How Do Electric Car Charging Stations Work?

When it comes to electric vehicles, we know that there can be a lot of questions about how they work and what it takes to charge them. Have you wondered how do electric car charging stations work? Then we have the information you need! While it is a pretty big change from the conventional gas vehicle on your Arlington drives, you’re making a difference by being eco-friendly and we’re here to stand by you through that endeavor. We’d like to let you know that from electric car charging stations cost to locations, we’ve got a guide to help you make the transition.

Electric Car Charging Station Types

How do electric car charging stations work? You’ll want to know which type you’re using first. There are three types of electric car charging models, two of which you’ll find on the road.

• Level 1: These are almost exclusively found at home. This is the same as an old-school electrical outlet, and it only provides a few miles of charge for each hour of charging. For most electric vehicles available in Washington D.C. today, expect to spend more than 24 hours to get a full charge.
• Level 2: This will typically give you a full charge overnight. However, if you are just looking to top up, most modern EVs can provide somewhere between 60 and 120 miles of charge in a 45-minute period.
• Level 3 DC Fast Charging: If you’re looking to get the full charge on a road trip or during your grocery run, this is what you’ll want to pick. In most cases, you’ll be able to get 200-300 miles of charge in a 30-45 minute period. These car charging stations are most often found at grocery stores and fast food establishments, so you’ll be able to get a meal or get your groceries done and have a week’s worth of driving ready on average.

Electric Car Charging Ports

There are several different charging ports you’ll have to contend with when it comes to charging your electric car, and they differ based on what model you have and whether you’re going level 2 or level 3.

Level 2 car chargers are all the same if your EV was made after model year 2000. They all have J1772 charging ports. Level 3, on the other hand, that’ll differ. So if you aren’t sure about the charging port of your vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll help you get it sorted.

Electric Car Charging Stations Cost

While it’ll almost always be cheaper at home, we know you can’t always charge there when you’re out and about. That being said, some electric car charging stations are free with certain models, but this only applies for a limited time. Don’t expect to have this for the life of your vehicle. You’ll have an app with your vehicle that will direct you to these charging stations in most cases.

If you’re out on the run, you’ll want to consider that charging costs differ between Level 2 and Level 3. Level 2 is cheaper and will typically cost between $15 and $25 to charge the average car fully. Level 3 is more expensive and will typically cost between $30 and $45 to get a full charge in Springfield. This is contingent on daily demand pricing, so charging during peak times will typically cost you a little more.

Find Your EV with the Perfect Team

With that, you know pretty much everything you need to in order to get started with charging your new electric vehicle. If you’re looking for a new model to add to your Alexandria garage, we can help you with that too! Take a look at our new electric inventory. If you have some concerns about your electric vehicle, be sure to visit our service center for help from our knowledgeable technicians.