Chargers 101
EV chargers, made simple.
Charging an EV doesn't have to feel like learning a new language. Here's everything worth knowing, in plain words.
The big three
Three speeds of EV charging.
Click any of them to see the full breakdown.
The trickle charger
Level 1
1.4 kW
120V AC
Level 1 uses the same 120V outlet you'd plug a lamp into. It works, but it works slowly. If your daily commute is short or you drive a plug-in hybrid with a small battery, this can technically keep up. For full electric vehicles with 60+ kWh batteries, plugging into Level 1 overnight might only get you 50 to 80 km of range back.
Practical sweet spot
1.4 kW is the only option here
Range per hour
5 to 8 km of range per hour
Full charge time
20 to 40 hours for a typical EV
Where you'll find it
Any standard household outlet
Cost per 100 km of range
About $1.50 at Toronto Hydro off-peak rates
Energy efficiency
Uses about 16 kWh per 100 km of range
CO2 saved vs gas
Roughly 22 kg of CO2 saved per 100 km vs a gas car
Best for
Plug-in hybrids, drivers with very low daily mileage
NowCharged uses DC Fast Charging to get your car back to you quickly.
Find your EV
Look up your car's specs.
Search 60+ EVs to see your battery size, connector type, and how long a typical DC fast charge takes. It also feeds straight into the charge estimator.
Open vehicle finderPlug types
Which plug fits your car?
Different EVs use different plugs. Here's a visual reference.
Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging
J1772
Compatible with
All North American EVs except older Teslas
Tesla owners
Tesla owners use a J1772 to Tesla adapter for these
What you should know
The most common plug in North America for slow and medium-speed charging. You'll find J1772 connectors on most home wallboxes, condo chargers, and public Level 2 stations. The plug has 5 pins: 2 large pins for power, 1 ground, and 2 small communication pins.
Myth busting
What people get wrong.
EV charging has more myths than facts floating around. Here are the most common ones.
Myth
"Fast charging ruins my battery"
Reality
Modern EVs have battery management systems specifically designed to handle DC fast charging. Occasional fast charging has minimal long-term impact. Using DC fast as your only charging method daily for years can accelerate wear, but using it once or twice a week is fine for most batteries.
Myth
"I need to charge to 100% every time"
Reality
Most EV manufacturers recommend keeping your daily charge between 20% and 80%. Charging to 100% regularly stresses the battery. It's fine for road trips, but not necessary for daily driving. Your battery will last longer if you treat 80% as your normal full.
Myth
"Cold weather destroys range permanently"
Reality
Range temporarily drops 20% to 40% in extreme cold but returns to normal when temperatures rise. Pre-conditioning your battery before charging or driving in winter helps significantly. The drop is from heating the cabin and slower battery chemistry, not permanent damage.
Myth
"All chargers work with all EVs"
Reality
Different cars use different plugs. Tesla used a proprietary plug for years. CCS1 is common for non-Teslas. CHAdeMO is being phased out. Knowing your car's connector type before pulling up to a public charger saves you a lot of frustration.
Myth
"Charging at home is always the cheapest option"
Reality
Usually yes, but not always. Toronto Hydro time-of-use rates make overnight charging significantly cheaper. But if you're on a flat rate plan or in a condo with high electricity costs, public chargers with off-peak pricing can sometimes match.
Myth
"I should always charge to 100% before a long trip"
Reality
Not necessarily. The last 20% takes nearly as long as the first 80% on a DC fast charger. For long trips, it's often faster to charge to 80%, drive, and stop for another quick charge rather than waiting at the same station to fill all the way up.
EV terms
Words you'll hear.
A real glossary, not a corporate one.
kW (kilowatt)
How fast a charger delivers power at any moment. Higher kW means faster charging speed.
kWh (kilowatt-hour)
How much energy. Your battery's total capacity is measured in kWh. A 75 kWh battery filled by a 50 kW charger takes about 90 minutes from empty.
Range
How many kilometers your EV can drive on a full charge. Affected by speed, weather, and how you drive.
State of Charge (SoC)
Your battery's current charge level shown as a percentage. Most cars also show estimated range.
Charging curve
EVs charge fastest from 20% to 80%. After 80%, the speed drops significantly to protect the battery. This is why you almost never wait for 100% at a public charger.
Pre-conditioning
Warming or cooling the battery before fast charging or before a drive in extreme weather. Most modern EVs do this automatically when you navigate to a charger.
Onboard charger
The hardware inside your EV that converts AC power to DC for the battery. Its size limits how fast Level 1 and Level 2 charging can go for your specific car.
Battery degradation
The gradual loss of battery capacity over years of use. Most modern EVs lose 5% to 10% of capacity over 8 to 10 years.
DC vs AC charging
Your battery stores DC power. Level 1 and Level 2 chargers deliver AC, which your car converts. DC fast chargers send DC directly to the battery, skipping the conversion.
Peak charging speed
The maximum kW your car can accept. A 350 kW charger plugged into a car that maxes at 150 kW will still only charge at 150 kW.
Now that you know, let us handle the rest.
We use DC fast chargers to get your EV back to you quickly. Skip the learning curve and skip the wait.
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