Information You Should Know About EV Charging Stations

Whether you’re trying to decide between hybrid and electric vehicles or you’ve just purchased an EV and you’re trying to learn all that you can, our experts at BMW of Peoria are here to help. We’re going to go over some information about electric vehicle charging stations so that you have an easier time finding out if an EV is the perfect fit for your Pekin lifestyle.

After exploring all about electric vehicle charging stations, be sure to check out our car buying tips so that you’re fully prepared for the car-buying process. Without further ado, discover electric car charging station costs, connector types, and more today with our team at BMW of Peoria!

How Do Electric Car Charging Stations Work? – Charging Levels

When you’re researching EVs, one of the most important things to remember is the level of charging you use can affect your charging times. Charging times can vary between different models but knowing the type of charger to use can help you maximize your time. Let’s take a look at the three main charging levels available for electric vehicles:

• Level 1: Level 1 chargers typically utilize the regular wall outlet available in most Washington homes. This is typically the slowest charging option.
• Level 2: Level 2 chargers often need to be installed by a professional but can still be used in most homes. It charges faster than Level 1 charging.
• DC Fast Charging: DC fast chargers are only available at public charging stations. This is the quickest way to charge an EV.

How Do Electric Car Charging Stations Work? – Different EV Connectors

In addition to the charging rate available at different charging levels, each charging level may also utilize a different connector. Make sure you understand the connector type your EV uses before you begin your adventures around East Peoria. Here are some popular EV connectors that each charging level uses:

• Level 1: Universal chargers that plug into regular 120V wall outlets.
• evel 2: If your EV was made after the year 2000, it likely utilizes a J1772 charging port. This is the most common charging port, even on EV BMW models
• DC Fast Charger: The most common DC fast charger connector is the Combined Charging System (CCS). This charging connector is also known as the SAE Combo or simply just Combo. Unless you’ve got a Tesla, you can expect your EV to utilize CCS for DC fast charging. This is also a charging connector that most EV BMW models use.

How Do Electric Car Charging Stations Work? – Electric Car Charging Station Costs

So, what do electric car charging stations cost? The price can vary depending on the location of the charging station. For the most part, it’s more cost-effective to utilize home charging vs. public charging stations. However, sometimes you may not have the ability to charge in your own Peoria home. Fortunately, electric car charging station costs aren’t exuberant. Some general information about electric car charging station costs include:

• Level 1: Price varies depending on kilowatt-hours used.
• Level 2: Price can range around $15 to $25 for a full charge.
• DC Fast Charging: Price can range around $30 to $45 for a full charge.

Learn More About Making the Switch to an EV Today With BMW of Peoria!

Still on the fence about switching to an electric vehicle? Contact our team at BMW of Peoria and we’ll be happy to go over any questions or concerns you may have about EVs!