Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: FAQs Answered

The electric driving revolution is here. More Americans are buying electric vehicles (EVs) than ever before. With more than 185,000 electric cars joining the roads in the last quarter of 2021 alone, the EV charging infrastructure has come increasingly under the spotlight. 

The U.S. government wants to electrify America, pledging 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations and EVs making up half of all car sales by 2030. Such electrification creates the need for charging solutions. 

There are around 145,000 gas stations across the United States compared to some 50,600 public EV charging stations. While gas pump hoses are universal, some charging locations cannot service every EV type. This leaves many drivers wondering how they’ll be able to keep an electric car charged. Let’s take a closer look at electric vehicle charging stations and answer the most frequently asked questions about this evolving part of daily life. 

Why Do We Need Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations? 

Climate change fueled by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gasoline is warming the planet and changing weather patterns. Many countries, including the U.S., have signed up for the Paris Agreement to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. 

The United States transportation sector is responsible for almost 30% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Light-duty vehicles account for 57% of transportation emissions, making America’s love affair with the automobile one of its most potent climate change contributors. 

Transport electrification will help reduce those emissions, especially if the electricity comes from renewable energy sources like wind energy or solar power. However, in 2021, the median range of EVs was just 234 miles. Without a nationwide network of charging stations, some EV drivers could find themselves running out of energy on journeys. 

What Are the Different Types of Electric Vehicles? 

There are four main types of electric vehicles (EVs) on the market: 

Battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs or BEVs) run solely on battery power and need charging stations. 

Hybrids (HEVs) mix a traditional combustion engine with a battery. These vehicles don’t need charging because their braking system delivers power to the battery. 

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) use the same concept as hybrids but can use charging stations to juice up the battery. 

Hydrogen fuel-cell electric cars (FCEVs) use hydrogen as fuel rather than gasoline. As of now, these vehicles are mostly available in California.  

For the purposes of this article, we’ll primarily discuss measures for electric vehicles because the rest have an alternative fuel source for power. 

How Can I Charge My Electric Vehicle? 

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Electric vehicles plug into one of three charger types, each with varying charging times. EV drivers simply plug an electrical cord into their car from an appropriate charging point. 

Level 1 chargers: These types of chargers use the standard 3-prong 120-volt outlets found in American homes, providing about five miles of driving range for every hour of charging. No home charger installation is required, and most manufacturers supply equipment like cords upon purchasing an electric vehicle. 

Level 2 chargers: These need an electrician for installation — they require outlets similar to those of electric ranges. Many people house level 2 chargers in their garages, with associated installation costs. These chargers are also common in parking spaces or used for workplace charging. The 240-volt boost brings around 25 miles of driving range for every hour of charging. 

Level 3 chargers: Also known as fast charging stations, level 3 chargers can give 100 to 200+ miles per 30 minutes of charging. These chargers use direct current (DC) rather than the alternating current (AC) of the other chargers and are suitable for public areas. Installation costs for a DC fast charger at home are prohibitive. The most famous level 3 chargers are the Tesla Supercharger stations. 

Not all EVs can use DC fast charging and Tesla Supercharger stations because they have different charging ports. Many electric vehicles require a connector too: 

• CCS connector 
• CHAdeMO connector 
• Tesla Combo connector 

The charging times and distances listed above are all averages. Charge point times also depend on the depleted battery’s size, type, and ambient temperature. 

Can I Do My Own Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation at Home? 

No. Always contact an approved electrician to install a level 2 charger at your home. They can advise on the most appropriate site, ensure the circuit is safe, and instruct on its use. 

Installation costs for a level 2 charger at home could set you back at least $2,000 while a Tesla level 2 charger costs around $750-1,500 to install. 

How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car at a Charging Station? 

A DC fast charging station can charge an electric vehicle in 30 minutes, depending on the battery size, charging rate, the current state of charge, and the maximum charging rate of the charge point. Batteries charge more quickly in warmer weather too. A level 2 charger may take 3-8 hours to fill a battery, and a level 1 charger takes anything from 11-20 hours. 

Can Any Electric Vehicle Use a Tesla Charging Station? 

Not every electric vehicle can use the Tesla Supercharger stations. Tesla charging stations require an adaptor to allow non-Tesla cars to connect and charge. Not all EVs can charge up from the Tesla Supercharger DC current either — check with your manufacturer. 

How Much Does It Cost to Run Electric Vehicles? 

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The cost of charging your electric vehicle depends very much on your driving habits, location, and planning abilities. 

Websites like ChargeHub and PlugShare show free electric vehicle charging stations nationwide. However, many states don’t have free (or any) charge points, and Tesla charging stations aren’t free either. 

Some workplaces and businesses offer free electric vehicle charging stations; you may even find EV chargers in a parking lot. Most electric vehicle owners will have to pay to charge their EVs at some point. 

How Much Does It Cost to Charge My EV at Home? 

The final cost to charge up an electric vehicle depends on its mileage, general use, and the cost of electricity at the charge point or your home. 

Electricity is charged in kilowatt-hours (kWh). In June 2022, California’s average rate was just under 29 cents per kWh, with Texas at 13.3 cents per kWh and the national average at 15.42 cents per kWh. 

Electric cars manage between 3-5 miles per kWh. We’ll use four miles per kWh for our examples. For someone driving 1,000 miles per month, that equals 250 kWh monthly electricity usage. 

California cost: 250 kWh x 29 cents = $72.5 a month (x 12) = $870 a year 

Texas cost: 250 kWh x 13.3 cents = $33.25 a month (x 12) = $399 a year 

Average national cost: 250 kWh x 15.4 cents = $38.5 a month (x 12) = $462 a year 

Electric vehicle charging stations usually display prices in kWh or time. These prices are generally higher than home electricity, especially at DC fast charging stations. A full charge may cost between $10-30 at a DC fast charger. However, many offer subscriptions and discounts to help with pricing. 

Gas Car or Electric Car — Is It Cheaper to Drive an EV? 

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There are many costs to consider when comparing gas-powered cars and electric vehicles. Combustion engines come with varying engine sizes and fuel efficiency, and gas prices fluctuate too. 

For a gas-powered car, let’s assume an average fuel efficiency of 36 miles per gallon and that the average gas tank holds 12-15 gallons. For our example, let’s say we drive 1,000 miles a month at a gas price of $4 per gallon with a 14-gallon tank automobile. 

These figures mean we can drive 504 miles per tank. We’ll need to fill up twice per month at $56 per refill, or $112 a month, resulting in an annual spend of $1,344 on gas. That running cost is higher than all our EV examples, in some cases more than four times more. 

However, electric vehicles tend to have a higher sticker price than like-for-like combustion engine cars, by up to $10,000. Installation costs for a level 2 charger at home could reach a further $2,000+, depending on the work required. A Tesla level 2 charger costs around $750-1,500 to install. 

But there are many tax incentives to help people buy electric vehicles, with up to $7,500 to help with purchase costs and extra for level 2 charge installation costs. The U.S. Department of Energy has an incentives checker — you might even be able to get help with your home’s energy bill to help charge your EV. 

Furthermore, EVs typically have lower maintenance costs than combustible-engine cars. Figures show drivers can save between $6,000 and $10,000 over an EV’s lifetime compared to a gas automobile. 

How Much Does an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Cost? 

Current prices suggest a complete electric vehicle charging session at a level 3 charging station is around $10-30, depending on the EV model. 

Are Electric Car Charging Stations Free? 

Yes, the United States has a network of free electric vehicle charging stations. Websites like ChargeHub and PlugShare provide maps to these public charging stations. Don’t forget that some workplaces offer free charging to employees. 

What Are Some Electric Vehicle Charging Station Companies? 

Tesla is probably the most famous electric vehicle manufacturer. Elon Musk’s company also has a network of 35,000+ Tesla Supercharger points, which it claims is the largest charging network in the world. 

There are more than 100 companies with electric vehicle charging stations across the United States. Notable players include EVgo, Nuvve, ChargePoint, and Volta Charging, while local governments and electric utilities are also investing in charge points. 

The expanding industry means carmakers like Toyota and Daimler are entering the market. Fossil fuel giants like Shell and Chevron are investing, and even tech companies like eBay are getting involved. 

Top Tips About Charging Your Electric Vehicle 

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We’ve looked at electric vehicle charging stations, how to find them, and the cost of running electric cars and EV chargers. Now let’s look at some of the more practical day-to-day implications of EV ownership. 

Do Electric Cars Charge While Driving? 

Electric vehicles with only a battery as a power source don’t charge while driving. These EVs must charge up by plugging into a suitable electrical power source. 

Hybrid cars can charge up while driving. When drivers brake, the automobile stores that kinetic energy — the energy of movement — to charge the battery. 

How Long Can an Electric Car Sit Without Charging? 

An electric car can sit for several months without needing charging if left in the right conditions. 

Most experts recommend leaving electric cars with their battery 70-80% full and putting the EV into its deep sleep or power-saving mode before leaving it for extended periods. 

It’s vital to remember that there is always some loss of power in an EV’s battery when left overnight. Cold weather will also decrease the battery’s life. 

Do Electric Cars Lose Charge in Cold Weather? 

Before we answer this, it’s essential to note that traditional gas-powered cars also struggle in cold weather, and owners need to plan for such occasions. 

People in cold regions most likely carry ice scrapers, flashlights, extra clothing, and battery jumper cables in their vehicles. Combustion-engine cars burn through more fuel with the heaters or air conditioning working. As such, it’s not uncommon for drivers to get caught out by cold snaps, run out of fuel, and require rescuing. 

Electric car batteries, like most batteries, lose performance when dealing with sub-zero temperatures. Most experts agree that an EV’s range reduces primarily because of the extra demands on the battery and less by the cold weather slowing the battery down. Running heaters and difficult driving conditions like new snow take their toll on battery life. 

The Norwegians know a thing or two about cold weather and electric vehicles. The Scandinavian country leads the world with 81 EVs per 1,000 residents, compared to 8.5 in Germany and 5.2 in the United States. 

In 2020, the Norway Automobile Federation tested 20 different electric vehicles in its winter conditions to gauge how EV batteries react to cold weather. The Federation’s principal findings were: 

• On average, EVs lose 20% of their average driving range 
• EVs don’t just shut down; they give their drivers multiple warnings before slowing down and stopping 
• EV batteries charge more slowly in cold conditions 

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Overall, people driving electric vehicles in cold weather do need to account for lower performance and distance levels. 

How Can I Save My Electric Vehicle Battery in Cold Weather? 

There are several ways to conserve your EV battery in cold weather. 

If you preheat your car before driving, do so while plugged into a wall charger so as not to drain the battery. Try to keep heating to a minimum while driving, using seat warmers (if you have them) rather than the AC system. 

Use the EV in eco-mode as much as possible, and avoid high speeds and heavy braking. Set regenerative braking to the maximum potential if your hybrid EV allows adjustments to this feature. 

Fun fact: EVs with a drained battery can still drive a short distance after shutting down. Leave it idle for around 30 minutes and then restart the car. There should be enough charge to take you a mile or two, which is helpful if your car stopped just short of an electric vehicle charging station. 

What Happens If an Electric Car Runs Out of Charge on the Road? 

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Like its gas-powered cousin, an electric vehicle will stop on the roadside when it has no power left. Worrying about the driving distance of EVs is called “range anxiety.” But there’s no need to worry — EVs warn when power is running low so you have time to seek an electric vehicle charging station. 

Pull over safely if the EV car is about to stop completely. EV drivers caught miles from a charging station will need to call for roadside assistance. A short recharge from a specialized company may help, although these are not always easy to find. Chances are, you’ll get a tow from roadside assistance to the nearest charging station. 

How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Electric Car Battery? 

Most electric car batteries will cost from $0 to $20,000 to replace, depending on the EV model, battery size, warranty availability, and labor costs. 

Why free? Most manufacturers provide a warranty for the battery. You may be covered for a replacement if it fails or degrades during that warranty. 

Depending on the model, a new battery in a Tesla electric vehicle may set someone back $12,000-$15,000. Fortunately, battery technology is always improving, and replacement prices should fall in the future. 

The Drive for More Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Are You Part of the Movement? 

As EVs become more popular, the United States government has pledged to build a 500,000-strong national electric vehicle charging station network by 2030. This grid would help people uncertain about converting to electric vehicles because of range anxiety. 

Electric cars, like gas vehicles, can run out of power, suffer in the cold, and require care, attention, and journey planning. Charging points also come with a confusing array of converters, plugs, charge speeds, and pricing, which could further enhance doubt for potential EV drivers. 

However, greater sustainability and use of renewable energy, less pollution, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions are all plus-sides of driving EVs. A greater understanding of charging points and more real-life public charging stations is the next part of the electric vehicle’s journey. You never know — in the (near) future, electric vehicle charging stations might be as common as regular gas stations. 

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