Electric Vehicle and Charging
Electric vehicles (EVs) run on electricity stored in a rechargeable battery instead of gasoline, and most owners charge at home, often overnight. This page explains the types of electric vehicles, the three levels of charging, what home charging involves, and how some vehicles can provide backup power.
How It Works
Battery electric vehicles run entirely on electricity and produce no tailpipe emissions. Plug-in hybrids have a smaller battery for shorter trips and a gasoline engine for longer ones. Charging speed is usually described in miles of range added per hour. In Thousand Oaks, the City’s default electricity service through Clean Power Alliance is 100% Green Power, so charging at home on the default service uses renewable electricity. Chargers fall into three levels:
- Level 1 uses a standard 120-volt household outlet and the cord supplied with the vehicle. It adds roughly three to five miles of range per hour, or about 40 to 50 miles overnight, and needs no installation.
- Level 2 uses a 240-volt circuit, similar to an electric dryer or range, and adds roughly 20 to 40 miles of range per hour, depending on the charger and vehicle. It is the most common choice for home installation and requires a dedicated circuit and a permit or a circuit-sharing device.
- Level 3, also called DC fast charging, is found at commercial and public locations such as shopping centers and along highways. It can recharge most vehicles to about 80 percent in roughly 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the vehicle and charger. Level 3 chargers require commercial-scale electrical service and are not installed in homes.
At home, a load calculation determines whether a Level 2 charger fits on the existing electrical panel without load sharing or a panel upgrade. Level 2 chargers come in different amperages, and lower-amperage models use less panel capacity while still providing enough overnight range for typical daily driving. A circuit-sharing device can let a charger share an existing 240-volt circuit, and load-management devices can automatically slow or pause charging when other appliances are running. On a time-of-use rate, most vehicles and chargers can be scheduled to charge during off-peak hours. Some EVs and plug-in hybrids can also supply power, either through outlets built into the vehicle or, with compatible bidirectional charging equipment, a licensed electrician, and a permit, by powering selected home circuits during an outage. Capability varies by model and trim.
