority of their charging at home, meaning that having the most efficient and cost-effective personal Electric Vehicle Charger is key.

Often, the type of electric car you have will help determine which type of Electric Vehicle Charger is right for you. For example, fully electric vehicles will take longer than hybrid cars to charge because of their differing battery power and usage.

Do you pay for electric car charging stations?

Types of Charging Stations

Contrary to popular belief, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to charging an electric powered vehicle. Rather, there are three main levels of charging currently available, all which differ in power levels and efficiency. Each level has its own pros and cons when it comes to charging vehicles.

Level 1 Charging Stations

These basic, 120-volt chargers are exactly the same as a standard household outlet. While it may seem incredible, electric cars can, in fact, be plugged into and powered by the same type of sockets that fill your home and power all of your other personal electronic devices.

These chargers run on AC power and are incredibly convenient for personal use as many homeowners already have these outlets installed within their garage spaces. Because means that no additional equipment or installation is needed to supply an electric car with power, this type is incredibly cost effective.

With that said, this type of charging also has certain drawbacks. Primarily, it is the slowest and least powerful. This type of Electric Vehicle Charger provides vehicles with only two to five miles of range per hour, which can mean that fully electric cars can require a full 24-hour period (or more) for the battery to reach an entirely charged level.

For hybrid cars, however, this time can be reduced to as little as 12-hours, which is a more realistic amount of time for car owners. If your car can accommodate this type of charger, it can be a great option as you can charge the battery overnight and it will be ready to go in the morning.

Can you plug an electric car into a regular outlet?

Level 2 Charging Stations

Level 2 Charging Stations are the most common type of commercial charging stations. With that said, they can also be installed conveniently within your home by a professional electrician. Also running on AC power, residential units utilize a 240 Volt plug, which is the same as larger home appliances like a refrigerator or washing machine.

Commercial units, however, often use a 208 Volt plug. Nearly all electric and hybrid vehicles are able to charge efficiently at this level, which is why this type is the most popular.

While installation a Level 2 Charging Station for personal use may be slightly costlier and more complicated than a Level 1 Charging Station, their efficiency and higher level of power allows them to charge cars at a much faster rate. These stations charge at a rate of 10 to 60 miles of range per hour. This means that it can charge a fully electric car battery in as little as 2-hours, which is significantly faster and more convenient.

How does a electric car charge?

Level 3 Charging Stations

Level 3 Charging Stations are unique in the way that they utilize DC power and are used to charge fully electric cars only. Although incredibly efficient, this type of charging station is highly specialized and requires expensive equipment to maintain.

It’s for this reason that this type of station is utilized primarily in industrial or commercial settings. Not to mention, they can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to install, meaning they are often not an option for personal use.

The benefit of these specialized stations, however, is the incredible rate at which they charge the batteries in electric vehicles. They offer 60 to 100 miles of range per hour, meaning they can nearly completely charge a standard electric car battery in as little as 30-minutes.

While this is the preferred option when it comes to charging, not all models of electric cars are compatible with this charging the device. Depending on the manufacturer, this may not even be an option for many electric car owners. There is also some speculation that this type of charging can be detrimental to a vehicle’s rechargeable battery.

How much does it cost to install an electric vehicle charging station?

Related EV Charger Articles

Buying Guides
 • Best Home Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Info Articles
 • Level 1 vs. 2 vs. 3 EV Charging Stations
 • How Do Electric Vehicle Chargers Work?
 • What is a Level 2 Charger: Electric Vehicle Charger Guide

Conclusion

Because they do not require expensive gasoline and are easier on the environment than traditional vehicles, electric cars are becoming a popular investment for many consumers. With that said, becoming well versed in the types of electric vehicle chargers available is key when it comes to determining which is the best fit for your personal use.

While there are several types of charging stations available, they all have benefits and drawbacks, including charging time and installations expense. Luckily, the increasing popularity of public charging stations makes it easier than ever to switch to a partially or fully electric vehicle.

Our Recommended EV Chargers


Best of the Best!
Also Great
Budget Option
ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger,...
JuiceBox 40 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV)...
MUSTART Level 2 Portable EV Charger (240...
ChargePoint Home Flex
JuiceBox 40
MUSTART
• 16 to 50 Amp
• Level 2
• WiFi Enabled
• UL Listed
• NEMA 14-50
• Indoor/Outdoor
• 23ft Cable
• 32-40 amp
• Level 2
• WiFi Enabled
• UL Listed
• Indoor/Outdoor
• 25ft Cable
• 26-40 Amp
• Level 2
• NEMA 6-50P
• Indoor/Outdoor
• 25ft Cable
The Home Flex is Charge Point's newest, fastest and most advanced Level 2 home charger, charging up to 50 amps and adding up to 37 miles of driving range per hour of charging.
The JuiceBox 40 is one of the best-selling smart home electric vehicle chargers. Enjoyed by many satisfied EV drivers, JuiceBox delivers all the safety and smart charging features you need.
The MUSTART upgraded 40A level 2 EV charger is a sturdy, waterproof, abrasion resistance charger that can charge your car up to 2.5X faster than the 16A level 2 EV charger.
Best of the Best!
ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger,...
ChargePoint Home Flex
• 16 to 50 Amp
• Level 2
• WiFi Enabled
• UL Listed
• NEMA 14-50
• Indoor/Outdoor
• 23ft Cable
The Home Flex is Charge Point's newest, fastest and most advanced Level 2 home charger, charging up to 50 amps and adding up to 37 miles of driving range per hour of charging.
Also Great
JuiceBox 40 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV)...
JuiceBox 40
• 32-40 amp
• Level 2
• WiFi Enabled
• UL Listed
• Indoor/Outdoor
• 25ft Cable
The JuiceBox 40 is one of the best-selling smart home electric vehicle chargers. Enjoyed by many satisfied EV drivers, JuiceBox delivers all the safety and smart charging features you need.
Budget Option
MUSTART Level 2 Portable EV Charger (240...
MUSTART
• 26-40 Amp
• Level 2
• NEMA 6-50P
• Indoor/Outdoor
• 25ft Cable
The MUSTART upgraded 40A level 2 EV charger is a sturdy, waterproof, abrasion resistance charger that can charge your car up to 2.5X faster than the 16A level 2 EV charger.


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Last Update: 2024-03-29 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About the author

Hi I’m Alex, founder of HouseholdMe.com and I’d like to say thank you for dropping by. Like most of you, the first thing I look at before buying something online is reviews or buying guides. By reading what other people say will help me gauge whether or not a product is good or not.  I am trying to help people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired.

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