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How do you use an electric car battery charger?

I just bought a brand new Nissan Leaf EV and I can’t wait to take it on a road trip to Big Sur with my girlfriends. But…how do I actually _charge _my car? Does it take a long time? How does charging an electric car battery work?

avatar
Elaine Duvet · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Excellent choice, my friend! The Nissan Leaf EV is a safe and spacious ride, perfect for traveling up the California coast with friends! Here’s what we recommend for charging your new electric vehicle:
You can **charge your new EV at home, work, or a public charging point **located at a service station or along the road.
More often than not, you’ll find it most convenient and cost effective to charge your EV at home overnight. However, charging your car every night is not usually recommended.
If you’re out and about, payment for public charging systems is usually pretty straight-forward. Be prepared to pay with a special card or an app on your smartphone. Some stations even have contactless payment where you can use the debit or credit card of your choosing.
How long it will take to charge your EV depends on a couple of different factors:
  • Car battery size (expressed in kilowatt-hours “kWh”)
  • The speed of the charger
  • How much electrical current your car can handle.
The larger the kWh number on your car, the bigger the
battery
and therefore the longer it will take to fully charge. Since your Nissan Leaf has a 40kWh battery, it’s going to need to charge for about 12 hours.
Typically, you’ll be able to use a standard connector between 120V and 240V (which is typically an upgrade sold separately). And it’s as simple as plugging one end of the charger in your car and the other in a 120V outlet.
Most electric vehicles will be able to drive between 200 to 250 miles per charge.
Now that you’re all set for the open road, it’s important to double check that you’ve got the best car insurance for your new ride. If you’d rather spend more time planning your travels than researching policies, let
Jerry
do the hard work for you. The Jerry app collects quotes from 50+ top insurance companies, like Nationwide, Allstate, Safeco, and Progressive. Jerry even helps cancel your old policy once you’ve made your selection.
Make sure to check out the
Big Sur
Bakery! Their ginger scones are next level!
MORE: Battery Range for Electric Vehicles Could Surpass 600 miles, Thanks to This Automaker
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