How Do Electric Car Charging Stations Work?

There are many perks of driving an EV. It’s no wonder so many Pittsford and Webster drivers are making the switch to vehicles like the new Volkswagen ID.4. But when it comes to charging EVs, what is involved? That’s what many EV shoppers have been asking us here at Ide VW of East Rochester. With that said, we’re here to provide you with the answers you seek! So, how exactly do electric car charging stations work, and what’s the cost to use them? Let’s dive into both questions now!

What Kind of Electric Car Charging Stations Exist?

How do electric car charging stations work? Before learning the answer that question, you’ll need to know a bit more background; namely, EV charging stations come in different “levels”. There are three main “levels” or types of electric car charging, two of which you’ll find at home, and one of which is generally used in public:

1. Level 1 Charging: This method is used exclusively found at home. How does it work? You plug your EV into a regular three-prong grounded outlet, and it offers a charging rate of few miles of charge for each hour of charging. For most electric vehicles available in Fairport, expect to spend more than 24 hours to go from a 0-100% charge. For this reason, it’s best used as a topping-off solution.
2. Level 2 Charging: This option will generally offer you a full charge overnight. It’s commonly used in-home for faster charging, but can also be found in public sometimes.
3. Level 3 DC Fast Charging: If you’re looking to get a full charge on a road trip or during your grocery run, this is what you’ll want to use. You can generally expect to gain 200-300 miles of charge in a 30-45 minute period.

Electric Car Charging Ports

Charging ports for EVs vary based on whether you’ve chosen level 2 or level 3 charging. Level 2 car chargers are all the same if your EV was made after the model year 2000. They all have J1772 charging ports.

Level 3 chargers are different, with Tesla superchagers being unique even from other Level 3 chargers. yIf you have a VW ID.4 or other EV, then you’ll generally have one of two options:

•  CCS charging (combined charging system, also known as SAE Combo or just Combo)
• …or CHAdeMO charging

Most Level 3 chargers are engineered to accommodate the most two common types of EV chargers, while a Tesla requires you to purchase a proprietary Tesla charger. That’s yet another benefit of buying a VW ID.4 in East Rochester vs. a Tesla Model Y or other Tesla vehicle!

Electric Car Charging Station Cost

Some electric car charging stations are free with certain models, but this only applies for a limited time. Don’t expect to have this privilege for the life of your vehicle. Overall, charging at home is much cheaper than charging in public, though the trade-off, of course, is longer charging times:

• Different Level 2 and Level 3 public chargers have different costs, but Level 2 is cheaper overall and will generally cost between $15 and $25 to charge the average EV fully.
• Level 3 charging is more expensive and will typically cost between $30 and $45 to get a full charge near Fairport.

How much does it cost to charge an EV at home? KBB says $25-$33 a month. That’s a significant savings to filling up a gas tank for anywhere $25-$75 a tank and doing that once a week, or four-plus times a month!

What to Know About EVs and Road Trips

Level 3 charging stations, though the priciest of the three options, are super easy to use. They’re also becoming more and more ubiquitous at rest stops around Pittsford and across the country and other places on the road where you can stop, recharge the batteries in your vehicle, and refuel your body with some food or retail therapy. Range anxiety is quickly becoming a thing of the past!

Find Your EV with the Perfect Team

Now that you know the answer to the query “How do electric car charging stations work?” in a addition to a bit more about the potential cost of your future EV charging endeavors, we invite you to check out our EVs for sale and learn more about EV tax credits for which you may be eligible!