Electric Vehicle Charging 101
Charging Levels
EVSE is an a widely used industry acronym that stands for Electric Vehicle Service Equipment. An EVSE is any smart device that dispenses electric charge to the vehicle. It may be wall-mounted or free-standing, and includes one or more cords with special connectors that plug into the vehicle. EVSEs fall into three categories based on speed.
Level 1 Charging
The simplest, cheapest, slowest technology, producing a “trickle” charge. Most EVs come with a Level 1 device, which plugs into any standard (120V) wall socket and is suitable for home use.
It uses power equivalent to running a hair dryer (~1500W). A Level 1 device adds about 4 miles of range per hour of charging, so an overnight charge will give you 40-50 miles of driving.
Level 2 Charging
The most common form of public charging equipment, these devices look something like a gas-station air pump and are increasingly seen in parking lots, in front of public buildings, etc. Many EV owners install them in their home garages.
They require 240V (like a clothes dryer) and are capable of adding about 22 miles of range per hour. This level of charge is what carmakers are talking about when they say you can fully charge overnight, typically within six to eight hours. Many public Level 2 chargers require payment by credit card or app.
Level 3 - DC Fast Charging
The fastest charging technology. It’s fast because it delivers DC (Direct Current) straight into the battery, unlike the other two levels which require inefficient conversion from AC. Fast-charging devices are typically operated by one of a few commercial networks, and in our area are currently limited to a relatively few locations along major travel corridors.
They add 100+ miles of range per hour, and have various fee structures (a ballpark figure is about $10 per 30 minutes of charging).
Delta now has a Level 3 fast-charger, where you can fill up in the time it takes to have a picnic at Confluence Park.
Commercial Charging Networks
EV drivers can create online accounts with multiple EV charging networks that serve communities that drivers plan to travel to. Most networks have an app for mobile devices as well as a customer card. Either the app or the card can be used to activate the charger for that network.
Tesla has its own network of Supercharger stations, and these account for nearly half of the fast-charging stations in western Colorado. Until recently, only Tesla vehicles could use them because they require a proprietary connector. GM, Ford and Rivian have now negotiated access to Tesla chargers, but owners of those vehicles will have to purchase a special adapter.
ChargePoint operates the nation's biggest network of standard (non-Tesla) hookups. In our part of western Colorado, it offers mostly Level 2 outlets, along with some fast-charge stations.
Electrify America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen, and is rolling out DC fast charge stations under the legal settlement over its diesel emissions scandal. Its stations tend to be located along interstate corridors and can be found in Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs and Edwards.
Other networks and public entities maintain charging stations around the region and statewide, including EVConnect, Greenlots, EVGo, SEMA Connect and others.
The Driving Experience
Given the current limited availability of fast-charging stations, EV owners need to plan their longer driving trips. Happily, technology makes this fairly easy.
The driver can consult the car’s navigation-based system or any of several EV-charging apps to locate nearby stations and calculate the range required to get to them. Vehicle manufacturers are developing ever more seamless and intuitive navigation interfaces to provide a more “gas-like” user experience.
The Plugshare website offers a trip-planner feature that allows drivers to map out charging stops on their route ahead of time.
EV drivers quickly get into the habit of topping up their battery at every opportunity: charging overnight at home, and plugging in wherever the car is parked for some time (at work, while shopping, etc.).
Level 1 and 2 charging can suffice for most daily driving purposes, but longer trips or heavier use will require some planning around extended pit stops at fast-charging stations.