How Do Electric Car Charging Stations Work?

More and more Darlington drivers are making the switch to electric vehicles — EVs like the Nissan Ariya and Leaf — because of their low fuel costs and smaller carbon footprint. But some are hesitant to make the switch because there’s a lot of new information to learn. How do electric car charging stations work? If you’re not sure what to expect, or you’re concerned about electric car charging station costs, Nissan of Florence has the answers you need.

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Types of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

In general, there are three levels of electric car charging stations, and they are:

• Level 1 — This is the slowest charging level, and the one drivers are least likely to use. It’s good in a pinch, though. All you need is your car’s charging cable and a three-prong 120V outlet. The downside of this method is that it’s very slow. Depending on your car, it’ll likely take at least 24 hours to get close to a full charge.
• Level 2 — Most home charging stations and some public ones fall into this category. A level 2 charger will get your EV battery to full in 10-12 hours, making it a perfect option for overnight charging.
• Level 3 — This method is also called DC Fast Charging. You’ll find these speedy chargers in public places like shopping centers are parks. They can take an EV battery from ten percent to 80 percent in around 30 minutes. Often these electric car charging stations cost money, but the price is still considerably lower than an equivalent amount of gasoline.

Types of Electric Car Charging Ports

While many EVs in Sumter have the same type of charging port there are still a couple of variations. The most notable one is the Tesla charging port. Will a Tesla charger work on another make of EV? It depends on the make, but Nissan EVs are compatible with Tesla public charging stations.

Level 2 chargers are all the same if your EV was made after model year 2000. They all have J1772 charging ports.

Level 3 chargers have either the CCS (combined charging system, also known as SAE Combo or just Combo) or CHAdeMO plug. Both types work with all EV brands except Tesla.

Electric Car Charging Station Cost

One of the main reasons most EV drivers choose home charging stations, after convenience, is because of the public electric car charging station costs. Electric car charging station costs vary based on the company that owns the charging station. While some generous companies offer free charging, others will have you pay before you charge, or pay for a monthly subscription for their services. Level 2 public charging can cost between $15-20 for the average full charge. Level 3 can cost from $30-40.

Electric Car Chargers and Road Trips

Now you know where to charge your electric car in Florence, but what about longer road trips? While the electric car charging infrastructure is still in its infancy, it’s expected to grow exponentially in the next few years. The NissanConnect® Route Planner allows you to input your route and get information about EV chargers along the way so you can plan your charging stops.

Find Your New EV at Nissan of Florence

Knowing how electric car charging stations work can make it much less daunting to make the switch to an EV in Dillon. If you’d like more information about the EV life, Nissan of Florence can help! Contact us with your questions, or visit our EV information hub where we have answers to the most frequently asked questions we get about EVs.