EV Charging 101

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EV 101: Get to Know Your EV

Charge Right

Working towards decarbonizing the grid is exciting and is only possible because of people like you! As we work towards "zero emissions," we work towards making our products affordable so we can make the difference together. How exciting! Congrats on your electric vehicle and lets dig in!

Get to Know Levels 1, 2, and 3

Level 1: EV Convenient Charging

The most convenient charging level - slow but steady. (Ideal for short daily commutes and those wanting easy access to overnight charging)

Uses 120-volt power and takes all day (and night) for an EV.

Level 1 charging uses standard AC wall outlets (like the ones found in your home or office building, convenient right?) to recharge your battery. This can be an extremely ideal use almost anywhere solution. 

Standard 120V AC outlets deliver a maximum charge of 1.8kW, which means you’ll gain between three to six miles of range per hour. While it may seem slow, EV owners can still top off their cars with over 50 miles of range each night with a Level 1 charger. 

The best part of Level 1 charging is affordability. Unlike Level 2 and Level 3 charging, Level 1 charging typically requires no additional products, installations, or maintenance. Level 1 users can simply plug their EV into any NEMA 5-15 wall outlet and begin charging. How cool is that?

*Just be warned early on that you should never plug ANY level 1 EV charger into an extension cord, it doesn`t matter the brand.

Level 2: EV Lets Step It Up

Level 2 is the most common level of EV charging - in public spaces residential garages, office buildings.

Level 2 uses 240 volts and recharges an EV in a couple of hours.

Charging denotes a significant increase in power and charging speed.

2x the voltage of Level 1 chargers. With faster charging speeds, EV owners can add roughly 50 miles to their range per hour of in charging. 

Most level 2 chargers can fully charge EVs in a single night (depending on your charger power output and the maximum charge rate).

*Recommended EV owners install level 2 at home. (More incentives for this type of charger)

Level 3: EV Super Sized

Level 3 DC charging - a.k.a supercharging or fast charging -super sized compared to Level 1 and Level 2 charging. (Gets the job done in about an hour)

Using high-voltage power sources ranging from 400-900V, Level 3 chargers charge 3 to 20 miles of range per minute! Incredible, isn`t it?

Level 3 gets speed by cutting out the AC to DC conversion process. It`s straight DC baby!

All EVs ultimately run on DC power. So, AC power needs to be converted to DC power inside the EV.

Level 3 charging systems require higher voltages and complicated installations, so you’re best bet to catch them is at commercial EV refueling stations across the country. 

Want More EV and Technology Tips?

Contact us with your questions and we would be happy to help on your journey to becoming an EV owner! Let`s make the difference together.

EV 102: Everything EV

Charging Terms

Here are the basic EV Charging Terms to help get you started.

EV (Electric Vehicle): An electric vehicle is a car that is powered by electricity instead of gasoline. It uses a battery to store energy and an electric motor to drive the wheels.

Charging Station: A charging station, also known as an EV charging point, is a location where you can plug in your electric vehicle to charge its battery. Charging stations come in different types and speeds.

Charging Cable: This is the cable you use to connect your EV to a charging station. One end plugs into your vehicle's charging port, and the other end plugs into the charging station.

Charging Port: This is where you plug in the charging cable on your electric vehicle. It's usually located on the side or front of the vehicle.

Level 1 Charging: Level 1 charging uses a standard household electrical outlet (120 volts) to charge your EV. It's the slowest charging option and is useful for overnight charging.

Level 2 Charging: Level 2 charging operates at 240 volts, which is faster than Level 1. Many public charging stations and home charging setups use Level 2 charging. It's great for charging while you're at work or running errands.

DC Fast Charging (Level 3 Charging): DC fast charging is the fastest charging option. It uses direct current (DC) to quickly charge the EV's battery. It's usually found at public charging stations along highways and can provide a significant amount of charge in a short time.

Charging Speed: This refers to how quickly your EV's battery is replenished. It's often measured in kilowatts (kW). The higher the charging speed, the faster your battery charges.

Charging Connector: The charging connector is the part of the charging cable that plugs into your EV's charging port. Different EV models use different types of connectors.

Range: The distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge. It's important to know the range of your EV to plan your trips and charging stops.

State of Charge (SoC): This indicates how much energy is left in your EV's battery as a percentage. For example, if your battery is at 50% SoC, it's halfway depleted.

Charge Point Operator (CPO): The company or organization that owns and operates a charging station.

Network or Charging Network: A collection of charging stations managed by a single company or network provider. Some networks require membership or access cards to use their stations.

Home Charging: Charging your EV at home using a Level 1 or Level 2 charging setup. It's convenient and ensures your vehicle is ready to go each morning.

Public Charging: Using charging stations located in public places such as shopping malls, parking garages, and along highways.

Remember, understanding these terms will help you navigate the world of electric vehicle charging with ease. Happy charging!

Installation/Rebate

Here are some basic installation/rebate tips to help get you started. We have it all.

Tip #1 Hire Professional: Did you know we not only make the products but also provide you partners to help with installation? If you go under our installation menu, drop down to installation information you can see a quick easy form to get you started. Sometimes installation can be tricky so hiring professional is always best.

Tip #2 Discussions (Get Answers:) If you go to our top menu, click community drop-down to discussions you can get involved. We provide an area to communicate both with us and EV enthusiasts. This can be great for getting answers you need. Hot topics can be installation, rebates, general EV and more.

Tip #3 Rebate Finder: We made a easy way for you to seek out the rebates you need. Just go to our incentives section and find our toolbar. You can quickly click your state and get answers on the discounts you deserve.

More EV...

Have a craving for more information on EV? We got you covered.

Tip#1 See Our Blog: Check out our blog where we have the best EV information you could find out there. We have a sweet tooth to keep up with the EV marketplace, so you don't have to. Just click into community, select blogs and sip your coffee in style as you read.

Tip #2 Discussions (Get Anwsers:) If you go to our top menu, click community drop-down to discussions you can get involved. We provide an area to communicate both with us and EV enthusiasts. This can be great for getting answers you need. Hot topics can be installation, rebates, general EV and more.

Tip #3 Reach Out: We are honored to be serving our products to you, the customers making a difference to our world. If you want to talk EV just reach out and we can have a good discussion as we walk you through some of our top-of-the-line products.

EV 103: Creating The Difference

Your Superpowers

Your superpower begins with the car that you drive. Having gone electric, you are making a difference as we are working towards decarbonizing the grid with a "zero emissions," goal. We work towards making our products affordable so we can make the difference together.

Why EV?

Join the Movement

It's important to take care of the world that we`re are living in, so our children don't have to be brought up in a world full of filthy emissions. It only makes sense for the generations to come that we strive to not only do our best to keep the air clean but also go electric to save in the long run.

Become an installer if you know EV well and are passionate about it. We are consistently looking for more partners to add to our team of super passionate people. If this interests you check out our installation sections.

Why US?

Find our Heart

All hands in our company is working from top to bottom together. Our CEO is actively involved and bring the heart that built the product to help market the product. Our small team is working daily to make a big difference.

Information Conosur's we seek out the latest in the EV world. Soaking up information we work to learn everything we can to help you.

Customers first we work to develop the best products for you every day from our discussions at early stages until and after the product hits the floor. Our company always calls the customer back and work to make a difference.

Why You?

YOU are the Difference

You're the superhero. We know you are the reason we make our products. You are the one driving EV and as we work together our earth literally changes. See our shop for the products that partner us together as we make a difference one charger at a time.

Charging Levels Infographic

Charging Plugs Infographic

See Our Resources: EV 101, Data, Blog, Discussion, Incentives, Installers, Partners and More.