Whether you’re at home, working or travelling – knowing how, when and where to charge an electric vehicle (EV) is crucial. Learn more below.
When to Charge Your EV
Most of your EV charging happens at home.
When charging at home, we encourage you to charge after 8 pm. This helps us to maintain power supply for you and others, without overwhelming our grid.
Charging Tip: Most EVs come with a timer to use when charging. Use this to set a start or stop time when charging your EV. It’s easy!
Charging Options
When it comes to charging your EV, there are 3 main levels:
| Level 1 – Standard Wall Outlet |
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The EV connects to a 120-volt (V) outlet to charge and uses 1.2 kilowatts (kW) of energy. Estimated Charge Time:
Where You’ll Find One: homes, public or workplace Cost to Install: $0 How it Works: Plug your EV into any standard household outlet. It’s the slowest speed of charging but the easiest. Charging Tip: All EV models come with a portable cord-set that allows you to charge anywhere that has a standard household outlet. It is the slowest speed of charging, but it is the simplest way to charge as it can be done by plugging in at night right at your home. |
| Level 2 |
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The EV connects to a 208 to 240V outlet to charge – similar to the ones used for ovens and clothing dryers. This uses 3.2 to 19.2 kWs of energy. Estimated Charge Time:
Where You’ll Find One:
Cost to Install: $1,000 to $3,000. This includes the charger, electrician and permit costs. Other costs you'll need to consider are upgrades to your electrical panel and power service. This could range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand depending on your home's current power system. We encourage you to contact an electrician to discuss your options. How it Works: To install a Level 2 charger at your home, you’ll need to contact an electrician. They’ll identify technical requirements, like location and if an upgrade to your home’s service or electrical panel is required. For more information refer to the Charger Installation Guide. Charging Tip: Many public charging stations are free to use. For those that are pay-per-use, the average cost is about $1 to $2.50 per hour. |
| Level 3 – Fast Charging Station |
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The EV connects to a charging station using a direct current connection to an electrical system. Typically, these stations use from 50 kW to 350 kW of energy. Estimated Charge Time:
Where You’ll Find One:
Cost to Install: Starts at $80,000 and depends on location, type of charger and equipment. Operating a fast charger requires ongoing operation and maintenance costs as well as energy and demand costs. How it Works: You’ll need to connect to the power grid. You can contact us or check out our Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Charging Tip: Save fast charging for when you need it most. Fees can add up for fast charging. Also, using fast charging station all the time puts extra strain on your battery reducing efficiency and lifespan over time. |
* These charging costs and times are estimates for reference only and actual results may vary.
** Please note that fast charging only charges up to around 80% of an EV battery.
