Charging an EV can be cheaper and more convenient than filling up with gas at the pump. Whether you plug-in at home or utilize the 1,600+ public EV charging stations in San José, your EV can be ready to go when you are.
Charging at Home
Charging an EV at home can be easier than you think. Every EV can be charged using a standard wall outlet — just like charging your phone. There are multiple options if you want to charge your EV at a faster rate.
Save when charging at home by signing up for an EV Rate Plan to receive reduced electricity costs when charging during off-peak hours.
Level 1
~4 miles per hour
EV plugs in to a standard 120-volt wall outlet.
Charge Time: This charging method is suitable for overnight charging at home, adding about 40 or so miles of range overnight. Level 1 charging meets most people’s driving needs, as Americans drive less than 40 miles per day on average.
Installation: None! All EVs come with a Level 1 charging cable, which can usually be found the EV’s trunk. This cable can be used to charge your EV at any standard wall outlet, no purchase or special installation required.
Level 2
~30 miles per hour
EV plugs in to a dedicated charging station that is either hardwired into your home’s electrical system or plugged into a 240-volt outlet, like the one that powers your clothes dryer. If you already have a 240-volt outlet that is being used for another appliance near where you would charge your EV, you can install a smart splitter to enable faster EV charging with your existing electrical capacity. Smart splitters intelligently pause your charging session while your appliance is running and will resume charging your EV once the appliance shuts off. Ask your electrical contractor if a smart splitter is right for you.
Charge Time: Faster than Level 1, adds about 30 miles of range per hour.
Installation: Level 2 chargers cost $300-$500 and can be plugged into an existing available 240-volt outlet or using a smart splitter at an outlet currently used by an appliance. A licensed electrician can help you install a new outlet if needed, which can cost $500-$1,000. Some homes may need a panel upgrade to handle the additional electrical capacity.
Permits: A permit from the City of San José is needed to install a Level 2 charging station in a single-family home. Permits for Level 2 EV chargers can quickly be obtained online. Learn more about permitting.
Charging on the Road
San José has over 1,600 public EV charging stations. The State of California is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to ensure that public EV charging is available across the state, with over 100,000 EV chargers available. All EVs are capable of Level 2 charging, while all new EVs are capable of Level 3 charging speeds, also known as Direct Current Fast Charging or DCFC. While public EV charging is more expensive than charging at home, some public chargers are free and SJCE is working to keep public charging affordable for our customers.
Level 2
~30 miles per hour
Most public charging stations are Level 2 and use the same universal charging connector.
Charge Time: About 30 miles of range per hour, or 4-10 hours to charge an EV from 10%-80%.
Cost: Typically $0.20-$0.35 per kWh, or about $12-$25 to fully charge an EV.
Level 3 – DCFC
~100-500+ miles per hour
Some public charging stations charge using direct current and higher voltage, making them fast chargers. Fast chargers vary in power from 50 kW – 350 kW+.
Charge Time: 100-500+ miles of range per hour, or 10 mins-1.5 hours to charge an EV from 10%-80%.
Cost: $0.45-$0.65 per kWh, or $30-$70 to fully charge an EV.
Charging Connectors: Not all EVs utilize the same charging connectors. Almost all non-Tesla EVs utilize the same charging port for charging. Tesla models have their own charging port. There are adapters available to charge Tesla models at non-Tesla charging stations. Many carmakers are adopting the Tesla charging connector for their future vehicles and are supplying free adapters to allow their vehicles to charge at public Tesla charging stations.
For more information about public charging stations and the various charging connectors, please visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center.
Charging Tips
Save time and protect your battery by charging up to 80%: The speed at which an EV charges is not universal throughout the charge — this is called the charging curve. When an EV’s battery is low, it can charge very quickly. As the battery fills up, charging becomes slower. In some cases, charging from 10% to 80% can take the same amount of time as charging from 80% to 100%. Also, frequently charging your battery to full could degrade your battery faster than normal. When charging in public, it may make sense to only charge up to 80% to save time, protect your battery, and make the charger available to another driver who may have a low battery.
When you are finished charging at a public charger, move your car: Assume that there is someone with a low battery waiting to use the charger — we can all help make the charging experience better for one another. Some public chargers may also charge you idling fees for staying parked at the charging station after your EV is charged.
Increase range by driving efficiently: Like gasoline-powered vehicles, driving faster utilizes more fuel. This is especially true with EVs. Driving more conservatively at slower speeds and acceleration can increase your vehicle’s range.
Keep a charger with you: Keeping a Level 1 charger in your trunk allows you to charge on the go if you have access to a standard wall outlet.
Find public chargers: Many of the public charging networks have a smartphone app that you can download to find a charger and pay for charging. PlugShare is a great tool that aggregates all charger locations together to make it easy to find a charger near you, no matter the network. Some public chargers require you to download an app to utilize the charger, though most chargers accept tap to pay via credit card or smartphone wallets.
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