Many EV chargers come with a built-in timer to help drivers take advantage of cheaper off-peak electricity tariffs, which are typically available at night or on the weekend. Those with solar power integration allow you to capture and store energy from your rooftop panels.

Private and fleet EV drivers want smart chargers that are easy to locate, have realtime information about charger availability and peak/off-peak pricing. They also need a simple mobile app for reservation and routing support.

Level 1

EV chargers come in different levels, and Level 1 is the easiest to get started with. Automakers almost always include a small Level 1 charger, or EVSE, with each plugin car sale. A Level 1 EVSE looks like a small box or cylinder with a household plug and grounded cord on one end, and a longer cord and pistol-grip connector that plugs into the vehicle on the other end.

It’s rated at 120 volts, so it uses the same power that your clothes dryer and electric oven use. Voltage and amps measure the amount of power going into a bucket, called a battery, and when you multiply those numbers over the course of an hour, you get kilowatt-hours. That’s how much you can add to your EV’s range with a full night of Level 1 charging. It’s also how long it takes to charge the average EV from zero to 100% using a home EVSE.

Level 2

EV owners are increasingly turning to Level 2 chargers for their home charging needs. These are typically installed at single-family residences, multifamily dwelling units (MUDs) and commercial sites. They connect to a standard household electrical circuit and can be networked or not, with added features such as remote access/control via Wi-Fi or cellular, access control/ability to accept different forms of payment, load balancing amongst multiple chargers and even submetering for billing electricity use by users.

Level 2 ev chargers plug into a 240-volt or 208-volt AC outlet, and convert the power to direct current. They typically deliver 3.3 to 19.2 kilowatts and charge electric cars at a rate of up to 30 miles of range per hour. They are ideal for people who have a longer commute or who charge their car at work. Many EVs use a J1772 connector that fits into these types of chargers, though Teslas can be charged using their proprietary connectors and adapters.

Fast Chargers

Most EVs have an onboard charger that can recharge their battery, but they also need a connection to the outside world. That's where fast chargers come in.

There are a few different types of fast chargers, but they all work slightly differently. The basic concept is that they send more electricity into a compatible device than your standard charger can, and for a longer period of time.

A quick primer: Amperage is the width of the watering hose, voltage is the strength of the water pressure, and watts are amperage multiplied by voltage. (As a general rule, a higher wattage means more power, though that's not always the case.)

Best ev chargers stations are more expensive than Level 2 chargers to install and operate, so they charge you a little extra for the faster speed. But the money saved on filling up your EV's tank is probably worth it to you. When using a fast charger, always unplug when your battery gets to about 80% charged. That's not only good for you, it's better for the other drivers using that same station.

At Home Chargers

Most EV owners juice up their vehicles at home. The cheapest option is to install an L1 cord into a standard outlet, which can run you about $100. Many new EVs also come with an L2 charger as part of the purchase incentive.

The next step is a more permanent charging station. Hard-wired wall units cost more to install, but offer more capability, including smart functionality (like timers) and a weatherproof enclosure.

They also can provide data about solar generation or other electricity-consuming loads on your home network (via external CT sensors). This allows a smart charger to use the car's solar power first and only push grid energy as needed, so you can maximize your savings with a variable pricing tariff. Some utility companies offer much cheaper electricity during certain periods (usually overnight). Scheduling a charger via an app or the vehicle's touchscreen can help you take advantage of these discounts. Some models even have a built-in timer.