All things EV

Charging costs vary based upon time, place, state of charge, and total battery size; however, it's typically cheapest to charge at home than through third-party fast chargers.

You can estimate the cost to charge a full electric vehicle in your area with our EV charging cost calculator.

Charging an electric vehicle depends on battery capacity, charger type, charging rate, and battery state of charge, though you can typically expect these rates:

Level 1: about 3-5 miles of range per hour 

Level 2: about 10-20 miles of range per hour 

Level 3 (DC Fast Charger): about 60-80 miles of range for every 20 minutes 

The three most common charging plugs that have been offered on BEVs and PHEVs are as follows:

CCS / J1772 – The CSS / J1772 plug has been the most common in North America and had been the market standard until 2023.  It has two variations, the standard J1772 plug with 5 pins that supports Level 1 and 2 charging, or the enhanced CCS (Combined Charging System) plug that adds 2 pins (for 7 total) and supports DC fast charging. 

NACS – While used only by Tesla until 2023, most automakers have announced they’ll switch future models sold in the US to use NACS (North American Charging Standard).  The NACS plug is smaller than the CCS and, for some, easier to handle.

CHAdeMO – The “Chad Mo” plug is a Japanese-market standard and was used on early BEVs/PHEVs like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, though both automakers have said they'll move to other standards in North America.

The CCS, NACS, and CHAdeMO all support DC fast charging; however, when using a public fast charger you’ll need to find one that has the appropriate plug for your vehicle.

There are several benefits to an electric car but for many, they might seem like a big step. Whether you want to live a more green-conscious lifestyle or just want to stop taking frequent trips to the gas station, an electric car is an excellent choice with a variety of options whether you want a sleek luxury, a practical SUV, or a compact for daily driving.

If you're interested in an electric vehicle (EV) and want to keep researching, you're in the right place: here's what you need to know about how to buy an electric car.

Electric cars offer a longer lifespan than traditional gasoline-powered cars due to their simplicity with fewer moving parts, regenerative braking, and durable batteries, though check out our in-depth information about how used EVs hold up.

Factors like driving habits and climate still influence an electric car's lifespan. Regular maintenance and warranties contribute to prolonging the car's lifespan.