Get to Know the Lingo - Charging Station Edition

The language of electrification can be dauntingly technical and is riddled with acronyms and other jargon. But you don't need a degree in physics to know what the experts are on about. In this second part of our Get to Know The Lingo Guide, we'll get you up to speed on all things related to charging.

EVs need electricity to drive and thrive. You plug them in to charge the battery — EVs mostly run on lithium-ion batteries, as they are particularly good at storing energy. Charging your car basically works the same as charging your smartphone or laptop.

There are three levels of charging: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. The higher the number, the faster your car gets charged up and is ready to go.

Level 1: 120-Volt

Every EV comes with a cord set that works just like any other electrical appliance: plug one end into a normal 120-volt AC wall outlet, and the other (called the connector) into the car's charge port. At Level 1, every hour of electricity input gives you 3 to 5 miles of driving range. This may be fine for hybrids with smaller batteries, but for most BEVs this speed is quite slow — sometimes called trickle charging.

Level 1 connectors: J1772 (J plug), Tesla

Level 2: 208- to 240-Volt

At 12 to 80 miles per hour of charging, Level 2 is a must for most EV drivers. You'll need a 240-volt wall box installed by a qualified electrician. Many EV owners have a Level 2 unit installed at home for hassle-free overnight charging. You'll also find public Level 2 charging points at malls, train stations, workplaces, and more.

Level 2 connectors: J1772, Tesla

Level 3: 400- to 900-Volt (DC Fast Charge)

The fastest way to charge your car. A 20-minute pit stop at a DC Fast Charge / Tesla Supercharger station can give you another 60 to 80 miles of driving. It's not the most budget-conscious option — topping up at a DC Fast Charge point can be two to three times more expensive than home charging. Level 3 units are not available for private homes; they're run by private networks requiring an app account.

Level 3 connectors: CCS (combined charging system / combo-plug), CHAdeMO, Tesla

Dynamic Load Management (DLM)

Charging an EV can sap electricity from other appliances at home. Dynamic Load Management (also called Dynamic Load Balancing or DLB) ensures that available electricity is distributed between your car and appliances, preventing circuit overload and blown fuses. At EVCharge4U, our favorite load balancing solution for homes, apartment buildings, and HOAs is the Demand Charge Controller (DCC).