Thinking about getting an EV? One of the first questions is: Where will I charge it? Luckily, in California, it’s easier than you probably think. Here’s a quick guide to the three main types of charging options:

Charging your EV

Level 1 Charging

If you drive fewer than 25 miles a day or only a few days a week, charging with a standard household outlet (Level 1) could be all you need. Just plug in, and your car charges overnight. You don’t need to worry about starting from an empty battery since most people top up regularly.

But be aware, from empty to full, a regular plug can take up to 3 days!

Level 2 Charging

If your round-trip commute is more than 25 miles or you take longer drives, a Level 2 charger will be a better fit. It requires a 240V outlet—like the ones used for clothes dryers. You may already have one, but if not, an electrician can install it.

  • Installation costs range from $500 for a basic setup to $2,500 for more complex installations.

  • Good news: Check our incentives page to see if you qualify for rebates or discounts to help cover the cost of installation.

A full charge can take from 6 to 9 hours depending on your plug and vehicle.

DC Fast Charging (Level 3)

If you can’t charge at home or intend to take a longer trip, you’ll need to learn how to fast charge. While many EVs can guide you to nearby stations, we recommend the PlugShare app to find the best, most reliable charging. DC fast-charging stations show up to orange while Level 2 stations appear in green.

DC fast charging your car from empty to 80% can take anywhere from 20 minutes to more than an hour depending on your car and the charger. Plan accordingly!

Making sense of plug types

Image from Recurrent Auto

Most non-Tesla EVs have a J1772 / CCS combo port for charging. However, starting in 2025, many new EVs will switch to Tesla’s NACS standard. No need to worry—charging stations are adding NACS connectors, or you can get a simple adapter to use either port type.

Wherever your travels take you, charging your EV will be easier than you think!