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How much current does it take to charge an electric car?

Man, there’s so much to know about electric cars! I want to travel more, but I also want to make sure I know what I’m doing at different charging stations with my Prius Plug-in. Do you know how much electric current I need to charge my EV?

avatar
Elaine Duvet · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
So true!
Electric cars
are complex beings, but the more informed you are about your car, the better. EVs are also expensive, so it’s important to take good care of them and charge them the _right _way! Here’s what we know about how much current you’ll need to charge your electric car:
  • You can use alternating (AC) or direct current (DC) to charge your electric car. You’ll find an alternating current as in most private residences, but a direct current will always be **the fastest method. **
  • There are different types of AC chargers aka Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) to choose from. A Level 1 outlet produces low power at 120-volt AC. And a Level 2 will be much higher at 240-volt AC.
  • The** **three common types of DC chargers are CCS, CHAdeMO, and
    Tesla superchargers
    .
  • Technically,** you only need 15 amps to charge your car, but at that rate, it’s going to take you a **few days to charge your car. Home chargers use** 40 amps **on average and faster-charging stations use about **500 amps. **
Now that you know more about what it takes to power up your Prius, you can feel confident planning
long road trips
across the country. Feel confident about your car insurance coverage as well, as you embark on your new adventures.
If you want cheap car insurance quotes fast, go to
Jerry
. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even help you cancel your old policy once you’ve made your pick.
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