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How Fast Can You Really Charge Your Plug-in Car?

plugincars.com -- We are quickly approaching the launch dates of the Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt—the first two globally-distributed and mass-market plug-in cars the world has ever seen. As the public's attention shifts to the battery-powered drive-train and its perceived shortcomings, the question of how long it will take to charge the battery has rightly taken center stage.

To this point, much of the conversation regarding plug-in car charging times has revolved around what kind of charging station you use. In the US, as many of us know, there are essentially three types of charging:

1. A standard 3-prong household outlet, also known as "Level 1 charging"
2. A specialized home charging station, also known as "Level 2 charging"
3. A commercial quick charging station, known alternately as both

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Submitted Aug 31, 2010 By: Jeff4U

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E-Squirrel Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,405 Points:640,880 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2010 3:28:23 PM Ignore E-Squirrel Report Abuse CruisinLinda asserts: "any house that has an outlet for a dryer is a Level 1 charging station." Not true! Many homes have a 220V outlet for a dryer, but there is absolutely no way that you are ever going to get to a vehicle from it. This is just a little bit of common sense...
Lasing Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:11,739 Points:1,845,475 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 6:27:29 AM Ignore Lasing Report Abuse The Volt has a gas powered generator built in, so it doesn't matter if the power is out for 4 or 5 days! Fast charging decreases the life of the battery. I think some people posting here never sleep? Those same people can't read or use google either. The Chevrolet Volt is not stranded after 40 miles of electric unless you don't know how to operate a gas pump. "More likely you'll drive the thing 40 miles in a day and then come home at night and plug it in. When you wake up in the AM it will be fully charged no matter how long it took. But if you only have to drive 40 miles a day, even a charge on a 3-prong outlet is a reasonable 6 hours, so focusing the charging speed becomes less important."
prcoqui Champion Author Maryland Posts:2,250 Points:1,324,140 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 4:18:18 AM Ignore prcoqui Report Abuse For short drives you just need the regulae outlet.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,266 Points:1,142,300 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 4:14:05 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse As for those who say EVs aren't out yet, and they are not going to be practical, that's what they said about fossil-fueled vehicles too. And computers, and the first hand held (well, hand carried bag) phones.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,266 Points:1,142,300 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 4:08:08 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Linda: thinking is best left to horses, they have bigger heads... or so that seems the mentality on here.
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:7,947 Points:1,621,420 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:10:38 AM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse This is very simple really, but it seems to escape the less flexible thinkers: any house that has an outlet for a dryer is a Level 1 charging station. There is no need to call an electrician. If you do, have a Level 2 installed.
TRAIN RIDER Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:6,768 Points:2,298,985 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:29:15 PM Ignore TRAIN RIDER Report Abuse WAIT A FEW YEARS AND THIS WILL ALL BE FIGURED OUT.
2fast4uFL Rookie Author Florida Posts:54 Points:44,680 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:12:52 PM Ignore 2fast4uFL Report Abuse wont be fast enough this technology is still pretty new
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,144 Points:1,145,350 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:46:27 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse Recharging at home makes sense; however, on the road we need battery exchange stations where standardized batteries can be switched in a matter of minutes. Then depleted batteries can be recharged from solar-generated electricity or at night as part of a load balancing scheme.
ashishpa All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:951 Points:217,540 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:45:27 PM Ignore ashishpa Report Abuse better to wait and watch... its still is litter far way from EVs becoming practical alternative for all.
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,258 Points:1,893,540 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:26:00 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse I believe the charging will take place at night, much as I charge my electric wheelchair. It is the hope that through a smart grid, power can be stored in these batteries and used also at night, when power generation is easier because of less load. Conservation keeps your money in your pocket.
LoneGuy Champion Author Lansing Posts:6,148 Points:1,856,780 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:25:03 PM Ignore LoneGuy Report Abuse These rigs apparently will never in the near future be used for major travel. We will have to rent or buy a second vehicle to visit grandma.We will therefor continue to need the oil and gas to make our way in the forseeable future. Sarah Palin has it right when she says we need to develop our domestic resources for both our energy supplies from safe sources, jobs for producers, and energy security as well as our balance of payments to the middle east.
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:3,540 Points:389,685 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:19:11 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse With all the hype about electric cars, no one spelled out the charging situations. You probably could not charge if you did not own your own home. Nor did they spell out how much the charging would cost.
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:6,045 Points:1,815,440 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:19:02 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Not as fast as you would think
Bus561 Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,076 Points:2,753,105 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:17:41 PM Ignore Bus561 Report Abuse People are not going to buy these cars until they get the charge time down to at least the same time it takes to fill one up at a service station.
flyfast Champion Author Kansas City Posts:7,015 Points:1,368,235 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:14:48 PM Ignore flyfast Report Abuse need to be less that 10 min. to work
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:6,388 Points:1,510,745 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:14:25 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse The more I read, the more I DO NOT WANT AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE.
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:4,781 Points:1,069,325 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:14:13 PM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse They should offer an option of generator pedals in the back seat to keep the kids occupied on long trips.
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:5,651 Points:1,490,920 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:11:44 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse hours and hours and hours and hours and hours
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:6,105 Points:1,123,475 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:10:59 PM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse I don't know how long it would take. I do know at this point these cars are only good for local driving.
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:6,474 Points:1,915,715 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:10:15 PM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse Interesting...but not my problem...for awhile!
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,657 Points:1,613,960 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:08:39 PM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse You mean my golf cart??? Who wants an electric car?
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:5,152 Points:1,202,725 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:07:52 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse I found the article very informative.
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:6,673 Points:2,006,475 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:07:20 PM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Won't be "haunting" me for awhile...
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:267,902 Points:1,200,750 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:05:27 PM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse ... "What, me worry?" ...
lolite All-Star Author San Diego Posts:813 Points:415,890 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:58:12 PM Ignore lolite Report Abuse this is good for all, a move foeward
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:6,275 Points:1,143,170 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:57:05 PM Ignore danreino Report Abuse 15 minutes ?!............
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:3,010 Points:611,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:48:53 PM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse It will be a long time before I have to find out.
TFowler513 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,582 Points:978,110 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:45:58 PM Ignore TFowler513 Report Abuse It's all still in its infancy!!!
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:7,205 Points:1,170,885 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:39:16 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Odd that the "expert" on CA traffic is in SLC!
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:3,336 Points:755,050 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:37:45 PM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse When I first looked at the Title of this article, I thought I saw "How Fast Can You Really CHANGE your ..." I thought it was CHANGE your flat tire.
AKmailman Champion Author Alaska Posts:3,298 Points:1,099,495 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:35:57 PM Ignore AKmailman Report Abuse a level .5 charge would probably be a USB port
beachbumCA Champion Author Riverside Posts:10,459 Points:1,206,350 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:34:47 PM Ignore beachbumCA Report Abuse Should not be a big item in car sales.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:3,342 Points:1,112,955 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:34:26 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Electric has still not moved much beyond the golf course carts.
papapacker Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:6,431 Points:1,311,265 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:26:53 PM Ignore papapacker Report Abuse Agree with KEN2OD
Phynque Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:15,682 Points:2,458,560 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:21:33 PM Ignore Phynque Report Abuse Electric cars have such a small market they won't even make a scratch on the need for oil.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:3,820 Points:680,225 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:17:37 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse I think I will just buy two Volts that way I can just switch them drive one and one on the charger all the time.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:6,026 Points:1,216,610 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:15:54 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse Can the car get a loaded car from one home to work and back without a charge.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:5,619 Points:1,114,250 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:14:21 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse Electric is a good alternative for a limited number of users currently. Perhaps as technology develops, the number will increase dramatically
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,628 Points:739,595 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:11:37 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Divebomber - I agree; The question is how far can we all think ahead? The naysayers say, "We can't!". Those who explore innovative ideas and look to the future say, "Why can't we?".
divebomber Champion Author Nebraska Posts:3,714 Points:1,345,415 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:03:45 PM Ignore divebomber Report Abuse I don't feel the question is how fast, but how far we all think ahead!
EVBuddy Champion Author Nevada Posts:14,338 Points:2,568,640 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 9:02:00 PM Ignore EVBuddy Report Abuse Probably overnight
BrucePen Champion Author Ontario Posts:4,665 Points:975,480 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 8:58:26 PM Ignore BrucePen Report Abuse The altimate would be to use solar power stored up all day.
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:7,591 Points:1,887,920 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 8:53:04 PM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse This article is either a best case scenario a pipe dream or a hallucination. In California alone a short commute is 40 miles one way. I don't know what kind of battery draw down they are contemplating but if they have to use head lights and or air conditioning the battery will draw down faster. Their traffic starts picking up at 3 to 4 am. As far as a commercial charging stations go, what is the amount of time you are going to have to wait to get into one? What will it cost? How convenient will it be to where you are working? The electric car and battery have a ways to go. If nothing else how many years will you be able to use the battery? What will it cost to replace? What will they do with the old one? What will your electric car be worth after 5 years. Do lithium ion batteries have a safety problem if they get broken and water spills on the guts of the battery? Why don't they spend some of the money that us used to research batteries and ethanol and make Hydrogen more viable?
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:7,947 Points:1,621,420 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 8:46:15 PM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse How much simpler can it be? Most homes are Level 1 charging stations. You can share the outlet for the clothes dryer and not have to call the electrician. If you call, have a Level 2 circuit installed. If there is no electricity, chances are the electric gas pumps won't work either,
saleboss Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,857 Points:964,560 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 8:40:59 PM Ignore saleboss Report Abuse You realize that the electric utility will raise off peak rates when enough homes have charging stations!
white_fang Rookie Author Dallas Posts:83 Points:74,610 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 8:39:05 PM Ignore white_fang Report Abuse just get used to a bit of planning... like remembering to plug in, when arriving at home garage, for the evening, etc.
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:3,889 Points:815,070 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 8:38:41 PM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse It's about time they got on the market.
mdskier Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,488 Points:1,500,275 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 8:33:41 PM Ignore mdskier Report Abuse a 240 Vac 30 Amp, ie. 6.6kw, (read electric dryer) outlet is the best option for home charging.
AJKPA Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:36,160 Points:1,096,505 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 8:32:14 PM Ignore AJKPA Report Abuse gotta be as fast as pumpin gas