Are you considering a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle? Maybe you just drove home in your new Nissan Leaf or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Either way, you might be wondering how you’ll charge your electric vehicle at home. At Carnamic, we want to take all the guesswork out of EV ownership, so we’ve created this simple guide to charging your new electric vehicle.
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Level 1 Charging
All electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are compatible with a standard 120-volt home outlet. In EV terms, that’s a Level 1 charge. It’s the most basic method of charging since it doesn’t require a special outlet or charging station, but it does have a downside. Level 1 charging is the slowest EV charging method because it uses the least amount of power. That might not be a problem if you drive a PHEV with a smaller battery, but it could pose a problem with fully-electric vehicles. Most new electric vehicles will come with a charging cable compatible with your wall outlet.
Level 2 Charging
The most ideal situation for home charging is at Level 2, or 240 volts. Most homes and garages aren’t equipped with a 240-volt outlet, however, and will require special installation. It’s recommended to consult an electrician or specialized EV home charging provider to assess your home’s power capacity to ensure it can handle the extra power output. Once your Level 2 charger is installed, you can expect much faster charging. How fast your EV charges depends entirely on the vehicle, but you can typically expect a nearly-full to full charge overnight.
How to Charge Your EV on the Road
Of course, there will always be situations when you’ll need to charge your vehicle while you’re on the go. California alone has over 14,000 public charging stations where you can power your EV on the road with more being installed every day. There are thousands of public charging stations around the country that utilize DC fast charging, allowing you to power up your vehicle even faster than you could at home. Many are located near supermarkets, shopping, or restaurants to ease wait times as you charge your EV to hit the open road.
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Available in the Bay Area
If you’re ready to go electric, you can shop the new and used EV inventory at Carnamic! We have a wide selection of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles for sale in the Bay Area. Contact our team for advice and assistance to find the EV that’s right for you!
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