Charging an electric vehicle (EV) is like filling up a conventional vehicle with gas, except the gas station is a charging station, and the fuel is electricity.
Charging a vehicle at “Level 1” means plugging into a standard 120-volt outlet (a typical household electrical outlet). All drivers can charge their EVs at Level 1, which requires no extra equipment or installation. On average, Level 1 provides two to five miles of vehicle range per hour the vehicle is connected.
Level 1 chargers are well-suited to places where people park vehicles for a long time, such as workplaces and homes. EV drivers who typically drive 40-50 miles per day or less may find that a Level 1 charger is adequate for home charging.
Charging a vehicle at “Level 2” means plugging into a 240-volt outlet (the same kind that powers appliances like dryers). On average, Level 2 stations provide 10 to 50 miles of range per hour the vehicle is connected.
Places where EV drivers will be staying for a while are great locations for Level 2 chargers. Level 2 stations offer faster charging than Level 1 chargers but are much less expensive to install than DC fast chargers. Examples of public locations include workplaces and destinations like hotels, retail centers, major attractions like zoos and parks, park and ride lots, and public parking ramps. Residential examples include single-family homes and multi-unit dwellings such as apartment buildings and condominiums. Homeowners who often drive more than 40-50 miles in a day or want the option for faster charging may choose to install a Level 2 charger.
DC fast-charging stations offer the quickest charge available, fully charging a vehicle in around 30 minutes or less, depending on several factors including how “empty” the vehicle battery is, battery capacity, and fast charger’s power output. Additionally, vehicles take longer to charge in cold weather.
The higher the power output of the charger, the quicker the charge:
Fast charging allows EV drivers to travel beyond their home base, making long-distance trips doable in less time. Additionally, they are important in metropolitan settings, with public and private fleets, and for people without good access to home charging. They also boost prospective EV owners’ confidence and reduce perceived range anxiety, helping to increase EV adoption. Further, fast charging stations are critical for increasing EV adoption amongst transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft.
Three plug standards exist in the United States and are used by different vehicles.
Used by: American/European and certain Asian EVs. Examples include the Chevrolet Bolt, BMW i3, Kia e-Niro, and Jaguar I-Pace. Also used by heavy-duty vehicles like transit buses.
Plug standard: Combined Charging System-1 (CCS-1, also known as SAE Combo)
Energy output: 25kW-350kW
Used by: In North America, only the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander. Tesla vehicles can also use with an adapter. However, an announcement made in 2020 signals the shift away from CHAdeMO for new vehicles
Plug standard: CHAdeMO
Energy output: 25kW-150kW
Used by: Tesla vehicles or vehicles equipped with CCS-1 using an adapter.
Plug standard: North American Charging Standard (NACS) or J3400
Energy output: Up to 250kW
Electric utilities, from local municipal to investor-owned utilities, are essential in accelerating EV adoption. Integrating EVs into the electric system can drive down electricity rates for all customers, including those who don’t drive an EV.
If not carefully planned, more EVs charging on the electric grid can require distribution system upgrades. Utilities plan for increased electricity load by encouraging consumers to charge during low-demand times like overnight (i.e., off-peak) through specialized rates and smart charging technology, generally making it cheaper for EV drivers to charge their vehicles.
These time of use rates assess higher fees outside of the low-demand times and can only apply to the entire house or the EV itself. However, applying the rate specifically to the EV generally requires installing a separate meter to track energy usage. However, utilities are beginning to pilot ways to encourage charging during low-demand times without requiring customers to sign up for a whole-home time of use rate or install a separate meter.
Head to our Incentives page for a list of available and upcoming utility-provided incentives on electric vehicle charging stations. To find information about electric utility programs that can lower your charging costs, visit MNCharging.org and select your utility. If you can’t find any information online, give them a call!
Links are provided below to some of the more common programs available in Minnesota.
Many utilities also offer renewable energy programs, allowing EV drivers to reduce their carbon footprint further. The list below provides links to some of the larger programs available in Minnesota. To find information about available electric utility programs that can lower charging costs, visit MNCharging.org and select your utility. If you can’t find any information online, give them a call!
Xcel Energy
Renewable*Connect®
Solar*Rewards®
Solar*Rewards Community®
Minnesota Power
Community Solar Garden
SolarSense
Great River Energy
Revolt
Wellspring Energy Programs
Otter Tail Power Company
TailWinds Wind Energy Program
Beyond utility programs, EV drivers can also power their vehicles directly with renewable energy, making trips emission-free and creating additional cost savings and benefits.
Solar energy is the most common on-site option for linking renewable energy to EV charging. Doing so can maximize the value of the on-site solar production and reduce the grid impacts of EV charging. This option works best if the EV is being charged during the middle of the day, such as when vehicles are parked at home during the day or at workplaces, parking ramps, retail centers, and public amenities like parks. However, technology to link and manage on-site solar production with EV charging is still nascent, so it may not be available for all charging types or utility service areas.