EV Charging Levels and Types

Ready for an electric vehicle for your drives around San Diego? We can help lower your refueling and maintenance costs on daily commutes and weekly errands in Kearny Mesa with a new vehicle that doesn’t use gasoline at all. Choose from a Kia EV6, a Kia EV9, or a Kia Niro EV if you want all-electric power for your drives. Consider a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) to get the best of both worlds with all-electric driving for 20 to 30 miles and gasoline the rest of the way to Kearny Mesa or Kearny Mesa.

One key to having an EV or PHEV is understanding EV charging levels. That’s because you can charge your EV at home in your garage or at public charging stations around San Diego and along major routes and highways as well as in and around major cities such as San Diego. Read our guide to the EV charging levels and types to learn more from Kearny Mesa Kia.

Three EV Charging Levels Available at Home and When Traveling

You have three different EV charging levels to choose from:

• Level 1 EV charger at home
• Level 2 EV charger at home or in public
• Level 3 EV charger at public stations

These EV charging levels all have different charging times, which we’ll get into now.

Level 1 EV Charger: Domestic Outlet Home

You can use a standard, grounded (three-prong) 110V/120V outlet in your home as a Level 1 EV charger. It’s the slowest type of charging available due to the amount of electricity needed to charge your Kia vehicle. You could charge an EV in 24 to 48 hours from 10% to 100% using a Level 1 EV charger. It’s great for topping off your battery after commuting and running quick errands but not for fully charging it following a long trip. You’ll get an estimated range of 2 to 5 miles per hour using a J1772 connector for your EV.

Level 2 EV Charger: Faster Charging in a Garage or in Public

Having a Level 2 EV charger in your garage is much faster than Level 1. You will need to have a professional electrician install a Level 2 EV charger in your garage or carport. A Level 2 charging box can fully charge an EV in 8 to 12 hours, depending on the vehicle’s battery size and the level of charge still in the battery. This type of charging uses 240V, and the J1772 connector works here as well.

Many public charging stations utilize a Level 2 EV charger. Some public stations charge money while others do not. Look for these charging stations at retail stores, hotels, apartment complexes, and even car dealerships.

Level 3 EV Charger: Public Stations & The Fastest Charging Method

Also known as DC Fast Charging, a Level 3 EV charger delivers electricity quickly to achieve 80% of full charge in as little as 30 minutes. You can use this type of charger when you’re away from home on a road trip or weekend getaway beyond the San Diego area. You could charge up to 180 to 240 miles in one hour. Even if a Level 3 EV charger costs money, it’s still cheaper than gasoline! A Level 3 EV charger uses 400V or more and uses a CCS connector or CHAdeMO connector.

Test-Drive a New EV for Sale at Kearny Mesa Kia

We invite you to see a new Kia EV in person to see what these vehicles can do. Contact us or call 844-824-9673 to schedule a test drive with our team. We think you’ll love one of these vehicles from the moment you sit in the cabin.