Charging an Electric Vehicle and What You Need to Know

So you’ve decided to purchase an electric vehicle. You’re satisfied that the range will work for you, and you’re looking forward to saving money and the environment. But how do you charge it? And how do you tell if what you’re plugging into is going to work or not? This video will walk you through all the major things you need to know, from figuring out what plugs you can use to how long it’ll take each level of charging to get you topped up.

Level 1 – Home outlets

Most people will start with the factory level 1 charger, which comes standard with most vehicles. Whether you have a Tesla or a Chevrolet or Kia, this level 1 charger plugs into any standard 110V power outlet in your home. The charge times won’t be the fastest, but it is the most convenient way to keep your battery charged.

Level 2 – More Power!

Level 2 chargers are often hardwired or plugged into 240V outlets. These are typically the same style like those you see on your kitchen stove or dryer in the laundry room. These provided significantly more current than your typical household outlets, providing a much faster charge. Again, your ‘mileage’ will vary as the battery’s size, and the maximum current supplied will dictate your charging times.

Level 3 aka Superchargers or Fast Chargers

Finally, Level 3 chargers are the fastest and can take most vehicles up to 80% charge in around an hour. In the case of Tesla superchargers, this can be even faster but does require a visit to specific charging stations in your area. On the other hand, DC Fast Chargers are operated by multiple networks, including BC Hydro, Chargepoint, Electrify Canada, FLO, and even Petro Canada.

The landscape of electric charging for electric vehicles is changing every day. Availability of faster charging and proximity is starting to make electric mobility practical for more people, not just your favourite tech nerds at GetConnected.

Do you own an electric vehicle? How is the charging infrastructure where you live? Share your experiences in the comments below!