A Look at the Charging Options Available to the Owners of EVs

Drivers who bring their cars to one of our MileOne service center for some routine maintenance or a repair often ask if electric vehicles need as much maintenance as gas-powered and hybrid vehicles. Since they don't have many parts that alternative automobiles have, such as an exhaust system, a gas-powered motor, and a gas tank, EVs require less maintenance than cars with alternate powertrains. 

In addition to being less expensive to maintain than conventional and hybrid automobiles, the electric vehicles in our new car inventory cost less to power up. While you still have to pay for the electricity used to power an EV's battery, you'll pay less than it costs to fill a comparable automobile with gasoline. 

Level 1 Charging 

Our team of MileOne dealers can tell you that you'll have three charging options available to you if you buy or lease an electric vehicle. Arguably the most convenient option is Level 1 charging. 

This type of charging employs 120-volt outlets to power up an EV. With Level 1 charging, an EV gains two to five miles of driving range every hour. Most homes have 120-volt outlets throughout, which makes it easy to plug in an EV's wall connector cable and charge the car. 

Level 2 Charging 

If you contact or visit MileOne Autogroup, we'll tell you all about Level 2 charging. This type of charging is faster than Level 1 charging because it relies on a 240-volt outlet. Level 2 chargers are the most common chargers found at public charging stations. 

Every EV can use a Level 2 charger, but some drivers may need to have a custom charging station installed if they plan to use Level 2 charging at home. Level 2 charging adds 10 - 25 miles of range every hour an EV remains plugged in. 

DC Fast Charging 

Also known as Level 3 charging, DC fast charging is the quickest way to charge the battery in an EV. DC fast charging employs a 480-volt AC circuit, which speeds up the charging process dramatically. In general, an EV's battery can reach 80 percent capacity in as little as 15 - 45 minutes. 

As a general rule, it's wise to reserve the use of DC fast charging for long road trips. That's because using a DC fast charger too often may shorten your battery's life. 

Now that you know what your charging options are, it's time to buy or lease an EV. Visit one of our MileOne finance center now!