Charging Guide

Charging levels, home setups, and public stations

Charging is simpler than it looks. Learn the three levels and how to build a routine that fits your life.

The three charging levels

Level 1: A standard 120-volt household outlet. Slow, adding a few miles of range per hour. Fine for short daily commutes.
Level 2: A 240-volt circuit, like a dryer outlet. The most common home and workplace option, often refilling overnight.
DC fast charging: High-power public stations that can add significant range in under an hour. Best for road trips.

Most owners do the majority of their charging at home. A licensed electrician can tell you whether your panel supports a Level 2 charger.

Many utilities offer time-of-use rates, where electricity costs less overnight. Scheduling your charge for off-peak hours can lower expenses.

Move your car once charging is complete so others can plug in.
At fast chargers, many drivers stop around 80% because charging slows after that point.
Keep cables tidy and report broken equipment through the network app.

Connector: The plug shape on a charging cable. Common types in the US include J1772, CCS, and NACS.
State of charge (SoC): How full the battery is, shown as a percentage.
Charging curve: How charging speed changes as the battery fills. Speed usually drops at higher percentages.
Preconditioning: Warming or cooling the battery and cabin before driving or fast charging.
Time-of-use rate: A utility plan where electricity prices change by time of day.
EVSE: Electric vehicle supply equipment, the technical name for a charging station.
Kilowatt (kW): A measure of charging power. Higher kW means faster charging, within the car's limits.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh): A measure of stored energy, used for battery size and electricity billing.