Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids are gaining in popularity and are in demand more than ever. While the demand for electric cars is growing, owners and future owners need help demystifying the different charging solutions for EVs. That's why we've created this handy guide!
Through this EV charging guide, you'll learn more about the 3 places where you can charge an EV, the 3 different levels of charging available in North America, as well as fast-charging stations, charging times and different connectors. You'll also discover an essential tool for public charging, as well as links to useful resources to answer all your questions.
 1) Home charging |
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Before going into detail, it's important to understand the different terms used to describe a charging station. They are often used interchangeably, but there are slight differences.
The place where an electric car or plug-in hybrid is charged the most is at home. In fact, home charging accounts for more than 80% of charging sessions carried out by EV drivers. So it's important to understand the types of charging solutions available, and their advantages.
There are 2 types of charging solutions available for the home, i.e., Level 1 charging and Level 2 charging.
We recommend the use of a Level 2 charging station for all electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, to enable you to charge faster and get the most out of your EV's charging capacity. Provincial and municipal incentives are available in some regions to help cover the cost of purchasing and installing these charging stations.
To take full advantage of all the benefits of charging at home, you need a Level 2 home charging station.
Charging at home is usually done in the evening and overnight. Simply plug your charging connector into your electric car when you get home from work in the evening, and you'll have a full battery the next morning. Since in most cases, an EV's range is sufficient for all your daily commutes, you won't have to stop at public chargers for charging! You can charge your electric car at home while you're eating, playing with the kids, watching TV and sleeping!
Another advantage of home charging is the low cost of electricity compared with the cost of public charging stations and gasoline.
 1) Charging Levels |
 2) Charging Station Connectors |
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As for Level 3 charging stations (also known as DCFCs or fast-charging stations), they offer much greater power than Level 1 and 2 stations, and can charge an EV much more quickly. However, some vehicles cannot be charged using Level 3 chargers. So it's very important to know the maximum capacity your electric vehicle's battery can accept.
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Level |
ChargeHub Markers |
Power (kW) |
Approximate Charging Time (Empty Battery) |
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1 |
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1 |
200 km : +/- 20 hours 400 km : +/- 43 hours |
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2 |
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Typically 7kW, but can vary between 3kW et 20kW |
200 km: +/- 5 hours 400 km: +/- 11 hours |
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3 (DCFC) |
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Typically 50kW, 100kW 150kW, 180kW or 350kW, but can vary between 20kW and more than 350kW |
80% +- 15 à 60 minutes according to the power of the charger and the battery capacity of the car |
A Level 1 charging station plugs into a conventional 120-volt wall socket. This is the charger that usually comes with your EV. It's the slowest charger: you'll need around twenty hours to fully charge your electric vehicle, and several hours for a plug-in hybrid.
A Level 2 public charging station is the equivalent of a residential charging station installed at home. The majority of public charging stations are Level 2. Please note that RV plugs (14-50) are also considered level 2 chargers.
A fast-charging station, also known as a DCFC, DC Fast Chargers, or "level 3," is the fastest way to charge your electric vehicle. It's important to note that not every EV can charge with level 3 chargers.
First of all, we recommend that you avoid Level 1 charging stations, which are far too slow for your needs when on the go. On the other hand, if you want to charge as quickly as possible, we recommend Level 3 fast-charging stations. These charging stations will enable you to achieve a high level of autonomy in a very short time. That said, charging your electric car using a DCFC station is only effective if your EV's battery level is below 80%.
When the battery is charged to more than 80% of its capacity, the charging speed slows down significantly and approaches the charging speed of a Level 2 charging station. If your car’s battery is already charged to 80% or more, it's best to connect your electric car to a Level 2 charging station to take advantage of lower charging costs, or to continue on to your destination. Finally, if time is not a constraint and you plan to stop for several hours, you can opt for Level 2 charging, which is slower but less expensive.
The most common connector is the SAE J1772 universal connector. All electric vehicles can be charged with this connector, which is the standard in Canada and the USA (with an adapter for Tesla cars).
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Connector: Port J1772 Level: 2 Compatibility: 100% of electric vehicles Tesla: With adapter |
For fast-charging stations, CHAdeMO and SAE Combo (also known as CCS for "Combo Charging System") connectors are the most widely used by most charging network operators.
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Connector: CHAdeMO |
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Connector: SAE Combo CCS |
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Connector: Tesla HPWC |
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Connector: Tesla supercharger |
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Wall outlet: Nema 515, Nema 520 |
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Wall outlet: Nema 1450 (RV plug) |
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Wall outlet: Nema 6-50 |
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Amp Up
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Astria
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Azra
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BC Hydro
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Blink
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Chargelab
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Chargepoint
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Circle K
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Circuit Électrique
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City Vitae
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CO-OP Connect
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eCharge
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Electrify America
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Electrify Canada
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EVlink
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EV Range
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EVConnect
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EVCS
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EVduty
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evGateway
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EVgo
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EVMatch
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EVolve NY
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EVsmart
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Flash
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Flo
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FPL Evolution
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Francis Energy
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GE
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Go-Station
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HyperCharge
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Ivy Charging Network
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Livingston Energy Group
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myEVroute
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NL Hydro
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Noodeo EV
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OK2Charge
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On the Run
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OpConnect
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Petro-Canada
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Powerflex
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RechargÉco
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RED E
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Rivian
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SemaConnect
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Stay-N-Charge
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Shell Recharge
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Sun Country Highway
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SWTCH
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SYNC EV
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Tesla
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Universal
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Volta
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Webasto
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ZEF Energy
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Workplace charging is very similar to home charging in the way it works. Workplace charging can be offered by employers to their employees. Depending on your commuting habits, workplace charging could meet the majority of your travel needs. When workplace charging is offered, Level 1 or 2 charging stations are generally made available to employees with electric or plug-in hybrid cars, in company parking lots.
Electricity costs for charging at work are often covered by the employer, which means you could charge your EV for free. The employer may also charge a fee for the use of the charger, but the price is often lower than that of a public charger.
