• Level one – A standard 120-volt wall outlet that offers 7-9 km per hour of charging.
• Level two – A 240-volt specialised outlet that offers 30-45 km per hour of charging.
• Level three – A 480-volt Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) that depending on the capacities of the EV and the charger can bring an EV’s charge from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in as quickly as 15 minutes

That’s the quick overview, but let’s dig into what each of these mean in the real world.

Level one 

A level one charger is a standard wall outlet that would be the same as you would use for plugging in any appliance. While these are readily available, they do charge slowly, adding about seven to nine km of range per hour the vehicle is charging. Any EV or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will be able to connect to these–they’re best suited for overnight charging and vehicles making shorter commutes.

Level two

Next up is a level two electric vehicle charger. Typically, electric vehicle owners will have one of these installed around their house or workplace or they’ll use one that’s publicly available. Level two electric vehicle chargers deliver between 30 and 45 km worth of range per hour of charging. They’re also universal so their plug heads will fit into any electric vehicle sold in North America except for Tesla’s which will require an adapter.

Level three

Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) are often referred to as level three chargers. They’re industrial level chargers that can charge an EV from zero to 80 per cent full in about 30 minutes. You’ll typically find them near highways as they’re best used for longer trips.

There are two different cables at each DCFC, and the brand of electric vehicle you drive will determine which of the cables you use. Tesla is the exception again, as these vehicles require the use of an extra adapter. Tesla does, however, have its own network of fast chargers called Superchargers which they’ve been installing across the globe since September 2012.

Ready to go to the next level?

Now that you’ve learned about charging an EV why not see what it’s like to test drive one. Book your spot with the Next Ride team today and feel the thrill of driving electric.

What is regen braking?

The electric motors used in electric vehicles (EVs) feel completely different under acceleration in comparison to gas-powered cars which changes how the EV comes to a stop. When you take your foot off the pedal in an EV, depending on the model and the settings selected, the car will begin to decelerate more rapidly than if in a gas-powered car. This is because, when slowing down, the electric motor is being driven by the wheels and sending power back into the battery.

Why do EVs use regen braking?

The main reason EVs use regen braking is that by using the motor, rather than using the brake pads, to bring the vehicle to a stop helps to recharge the batteries as you drive. This effect is most utilized in urban settings where there’s a lot of stop signs and traffic lights.

The other advantage is it reduces maintenance costs over the vehicle’s lifetime. In most situations, EV use their motors rather than their brake pads to come to a stop allowing the brake pads to last much longer than in an equivalent gas car.

How does regen braking affect the driving experience?

Once you get used to the feeling of the vehicle decelerating every time you take your foot off the “gas”, we think regenerative braking results in a smooth and enjoyable driving experience. However, the first time trying it feels noticeably different as you learn to adapt your driving style.

Some EVs let you customise the level of regen braking on the fly, which is great for getting used to the system and for changing severity of the braking to match your driving environment. If you want, some EVs let you disable the regen braking completely so the car will coast like a regular car.

Now you’ve learned about regen breaking, it’s time to try it for yourself! Book yourself an electric vehicle test drive with Next Ride to feel the thrill of driving electric.