{"id":271,"date":"2021-10-19T15:58:18","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T15:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/drivegreen\/?page_id=271"},"modified":"2026-03-23T13:22:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T17:22:57","slug":"charging","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/drivegreen\/charging\/","title":{"rendered":"Charging"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1672840598457{padding-top: 200px !important;padding-right: 2vw !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/drivegreen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/driveelectricheader2.png?id=1767) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”118″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”right”][vc_btn title=”Find the Electric Vehicle that’s right for you!” style=”3d” color=”info” size=”lg” align=”right” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fdrivegreen%2Fexplore-electric-vehicles%2F”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1634654909868{padding-bottom: 15px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Chargers and Charging<\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”green” border_width=”3″ css=”.vc_custom_1634579954800{margin-top: -40px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Charging an electric vehicle is as simple as plugging in \u2013 but there are some things to know about charging options, connector types, and charging times.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving-fade” css=”.vc_custom_1672840350630{background-color: #ffffff !important;}” el_class=”dggrad2″][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” equal_height=”yes”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Charging Levels<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1634654909868{padding-bottom: 15px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1672771848191{padding-right: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][info-box-shortcode headerclass=”level1″ title=”Level 1″]This is the slowest method of charging but is sufficient for many EV drivers.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd0c Every EV can be plugged into a standard residential 120-volt outlet using the charger cord provided with the vehicle.<\/p>\n

\u231a Level 1 charging provides 3-5 miles of range per hour of charging.* That comes out to 35-50 miles of range for 12 hours of overnight charging.<\/p>\n

\u2714 Most U.S. drivers travel less than 40 miles per day, so Level 1 charging can work well for the average driver.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][info-box-shortcode headerclass=”level2″ title=”Level 2″]For drivers who typically travel more than 40 miles per day or who want a faster charge, Level 2 charging is a great option.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd0c Level 2 chargers plug into a 240-volt or 208-volt outlet (like an electric stove or clothes dryer).<\/p>\n

\u231a Level 2 chargers provide 15-50 miles of range per hour of charging.*<\/p>\n

\u2714 You can install home charging equipment with help from a licensed electrician. Many public charging stations provide Level 2 chargers.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][info-box-shortcode headerclass=”dcfc” title=”Direct Current Fast Charging”]DC Fast Chargers (DCFC), also called quick chargers or superchargers, are popping up all over the country and offer the fastest charging speeds.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd0c DCFC require a 480-volt circuit and can be found at highway rest stops, shopping centers, and community charging hubs. There are three types of connectors that depend on the vehicle make and model \u2013 be sure to know which your vehicle can accept (see connector types below). Then visit the How to Find a Charger<\/a> section below to see which options are available at fast charging sites near you.<\/p>\n

\u231a Plug in at a fast charger to get nearly a full charge from empty in 20-60 minutes.* Note that it\u2019s recommended to charge up to 80% using a fast charger to keep your battery performing at its best.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2714 Fast chargers are perfect for long road trips, extra-long commutes, condo and apartment dwellers, or drivers that need a quick top off.[\/info-box-shortcode][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1672772104700{padding-top: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_message message_box_color=”green” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-asterisk”]Note about charging time:<\/strong> How long it takes to charge up depends on a few things – the size of your battery and how fast it can accept electricity, the power level of the charger and how it\u2019s configured, and how full your battery is when you plug in.[\/vc_message][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving-fade” css=”.vc_custom_1672840367681{background-color: #ffffff !important;}” el_class=”dggrad2″][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Connector Types<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1634654909868{padding-bottom: 15px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Like cell phones, different vehicle brands use different connectors to charge. Be sure to know which one your vehicle uses, and which are available at public charging sites if you need to charge on-the-go.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row gap=”5″ equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1\/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1672839257247{background-color: #d1f4ff !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Level 1<\/h5>\n

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J1772<\/em><\/p>\n

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Tesla<\/em><\/p>\n

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Level 2<\/h5>\n

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J1772<\/em><\/p>\n

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Tesla<\/em><\/p>\n

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DCFC<\/h5>\n

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CCS<\/em><\/p>\n

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CHAdeMO<\/em><\/p>\n

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Tesla<\/em><\/p>\n

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[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving-fade” css=”.vc_custom_1672840383759{background-color: #ffffff !important;}” el_class=”dggrad2″][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Cost of Charging<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1672774211229{padding-bottom: 15px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While the cost of charging depends on a few things \u2013 where you charge (at home or at a public charger), the price of electricity in your area, and the charging level \u2013 overall, filling up your battery is less than half the cost of gasoline.<\/p>\n

Here a few calculators to let you compare the cost of charging an EV versus fueling up a gasoline vehicle:\u00a0 ChargEVC<\/a>, U.S. Department of Energy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Charging at home
\n<\/span><\/b>Your electric rate is one factor in the cost of charging at home. Bigger batteries also take longer to charge than smaller batteries.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=J8StnwrEsXk” el_width=”80″ align=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_color=”green” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-angle-double-right”]An even deeper dive:<\/strong> For electric vehicles, fuel efficiency is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 miles. EVs on the market today get 25-40 kWh depending on driving habits. With the average residential rate of electricity in New Jersey ($0.17 per kWh), the cost per mile is about 4-6 cents. A gas car that gets 24.5 mile per gallon costs around 16 cents per mile to fuel with today\u2019s average gas prices.<\/p>\n

If you travel 1,200 miles per month, your gas car will cost you nearly $200 to fill up. Compare that to the $48-72 added to your electric bill to charge your EV, and the savings are undeniable![\/vc_message][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Learn about incentives for home charging<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] <\/p>\n

Charging On-the-Go
\n<\/strong>Even though most charging is typically done at home, you may still need the occasional charge while out and about.<\/p>\n

Many public charging stations and workplaces use Level 2 chargers – some even offer free charging. Those that have a fee usually accept payment by credit card or through a mobile app. The cost of public Level 2 charging can vary greatly – usually more than you\u2019d pay if you charged at home, but certainly less than you\u2019d pay for the equivalent fueling at the gas pump.<\/p>\n

Fast chargers are usually more expensive than Level 1 or Level 2. DC Fast charging prices can vary greatly. Check out the apps and websites in the How to Find a Charger section below to see the price of charging at a location near you.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_color=”green” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-angle-double-right”]Bonus:<\/strong> Many auto manufacturers offer free charging or charging credits at certain chargers when you purchase or lease your vehicle.[\/vc_message][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_speed_bg=”” css=”.vc_custom_1672838905103{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” el_class=”dggrad2″ el_id=”howtofindacharger”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

How to Find a Charger<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1672837195581{background-color: #ffffff !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]How to Find a Charger<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many EVs have charging station locators built into their on-board navigation system. Apps and websites can also help you find chargers and plan your trips. Some even let you know if a charger is available now, if there is a wait time, and if you can make a reservation.<\/p>\n