![]() However, there are factors that can slow things down, such as the electricity infrastructure where you’re charging along, the number of other vehicles being charged in close proximity, your current battery level and the car itself. Chargers are, generally speaking, getting faster and more efficient. However, a deep breath and quick examination of the connector head and port is all that’s needed to check one will mate happily with the other.Īssuming you’ve got that figured out, the next thing is the speed factor. If you’re new to charging, or just in a state of minor panic due to a battery that’s nearly empty, it can be easy to overlook this point. The best thing about charging connectors and their respective ports is that they only fit if they’re compatible with each other. It’s not so much which charger is best, as much as what will be compatible with your EV. Longer journeys, or beefy road trips, require careful planning using an app and any available in-car tech so you do at least have a fallback charging option if the location of choice is out of commission. ![]() Short hops around town are no biggie as you should be able to find at least one location where you can top up as needed. That’s why EV ownership, or rental for that matter, involves a little more thought and, ideally, a plan of action. Worst of all though, it might not be working at all. It might be in use or, annoyingly, blocked by another non-electric vehicle. When it doesn’t, well, you could find you’re greeted by an incompatible charger though more likely it won’t work as expected. When it works, using tech to find a suitable charger is one of the easiest ways to charge an EV. Of course, what you find when you arrive at the location of the charger doesn’t always match that of the description you’ve been getting during the journey. In some cases, if you use the built-in navigation system, the EV will automatically route you to a charging station if you’re likely to run out of power mid-trip. Each charging network has its own app that can guide you, while there are plenty of other options, like PlugShare or EVGo, that offer better support for multiple networks.Īlternatively, Google Maps has tools to help you search for nearby chargers, while your EV should have built-in features - often as part of the infotainment system - that can point your vehicle in the right direction. In fact, there are numerous apps that can help you find a suitable charger, check its compatibility with your vehicle, tell you the availability and detail plus any costs involved. Like everything else, there’s an app for that. The easiest part of the EV charging procedure is locating a compatible unit that can replenish your battery. Different chargers have different plugsĬHAdeMO EV charging cable (Image credit: Shutterstock) If you don’t have a Tesla but want to be up there with the big boys, then Level 3 charging is the one to head for - provided it’s available where you are, or where you’re headed. The 400 Volts to 900 Volts DC rapid charge and Supercharging options can deliver up to 20 miles per minute thanks to that direct current supply and higher voltage rating. Tesla owners get to enjoy this via the Supercharger network, while other makes and models don’t always get that luxury. Level 3 DC rapid charging is the most appealing in terms of speed and efficiency. EV chargers that offer Level 2 charging are becoming more commonplace, however, and can often be the ones to look for at locations like fast food outlets, shopping mall complexes and hotels. You might get up to 80 miles from an hour’s charge, though this could drop down to just over 10 in other cases. ![]() Level 2, which is 208 Volts to 240 Volts AC, is speedier and your options are greater, although there are still limitations. Overnight makes the most sense and lets you avoid the public charger scenario altogether. The bonus is if you don’t mind adding a miserly 3 to 5 miles of range per hour is that it allows you to plug in and charge at home without having to install any specialist charging equipment. Level 1, 120 Volt AC charging is the ‘entry-level’ option, and much slower as a result. The good news on that front is the car will be able to figure this out for you, so you won’t inadvertently fry your battery when you plug in. Which one you can use depends on the type of EV you want to charge and its ability to accept the power supply. The higher the number, the more powerful (and faster) the charging should be. You also get different levels of charging: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. EV ports and the chargers that connect to Non-Tesla vehicles come in several variants across the U.S.
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