Electric Cars 101: Answers to Your EV Questions – Consumer Reports

Electric cars achieve the biggest benefits and cost savings when they’re charged overnight at home, when electric rates may be lowest. As another benefit, most electric-car drivers say they find it much more convenient to just plug in at home than to have to stop at a gas station.

It’s possible to charge a plug-in hybrid overnight, even on a standard 120-volt household outlet (Level 1).

“Most PHEV owners will not need a Level 2 charger,” says Gil Tal, director of the Electric Vehicle Research Center at the University of California, Davis. “The Level 1 charger that is provided with the car can charge the battery back to 100 percent overnight.” Tal adds that Level 1 may be sufficient for many electric car owners, as well, if they do not drive more than 40 to 50 miles per day.

It’s worth investing in a wall-mounted charger if you need juice quicker than 120 volts can provide and you don’t have convenient access to a public or workplace charger. Wall units are available online through Amazon, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Sam’s Club, among others. The cost is typically $500 to $700.

Some EV work with bidirectional chargers, which can send power stored in an EV’s battery back into a home if needed. It’s like having a backup battery, or a generator. This feature can come in handy in an emergency when the power goes out. Nissan recently approved bidirectional charger use for the Leaf. A few EVs, including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Genesis GV60, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Rivian R1T, have built-in plugs that can provide short-term electric power for smaller household goods and appliances.

See best home chargers.

You’ll need a professional electrician to install a Level 2 charger. An installation entails putting a special 240-volt receptacle in your garage, like the ones used for a clothes dryer, or by your driveway. Expect to pay about $500 to $1,200 for the work, plus $500 to $700 for the wall-mounted charging unit. Of course, costs will vary depending on your specific setup.

Check your utility and state incentives for discounts and tax rebates on charging equipment, some of which can cut the total cost in half.

Charging on the go is becoming increasingly viable. There are now more than 48,000 U.S. public charging locations, most of them Level 2 (240V) placed in train stations, libraries or supermarkets , and many more on the way. For a long trip you would need a DC-Fast charger. These are only available off major highways or at rest areas. There are apps available to help, such as from Chargepoint and/or Electrify America. These are essential tools for EV owners. There are websites, such as PlugShare, that are helpful for locating public chargers, as well.