Electric Vehicle Charging Overview
Imagine never having to stop at a gas station again – and instead, having an unlimited supply of fuel available at home or wherever you normally park. For many electric vehicle (EV) drivers, this is a reality. Battery electric vehicles never need gas, and for short trips, plug–in hybrids might use no gas.
EV charging is simple, cost–effective, clean and convenient, particularly when you are plugged in at home – filling up your car, even while you’re asleep.
There are three categories of electric vehicle (EV) charging: Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging. Levels 1 and 2 charging use a universal connector that can be plugged into any EV. DC fast charging uses three different connector systems called CHAdeMO, CCS Combo and Tesla Supercharger.
Although EV drivers primarily charge at home, workplace and public chargers are increasingly available in communities nationwide. Use our EV Charging Station Map to find nearby charging stations.
Level 1 Charging
Level 1 is the slowest method of charging but is sufficient for drivers who charge overnight and travel 30–40 miles per day. Charging cables usually come with a vehicle and plug into a standard 120–volt AC outlet with no equipment installation required. Level 1 charging works well for charging at home, work or anywhere a standard outlet is available – and when you have sufficient time to charge.
Level 1 charging uses a standard J1772 or Tesla connector that can plug into any EV, either directly, or through an adapter.
Level 1 charging adds about 3.5 – 6.5 miles of driving range per hour of charging time.
Level 2 Charging
Level 2 charging is considerably faster, but requires installing a charging station, also known as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). EVSE requires a dedicated 240–volt or 208–volt electrical circuit, similar to what is required for a clothes dryer or electric range. Level 2 is found at many public and workplace charging stations, but also in many homes. It uses the same standard connector as Level 1 charging, meaning any EV can plug in at any Level 2 charger.
Level 2 charging uses a standard J1772 or Tesla connector that can plug into any EV, either directly, or through an adapter.
Depending on battery type, charger configuration and circuit capacity, Level 2 charging adds about 14 – 35 miles of range per hour of charging time.
DC Fast Charging
DC fast charging, also called quick charging or supercharging, provides the fastest available fill–up. It requires a 480–volt connection, making DC fast charging unsuitable for home use, and not every EV model is equipped for it. Stations offering DC fast charging are found in shopping centers and often along major travel corridors, allowing EV drivers to charge up quickly and take longer trips.
DC fast charging uses CHAdeMO, CCS or Tesla connector systems. Check with your vehicle manufacturer to determine if your car has fast charging capability and what connector systems are compatible with your EV.
Depending on battery type, charger configuration and circuit capacity, DC fast charging can add up to 100 miles of range in about 30 minutes of charging time.
Electric Vehicle Charging Costs
Home Charging CostsThe cost to charge your electric vehicle depends on your vehicle’s battery size and the price of electricity where you live. Most utilities offer time–of–use (TOU) rates that greatly reduce costs associated with charging a vehicle at home by charging during off–peak hours. Contact your utility to find out more. 1
While electricity costs vary greatly, the average cost of electricity in California is about 16.58¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh). 2 At this price point, charging a 40–kWh battery with a 150–mile range would cost about 4.42¢ per mile (or about 6.63 to fully charge). Meanwhile, fueling a 25–mpg gas vehicle at California’s average gas price of 3.11 per gallon 3 would cost about 12.44¢ per mile (or about 18.66 for enough gas to drive approximately 150 miles).
Home charging costs can be offset by hosting your charger on a home charging sharing network. EV drivers can earn money by sharing their home chargers or connect with other hosts to find convenient charging on the go. For more information about how you can earn money by sharing your home charger, please see these popular sharing networks:
Public Charging CostsWhile charging at home is generally preferred, many people also charge their EV at public charging stations. These stations can be free, pay–as–you–go or subscription-based, and are set by networks or property owners. Some vehicle manufacturers, such as Hyundai, Nissan and Tesla also provide complimentary public charging.
One popular public charging network charges members 1.50 per hour to charge on Level 2, and 26¢ per minute for DC fast charging in California. 4 At these rates, charging a 40–kWh battery with a 150–mile range would cost about 8¢ per mile on Level 2, and 9¢ per mile for DC fast charging.
For more information about public charging networks, here are some popular options available in California:
1 A list of utility providers is at https://www.energy.ca.gov/almanac/electricity_data/utilities.html2 https://www.eia.gov/electricity/state3 https://www.energy.gov/articles/egallon-how-much-cheaper-it-drive-electricity4 https://www.evgo.com/charging-plans/
Charging Station Rebates
Rebates for Residential Level 2 Charging StationsMany California utility providers and air districts offer rebates to make home Level 2 charging stations more affordable. Some of the rebates also help to offset the cost of installing the charging station at your home if additional electrical work is required. Find available rebates where you live.
Rebates for Commercial EV Charging StationsProperty owners can take advantage of rebates for installing commercial charging stations for public use. EV charging is a desired amenity for many California drivers and can attract more traffic to your business, improve tenant or employee satisfaction and generate a new revenue stream (fees for charging). Following are incentives that decrease the cost of charger purchases and installation. Visit the websites for more information on program eligibility requirements and funding availability.
Utility Incentives
Air District Incentives
In This Section
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Charger Types and Speeds
EVs can be charged using electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) operating at different charging speeds.
Level 1
Level 1 equipment provides charging through a common residential 120-volt (120V) AC outlet. Level 1 chargers can take 40-50 hours to charge a BEV to 80 percent from empty and 5-6 hours for a PHEV.
Level 2
Level 2 equipment offers higher-rate AC charging through 240V (in residential applications) or 208V (in commercial applications) electrical service, and is common for home, workplace, and public charging. Level 2 chargers can charge a BEV to 80 percent from empty in 4-10 hours and a PHEV in 1-2 hours.
Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC)
Direct current fast charging (DCFC) equipment offers Rapid charging along heavy-traffic corridors at installed stations. DCFC equipment can charge a BEV to 80 percent in just 20 minutes to 1 hour. Most PHEVs currently on the market do not work with fast chargers.
Level 2 and DCFC equipment has been deployed at various public locations including, for example, at grocery stores, theaters, or coffee shops. When selecting a charger type, consider its voltages, resulting charging and vehicle dwell times, and estimated up-front and ongoing costs.
The figure below shows typical Level 2 and DCFC charging stations 1.
EV Charging Minimum Standards Rule
FHWA, with support from the Joint Office of Energy Transportation, unveiled new national standards for federally funded EV chargers in February 2023. These new standards aim to ensure that charging is a predictable and reliable experience for EV drivers. This includes ensuring that drivers can easily find a charger, do not need multiple apps and/or accounts to charge, chargers work when drivers need them to, and are designed to be compatible in the future with forward-looking charging capabilities.
The rule establishes minimum technical standards for charging stations, including required number of charging ports, connector types, power level, availability, payment methods, uptime/reliability, EV charger infrastructure network connectivity, and interoperability, among other standards and requirements.
Overview of EV Chargers
The below table summarizes the typical power output, charging time, and locations for PHEVs and BEVs for the different charger types. For more information on the power requirements of different chargers, see the Utility Planning section of the toolkit.
1 Note that charging speed is affected by many factors, including the charger manufacturer, condition, and age; air temperature; vehicle battery capacity; and vehicle age and condition.
2 Different vehicles have different charge ports. For DCFC, the Combined Charging System (CCS) connector is based on an open international standard and is common on vehicles manufactured in North America and Europe; the CHArge de Move (CHAdeMO) connector is most common for Japanese manufactured vehicles. Tesla vehicles have a unique connector that works for all charging speeds, including at Tesla’s “Supercharger” DCFC stations, while non-Tesla vehicles require adapters at these stations.
3 AC = alternating current; DC = direct current.
4 Assuming an 8-kWh battery; most plug-in hybrids do not work with fast chargers.
6 To 80 percent charge. Charging speed slows as the battery gets closer to full to prevent damage to the battery. Therefore, it is more cost- and time-efficient for EV drivers to use direct current (DC) fast charging until the battery reaches 80 percent, and then continue on their trip. It can take about as long to charge the last 10 percent of an EV battery as the first 90 percent.
Charging Your Vehicle
Imagine never stopping at a gas station again, and instead, have an unlimited supply of fuel available at home or wherever you normally park. For many electric car drivers, this is a reality. All-electric cars never need gas, and for short trips, plug-in hybrids might use no gas.
Electric car charging is simple, cost-effective and convenient, particularly when you are plugged in at home—filling up your car even while you’re asleep. How long it takes to charge depends on the charging equipment and the size of the car’s battery and its available charging capacity.
Although electric car drivers primarily charge at home, workplace and public chargers are increasingly available in communities nationwide.
There are three convenient ways to charge your electric car.
I can charge at home any time I want, and it is quiet and drives beautifully!
It’s so quiet and quick. I wake up everyday with a full charge, ready to go.
No need to gas up weekly! After work I just come home and plug my car in.
See how easy it is to charge? Now compare electric cars and find out more about range.
Charging Basics
You can charge your electric car using standard 120 volt(V) home outlets (Level 1), 208-240V outlets like those used by your dryer (Level 2), or dedicated 480V public fast chargers (DC Fast Charging). The time it takes to charge using each of these three options depends on your drive and the size of the battery. Charging speed is also determined by the size of the vehicle’s on-board charger and the power lever of the charging equipment.
Level 1
Level 1 charging uses a standard 120-volt plug. Today, new electric cars come with portable charging equipment to allow you to plug in to any 120-volt outlet. Typically, the average daily commute of 40 miles can be easily replenished overnight with a Level 1 charger.
Level 2
In most cases Level 2 charging requires charging equipment to be purchased and installed. The typical Level 2 charger can replenish the same 40 mile average daily commute in less than 2 hours.
DC Fast Charging
DC fast chargers can provide 10 to 20 miles of range per minute.
DC Fast Charging is for public charging stations only and not for home use.
Most fully electric cars are equipped for DC Fast Charging today, but always be aware of your car’s charging connector before you try to plug in. You will either have a Tesla connector that can be used at a Tesla Supercharger, an SAE Combo connector or a Chademo connector.
Want to learn more on Fast Charging?
Check out this Quick Guide to Fast Charging by ChargePoint.
Level 1 and Level 2 Charging Options
Level 1: Electric cars come standard with a 120-volt Level 1 portable charger. Yes, these chargers can be plugged into a simple household outlet, and don’t require any special installation. Pretty cool, right?
Level 2: Drivers can also pursue a higher-powered Level 2 unit for sale and installation in their home. Shop Level 2 chargers and learn about incentives using our Home Charging Advisor. Learn more about home charging with our FAQs.
Tesla’s electric cars come with a plug-in 120/240-volt Level 1/2 charger. These require a 240-volt outlet, which most owners need to have professionally installed.
In general, most electric car drivers want the assurance and convenience of a quicker charge and eventually install the 240-volt, Level 2 charging ability in their home.
Home Charging Advisor
Find chargers and apply for incentives for charging your EV at home.
See how easy it is to charge? Now compare electric cars and find out more about range.
Workplace Charging
If charging at home is not an option or if you need to “top off” during the day for an extra errand, workplace charging is another convenient location to charge your car. Many employers are installing charging for their employees, so check with your company to see if this is an option for you.
If your employer has not implemented workplace charging yet, you can advocate that workplace charging is a good move. You can also provide them resources to help them consider the benefits.
Public Charging
Never fear! There are so many great charging station locators and mobile apps that help you find public charging stations when and where you need it. You can now expect public charging stations in public parking lots at the mall, the grocery store, movie theaters, community centers, arenas, hotels and airports.
Many are free or are offered at affordable prices, usually much less than the cost of gasoline.
You can search by charging speed and even by the station location you are interested, if it is available or currently in use.
Be sure to check with the car manufacturer and electric car driving manual for charging options that are right for your electric car. You may also need a subscription to charge with some of these networks, so plan ahead and do your research before going on that long road trip.
If you are a city or county looking to install public chargers in your area, check out the permitting video and resources to learn more about how you can increase charging in your area.
Charging point at home
ELECTRIC CAR HOME CHARGING
Start every day with a full charge.
When it comes to charging your Jaguar, there’s no place like home. Simply plug in your vehicle on an evening – just as you would your mobile phone – and by morning you can be fully charged and ready to go.
HOME CHARGERS – THE PERFECT WAY TO RECHARGE
For the fastest charging time at home, we recommend a professionally installed home charger – also known as a wall box or home charging point.
Installation will typically require private off-street parking – such as a driveway or garage – to connect to your home’s electricity. Please check the suitability of your property with your chosen home charger provider.
A home charger will charge an all-electric car overnight and deliver up to 35km (22 miles) 1 of range from 60 minutes using a 7kW supply.
Charging at home is not only convenient, the cost of electricity is less per kilometre compared to petrol and diesel. And you can reduce this further with an off-peak electricity tariff.
Home chargers from industry-approved providers are designed to be used in all weather conditions.
CHARGING TIME USING A HOME CHARGER
OUR RECOMMENDED HOME CHARGING PARTNERS
To find out who our recommended home charger (Wall Box) providers are for your area, please visit your local Jaguar Retailer.
OUR RECOMMENDED HOME CHARGING PARTNERS
To find out who our recommended home charger (Wall Box) providers are for your area, please visit your local Jaguar Retailer.
ARRANGING YOUR HOME CHARGER INSTALLATION
To start your home charger installation process, choose your home charging provider. Your Jaguar Retailer can help you get started.
Your chosen charging provider will undertake a survey over the phone or online to determine the suitability of your property for a wall box.
ARRANGE INSTALLATION DATE
Agree an installation date with your chosen provider. If you qualify for a government grant to help with the installation cost, your provider will do this on your behalf.
Once your installation date comes around, your chosen provider will install your wall box and talk you through the basics of charging.
DOMESTIC SOCKETS PROVIDE ADDED PEACE OF MIND
If you’re away from home for longer periods and a home charger is not accessible, the standard domestic plug socket used for electric household items will also charge your vehicle at a much slower rate. This is achieved by simply plugging in your Jaguar’s optional Domestic Plug (Mode 2) charging cable.
JAGUAR ALL-ELECTRIC AND ELECTRIC HYBRID CARS
Experience Jaguar’s world of electrifying performance with our range of all-electric and electric hybrid cars.
JAGUAR ALL-ELECTRIC AND ELECTRIC HYBRID CARS
Experience Jaguar’s world of electrifying performance with our range of all-electric and electric hybrid cars.
Familiarise yourself with the simple steps to charge your all-electric or plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV), whether you’re at home or on the go.
With an ever-growing infrastructure of public charging points, charging away from home is more accessible than ever.
ALREADY OWN AN ELECTRIC JAGUAR?
ALREADY OWN AN ELECTRIC JAGUAR?
Connect to the features at the heart of your electrified world and understand the simple steps to charging at home and on the go.
1 Charging times will vary dependent on many factors, including but not limited to: the age, condition, temperature and existing charge of the battery; facility used and duration of charge.
‡ The figures provided are NEDC2 calculated from official manufacturer’s WLTP tests in accordance with EU legislation with a fully charged battery. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2, fuel economy, energy consumption and range figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load, wheel fitment and accessories fitted. NEDC2 are figures calculated using a Government formula from WLTP figures equivalent to what they would have been under the old NEDC test. The correct tax treatment can then be applied.
Official Fuel Consumption Figures: N/A (not applicable); Figures for the I-PACE in kWh/100km (miles): Combined 22,0-25,2 (35,4-40,5). CO2 Emissions 0 g/km. EV Range: Up to 470km (292 miles). The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation with a fully charged battery. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. Energy consumption and range figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load, wheel fitment, accessories fitted, actual route and battery condition. Range figures are based upon production vehicle over a standardised route.
Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the F-PACE range (excluding plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV)) in I/100km (mpg): Combined 6,2-12,2 (45,6-23,2). WLTP CO2 Emissions 163-275g/km. Plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) in l/100km (mpg): Combined 2,2 (128,4). WLTP CO2 Emissions 49g/km. EV range figures are based upon production vehicle over a standardised route. Range achieved will vary dependent on vehicle and battery condition, actual route and environment and driving style. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2, fuel economy, energy consumption and range figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load and accessories.
† Official Fuel Consumption Figures for E-PACE plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) in l/100km (mpg): Combined 1,4 (201,8). CO2 Emissions 32 g/km. EV Range: Up to 62km (39 miles). The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation with a fully charged battery. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2, fuel economy, energy consumption and range figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load, wheel fitment, accessories fitted, actual route and battery condition. Range figures are based upon production vehicle over a standardised route.
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What does a ‘standard installation’ involve?
We split all installations into two categories: ‘standard’ and ‘non-standard’.
A standard installation is likely to involve fewer hours of labour and materials.
We take into account factors such as:
- How long will it take to run a cable from your main fuse box to your charger? Will we need to drill through any walls?
- Distance from the charger to the main fuse box – how far away from your main fuse box is the desired charger location? Is it over 10m?
- Is your cable going above or below ground? Anything that requires digging will generally take longer
- Do you have a single-phase meter? Most households in the UK have a single-phase meter. If your property has 3 phase supply, you have more power available but the installation will get a bit more complex.
Our team will talk you through the different factors that will impact your installation (and installation cost) so that there are no surprises on the day.
A ‘standard’ chargepoint installation generally includes:
- The fitting of the charger on a brick or plaster wall, (or other suitable permanent structure)
- Routing of the cable through 1 x drilled hole in a wall up to 500mm thick (where required)
- Up to 10 metres of appropriate cable, run and clipped to the wall between the consumer unit and the EV charger, up to a height of up to 1.8m
- Electrical connections at the origin of the supply and the charging unit
- Type A RCD in metal Consumer Unit
- Electrical testing and NICEIC Certification
- Demonstration of the Chargepoint functions and App.
Do I have to be an Octopus Energy customer?
Nope! Anyone can apply for a charger installation.
How much does an installation cost?
Our charger installations start from £999 for a standard installation. We’ll be able to let you know what kind of installation you require once you complete the application form.
How is the cost of an EV charger installation calculated?
Every home is different, and every customer has their own preferred setup, so it makes sense that every charger installation is unique.
There are a number of questions to consider when installing your EV charger, from where you want the chargepoint to be, how you want it to look, and where your fuse box is situated. So what kind of things do we take into account when giving you a quote?
- Does your charger of choice have a tethered lead (attached to the chargepoint) or do you want an untethered charger?
- How long does the cable that runs from the fuse box to the chargepoint need to be?
- Where do you want the charger to be installed?
- Aesthetically, do you want the cable hidden where it runs along the wall inside your house,
- Do you want your cable to run underground outside your house?
We’ll be able to work out some of this information such as whether the electricity supply coming into the house is suitable for a car charger, or whether the fuse box might need an additional fuse to accommodate the EV charger.
At Octopus we can be pretty flexible when it comes to meeting your needs, but as a rule of thumb the longer the installation takes us the higher the overall install cost will be.
What will I need for a remote EV charger survey?
You’ll need to answer some questions about where you want the EV charger to be installed, and send us some photos so we can check your eligibility. That way we can decide how best to go about your installation.