People are used to refilling regular cars, since they’ve been with us for more than a hundred years. Unlike that, not many understand what are the different ways available to charge an electric vehicle, nor do they know where the electric vehicle charging stations are located.


 
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There are different levels of electric vehicle charging stations on the market. They will translate into slower or faster recharging, though it isn't the only element that influences how long it will take to charge a certain EV. For instance, it also depends on the size of the batteries of the vehicle.

Types of electric charging stations and how to find them

These cars can use three different types of electric vehicle charging stations to get recharged. Let's explore the existing EV chargers:

Level 1

When purchasing an EV, the person usually receives a Level 1 charger. These devices are suitable for use both at home and at a public charging point, always bearing in mind that charging the battery of a typical EV can take up to 24 hours.

Advantages

● They use a standard 120V household outlet, which means it can be plugged in anywhere.

Disadvantages

● It adds between 3 and 5 miles of range per hour, making charging really slow.

There is no doubt that it's perfect for overnight charging or for people who don't use the vehicle on a daily basis and only need to charge a low percentage of the battery at a time.

Level 2

Level 2 EV chargers are the most widely used for charging electric vehicles on a daily basis. 

They are the most frequently found at public charging points, and can also be installed in residential areas. L2 charger uses an electric circuit between 208-V and 240-V.

Advantages

● It isn't expensive to set up and doesn't take up a lot of space, so it's convenient to install this charger at home.
● Recharging a regular EV battery to 100% can take approximately 8 hours. So, it is much faster than Level 1.

Disadvantages

● It is not as advisable if the vehicle is low on battery and the user does not have a lot of time to refill it.

So, it's excellent for overnight charging for vehicles that are used on a daily basis. 

DCFC

These are the fastest chargers available. They add up to 20 miles of range per minute.

As they are expensive to buy and install, and require a lot of space, DCFCs are found in public charging points. Also, they're divided into standard fast chargers and Tesla Supercharging.

Advantages

● A fast charger can fill an EV battery to 80% in less than an hour.

Disadvantages

● Too expensive to have it installed at home, and they aren't recommended for using them on a daily basis since they can stress the EV's batteries.


 
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If you're wondering what's the best way to find the nearest L2 and DCFC, it is recommended to use an electric car charging stations map.

Many companies have developed maps to search either by proximity, zip code, full address, or city.

The West Coast Electric Highway project

The WCEH case is an example that should be followed by the rest of the States. By looking at the West Coast Electric Highway map, one can see that it's a network of charging points, including Level 2 and fast chargers.

The charging-network companies should intend to add more stations and continue to evolve and improve the ones that are already installed.

The WCEH has been in existence for over ten years and spans several states, from British Columbia through Oregon and California and into Washington.
 


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The West Coast EV network made planning a road trip, for example, much easier and more reliable than in other areas where there are not as many chargers within such proximity to each other.

It's what needs to be implemented in every State and worldwide to further encourage the use of this type of more environmentally-friendly mobility.