Southside Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat
If you’re thinking about switching from a gas-powered model to a fully electric vehicle, you might be wondering, “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” Charging an electric vehicle can take anywhere from an hour to several days. It all depends on the charging method you choose, along with your battery capacity. In this guide, we’ll go through the different types of EV charging: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
One of the best things about charging an electric car is the flexibility. You can charge at home in Innisfail or on the road in Sylvan Lake. However, different charging methods have different charging speeds. Let’s see how Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 chargers compare:
When you purchase a new EV, you’ll receive a Level 1 charging cable. You can simply plug the cable into any grounded outlet, so there’s no need to install anything. But, this is the slowest method of charging an electric vehicle. Level 1 chargers provide an estimated four miles of range per charging hour.
If you’re like most Sylvan Lake EV owners, you’ll eventually want to install a Level 2 (240V+) chargers in the home. This allows you to charge overnight, so you’ll be ready with a full battery every morning. Level 2 chargers provide an estimated 24 miles of range per charging hour.
Level 2 charging speeds are also found in public charging stations. They provide similar or higher charging speeds than level 2 home chargers, and you can find them all over the Red Deer area. Look for popular spots like major retailers, hotels, parking garages, and other public attractions.
If you’re crunched for time, Level 3 chargers are the quickest way to top off your battery. Because these 150 kW rapid chargers draw so much power, they are only found in public charging stations – often along highways and freeways. Level 3 chargers provide up to 60 to 100 miles of range per 20 minutes of charging.
While the information above covers electric vehicles, what about plug-in hybrid vehicles? Plug-in hybrids have a much smaller battery compared to a fully electric vehicle, which means that your charge times are reduced as well. In fact, most PHEVs only need 1 to 4 hours for a fully charged battery!
How long does it take to charge an electric car at a charging station versus a home station? Most home chargers provide 3.7 kW or 7 kW charging, while public stations range from around 22 kW to 150 kW. Home stations can generally charge your car fully between 4 to 11 hours, while a DC Fast Charger can give you a full charge in around an hour.
Now that you know all about charging an electric vehicle, are you interested in trying out a new EV at Southside Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat? We’d love to get you behind the wheel of models like the Fiat 500e or the Grand Cherokee 4xe, so stop by Red Deer at your leisure. Contact us with any questions in the meantime.
