Though electric cars are increasingly popular and affordable, most people still drive gas-powered vehicles. After all, gas stations are convenient, and accessible, and exist in almost every city. A hybrid car is a great first step to owning an eco-friendly car because it has the best of both worlds. It’s a hybrid because it has both a gas engine and an electric motor. This makes it a dual-fuel car that can switch from gas to battery power as needed. Read on to learn about different ways you can charge your electric car at home or on the go by reading this blog post for more information.

Installing a Home Charging Station

If you drive an electric car, you’ll need to figure out how to charge it at home. Most electric cars can be charged at home using an electrical outlet. This is called Level 1 charging since the power flow is about the same as what comes out of a standard plug. A Level 1 charging station can be as simple as plugging an extension cord into your garage wall outlet. Most electric car models can charge at Level 1 but at very slow rates. A full charge may take up to 24 hours, so you probably won’t want to plug in your car overnight. Instead, you’ll charge it during off hours, like when you’re at work.

Charging at Public Chargers

First, let’s talk about public charging stations. These are usually found in places like malls, hotels, airports, and even grocery stores. These charging stations are ideal for people who want to travel in an EV but don’t have a charger at home. Most public charging stations use a charging standard called CHAdeMO. This is the same type of charger that’s used in Japanese-made electric cars like the Nissan Leaf, the Toyota Prius Prime, and the Honda Clarity. Some public stations have both Level 2 and CHAdeMO connections for either EVs or plug-in hybrids.

Battery-only Driving

You can drive on battery power alone for a few miles in most electric cars. This is called “battery-only driving” or “pure electric driving.” Most electric cars have a range of about 100 miles on battery power alone, though this can vary by make and model. When you drive on electricity alone, your car is being charged by the batteries. This means that you won’t be burning any gasoline. It also means that you’re not contributing to air pollution. When you’re driving on battery power alone, you don’t have to pay attention to your fuel gauge. Instead, you’ll have to pay attention to your “charge meter.” This meter will show the amount of charge your batteries have left. When your charge meter gets below 10%, it’s time to plug in and charge up again.

When to Use Each Type of Charging

Let’s talk about when you should use Level 1, Level 2, and CHAdeMO charging: Level 1 – If you only have a single wall outlet in your garage, you should use this for low-power items like a coffee maker or a fan. If you plug an electric car into a single outlet, you could blow a circuit or trip your breaker. You should use a dedicated circuit for charging Level 1 items like your car. Most electric cars can charge at Level 1. Level 2 – If you have a dedicated circuit with a breaker, you can use this to charge your car. Most electric cars can charge at Level 2, though some are pickier than others. CHAdeMO – If you want to travel in an all-electric car or charge a plug-in hybrid, you’ll need to visit a CHAdeMO station. This is the main charging standard for Japanese electric cars like the Prius Prime and the Leaf. Most public charging stations are CHAdeMO, and some cars have both types of plugs.

Summing up

If you’re driving an electric car, you’ll have to learn how to charge it. Proper charging techniques can extend the life of your battery and help you save money on fuel. You can charge your car at home with an electrical outlet, or you can use a public station. Level 1 is for low power and Level 2 is for normal power. CHAdeMO is the standard for Japanese electric cars. Most public charging stations are CHAdeMO, but you can also charge at Level 2.