When you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle, one of your main questions is probably “how long does it take to charge an electric car?”. It’s a valid question: EVs aren’t like internal combustion engines where you can stop at the pump, fill up the gas tank, and hit the road. Charging an electric vehicle is a different experience and our experts at N Charlotte Toyota are here to educate you. on the basics.
First, let’s talk about the three types of chargers (the type of charger you use determines the charging time of your electric vehicle).
Electric vehicle charging time broken down
Level One Chargers: These chargers are your standard 120V. Essentially, if a plug in the wall has a three-prong outlet, you can plug in your car and charge it.
- When you buy an N Charlotte Toyota electric car, you will get this type of cable included with your vehicle and you will be able to take it everywhere.
- However, this is definitely the slowest type of EV charging and can take several days to fully charge.
- If you drive a plug-in hybrid or have a short commute, this type of charging will work for you, but if you drive a lot or have a long commute in an all-electric vehicle, it may not be enough since you’ll have to charge it every night during the night. night.
Level Two Chargers – These chargers are more powerful and double to 240V. You can have this type of EV charging station in your home, but you will need to have it installed by a qualified and licensed electrician (don’t try to do it yourself) .
- These EV charging stations are also the most typical public charging stations. If you want a full charge from this charger, you’ll need to plug it in overnight; It may take 4-10 hours to arrive.
- It’s faster than a 120V one though, so installing one in your home garage is definitely worth exploring.
Level Three Chargers: Also called DC or DC fast chargers. Unfortunately, you can’t install this type of EV charging station in your home; you can only find them as public chargers. But they are extremely convenient when you can, as they are the fastest way to charge your N Charlotte Toyota. Charging time varies depending on your car and can take 20-60 minutes to reach 80% charge.
However, don’t let all this information overwhelm you. We understand that new electric car drivers may experience EV range anxiety, but it’s easy to overcome. All you have to do is download apps to find charging stations near you and keep an eye on your charge level/range, just like you would keep an eye on your gas tank. And if you have the means to install a level 2 home charger, it may be worth it!
On top of that, driving an electric car has additional benefits besides fuel economy and cleaner performance. You can enroll in the Clean Assist program through Toyota. Every time you charge your N Charlotte Toyota, the Toyota app will calculate how much electricity you’re using, as well as the net emissions from the charging process. They will then generate or purchase an equivalent number of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), ensuring that all charging activity matches carbon-free electricity.
Learn more about electric vehicle charging time at Toyota of N Charlotte
Do you have questions about the charging time of electric vehicles or how to get a Toyota N Charlotte that is electric? Call us today! Toyota of N Charlotte is open seven days a week at (704) 875-9199 and we are located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road.