General

EV smarter charging starts here 

As more drivers make the switch to electric vehicles, one question comes up again and again: “How do I charge my EV the right way?”  

It’s all about planning ahead and understanding your options, said Bridgett Petzoldt, product manager at OPPD.  

“Charging your EV doesn’t have to be complicated,” Petzoldt explained. “Once you know the basics like where to charge, when to plug in and which level works best, you’ll save money and keep your car ready for the road.” 

The three levels of charging 

Level 1: the slow and steady option 

• Plug into a standard 120-volt outlet at home. Adds about 3–5 miles of range per hour.  

• “Level 1 is perfect for overnight charging,” Petzoldt said. “If you drive fewer than 40 miles a day, this might be all you need.” 

Level 2: the everyday workhorse 

• Requires a 240-volt outlet professionally installed at home or can be found at more and more workplaces. Adds 20–30 miles per hour.  

• “Level 2 is the sweet spot for most EV owners,” Petzoldt noted. “It’s definitely faster and many can get by only charging their EV a couple of times a week.” 

DC fast charging: the road trip hero 

• Found at public stations around town and often along highways. Adds 60–100 miles in about 20 minutes.  

• “Fast charging is great for long trips,” Petzoldt said, “but it’s not something you want to rely on every day because it can wear down your battery over time and it’s typically not as cost effective compared to charging at home.” 

When to charge

Now that you understand the type of charging you’re probably wondering when you should charge your EV? 

Charging during off-peak hours, usually overnight, helps reduce strain on the grid, delays infrastructure upgrades and often gives you the advantage of overnight wind generation. If your vehicle or charger app give you an option to start charging at a certain time, we recommend setting it to start charging after 11pm.

Better yet, if you have the option to program a departure time, set it accordingly and some technology will automatically charge your EV according to clean energy availability (overnight when wind is abundant or during the day when solar is prevalent). And you’ll jump into a charged car every day.  

More smart charging tips

Lastly, a few smart charging tips to help you keep your EV ready to roll: 

• Avoid frequent DC fast charging to save money and your battery life 

• Keep your battery between 20–80%, which has shown to delay battery degradation 

• In extreme temperatures be sure to pre-condition your battery before charging 

• When it’s cold out, pre-condition or warm your cabin while your EV is still plugged in at home 

• Remember, cold weather can impact EV range, so plan charging into long travel routes accordingly 

“We want EV drivers to feel confident,” Petzoldt said. “The more you know, the easier it is to make smart choices.” 

For more information on electric vehicles, local charging stations or to sign up for our EV community newsletter, visit OPPD’s EV website.