Electric car public charging stations allow you to charge your EV on the go when you need to travel long distances. Although most EV owners prefer charging electric cars at home for daily use, due to public EV charging cost efficiency, people sometimes prefer them if their use or trip is minimal.
You can easily find a public EV charging station near shopping malls, restaurants, public parking spots, etc. Moreover, you can also find them by searching “EV Charging Stations Near Me” on Google Maps. In this post, you will learn everything you need to know about charging your EV using public charging stations.
3 Levels of Electric Chargers
There are three typical charging levels for electric vehicles. Level 1 and level 2 stations can charge all types of Electric Vehicles. These chargers have the same charging capacity as those that may be installed at home. We advise you to stay away from level 1 charging outlets. They are too extremely slow and are not designed to meet the demands of EV drivers when driving long distances.
If you want to charge your Electric Vehicle as quickly as possible, pick a level 3 charger. However, they are only effective if your battery’s state-of-charge (SOC) is less than 80%.
For more information on the different charging levels, check out our Ultimate Guide To Charging Your EV.
Compatible Network Operators
There are several public charging stations around Canada and the United States. To use a networked charger, also known as smart public charging stations or connected stations, you must subscribe to the network. Registration is basically free, and you will only pay when you use their services. Moreover, you will need an RFID or public charging card or the mobile app of that network to use the said charger. Apart from these, there are several independent public charging stations that are installed by small businesses. You can use those without any subscriptions but, conditions may apply.
Connectors For Public Charging
There are three levels of connectors i.e., Level 1. Level 2, and Level 3. The SAE J1772 EV is the most common plug and almost every EV can be charged with it. The CHAdeMO and SAE Combo are available for Level 3 connectors and are the best choice for fast charging. It’s crucial to know if your car is compatible with the available connectors before driving to a charging station.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Where can I charge your electric car for free?
A. Customers and visitors can charge for free at many sites, restaurants, and enterprises. A free smartphone app may be used to locate charging stations on most current networks.
Q. Can you own an electric car without a home charger?
A. Although, every electric car comes with a home charger, you can still choose to not have it installed and charge your EV at public charging stations.
Q. Do electric cars lose charge when parked?
A. Although the amount of charge lost when parked is little, it adds up with time. It is recommended that you charge your battery to at least 80% before parking. However, all EV experts agree that the vehicle’s battery must be at least 50% charged before being stored.
Q. Can EV be charged anywhere?
A. Yes, as long as you have a 10 Amp or 15 Amp household socket, you can charge your Electric Vehicle anywhere.
Q. Is it legal to run a charging cable across the pavement?
A. There are no legal barriers to charging your EV with a wire that runs across the street. There is also no requirement to acquire a particular license for this purpose.