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How Does Electric Vehicle (EV) Public Charging Work?

Fast charging stations use direct current (DC) chargers.

EV Buddy chargers offer the fastest charging speeds available today. Current DC fast chargers supported by Electrify America include the Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors and CHAdeMO connectors. The brand of electric vehicle (EV) you drive will determine which plug you can use. You should be able to find out more about your vehicle’s capabilities from your owner’s manual and the manufacturer’s official website.

CCS and CHAdeMO chargers differ in the speeds at which they can charge. CCS on EV Buddy’s network can charge at speeds up to 350kW, while our CHAdeMO chargers can charge at up to 50kW. EV Buddy stations have CCS chargers with varying speeds, ranging from 50kW up to 350kW. Not all EVs are capable of charging at the charger’s maximum power level. Check with your vehicle’s manufacturer to find out your EV’s charging capabilities.

All EV Buddy charging stations have both CCS and CHAdeMO plugs available. A select number of EV Buddy stations located in metropolitan areas will also support Level 2 chargers. That means it doesn’t matter what kind of EV you drive—just about every EV model can use our stations.

So, just how fast is fast charging?

EV Buddy DC fast chargers are the fastest on the market today 1 and can charge compatible EVs at 350kW. For cars not capable of accepting 350kW, the 350kW chargers will give you the fastest charge your EV can accept.

Many new EVs coming to market will be able to accept 100kW or higher charging power. Electrify America has one of the few networks ready to support this technology.

Fast charging stations are expanding.

More and more DC fast chargers are being built across the United States. Electrify America expects to install or have under development approximately 800 total charging station with about 3,500 chargers by December 2021. Our 50kW to 350kW chargers will be available at charging stations near highways, and 50kW to 150kW chargers will be available in metropolitan areas. 2

AC charging is important, too.

Alternating current (AC) chargers, referred to as Level 2 (L2) and Level 1 (L1) chargers, are typically found in home and workplace settings, as well as in many public locations. These chargers will charge an EV at speeds from 3.3kW to 19kW, and are usually plugged in overnight at home, or during the day at a workplace charger.

L2 chargers typically feature a non proprietary J1772™ connector connector that allows nearly universal connection between the chargers and electric vehicles using the AC charging port. Some select EV Buddy charging stations will have L2 chargers in addition to DC fast chargers.