Charging EVs
All EV models come with a portable Level 1 cord-set that lets you charge using any standard household outlet. Level 1 charging is the slowest speed of charging. Some models may include a level 2 adapter which allows you to plug into a 240-volt plug, like the one for your dryer or stove.
There are 3 types of chargers.
- Level 1 chargers come standard with any EV and are the slowest form of charging. They allow you to plug into any standard 110-120-volt household outlet.
- Level 2 chargers plug into a 240-volt outlet (same outlet as your stove or dryer) and allow you to charge much faster than the standard Level one charger.
- Level 3 chargers, also known as DC Fast Chargers, are commonly found in public places like gas stations and shopping malls. This 480-volt charger can charge most EVs in about an hour.
To get the best charge at home, a Level 2 charger is the way to go. A Level 2 charger can fully charge an EV anywhere from 6-14 hours. Some top brands of chargers are;
- ChargePoint Home Flex – Level 2 EV Charging Station (16-50 Amp)
- Grizzl-E Classic Charger – Level 2 EV Charging Station (16-40 Amp)
- Wallbox Pulsar Plus – Level 2 EV Charging Station (48 Amp, 11 kW)
- Morec – Level 2 Portable EV Charger (40 Amp)
Most local electricians are capable of installing a home charger. It can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on the project’s complexity (mostly based on where your electrical box is). If it’s in the garage, you’re in luck – but if it’s in the basement, it may be a little more expensive.
Generally speaking, all EV cars use the same standard plug for Level 1 and Level 2 charging. All Level 2 public charging stations (with the exception of Tesla) use the same plug standard, which means any car from any brand can use any Level 2 station across Canada and the United States. Tesla has an upgrade in the works for its Supercharger stations in North America that’ll let non-Tesla EVs use them sometime in late 2022.
Canada has over 6,000 charging stations and growing. Most gas stations and public hot spots, such as shopping centers and community centers, have Level 3 chargers available to the public. A popular and convenient way to find charging stations on the go is through smartphone apps such as PlugShare, ChargeHub and A Better Route Planner.
In newer EVs, it is highly unlikely that you will have to replace the battery. Like the lithium-ion battery in your smartphone, the battery in your EV can eventually lose its ability to reach a full charge. It means you might lose a small bit of range over time (approximately 2.3% of range per year). Typically, modern EVs have an eight-year or 160,000-kilometre warranty on batteries giving you protection on your investment. Heat is the biggest culprit in lithium battery degradation, and modern EVs have management systems to prevent the battery from getting too hot. In older EVs like the original Nissan Leaf, there wasn’t this type of system in place, so many of these older EVs needed battery replacement. It’s essential to do your research and ensure that if you purchase a used electric vehicle, you know the original range and how much it has depleted.


