When you drive an electric car, a charger is essential for charging at home or in public places. There's also a lot to learn about different types of chargers and their speed capabilities, as well as terminology that's new to many EV owners. It's easy to get confused by the variety of watts, plug modes, power flow types (AC and DC), battery capacity possibilities, estimated range, distance to empty, and more.

The best EV chargers have built-in timers to let you take advantage of cheaper electricity rates that typically apply between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Some offer other features like the ability to communicate with your local utility and participate in demand response programs. These advanced chargers are more common in workplace and multiunit dwelling (MUD) settings where multiple people share a single electricity bill, but they can be installed at homes as well.

If you're shopping for an EV charger, make sure the model is compatible with your vehicle. A charger that is rated higher than your vehicle's maximum charge capability will overcharge the battery, which can lead to degradation and damage. A charger that is too slow may not charge your vehicle in a timely manner, especially when you're parked for extended periods of time.

EV charging stations are located in parking lots, workplaces and apartment complexes, and some retail locations. Some are free, while others require a payment system similar to those found in traditional gas stations. Some are even open to the public, but many are reserved for specific customers and members of a particular organization or community.

The type of charger you use at home will depend on whether you have a garage or other space to install a dedicated charger. If not, you'll need to find a way to run a dedicated electrical line from your home's breaker box to where you plan on installing the charger. Fortunately, a nationwide network of electrical contractors can handle the installation for you for a few hundred dollars or less.

The most basic at-home EV charger is a Level 1 charger, which simply plugs into a regular 120-volt outlet, such as the one that came with your EV or a standard wall outlet in your house. It can charge your EV from empty in about 40 to 50 hours, though it's important to note that this is slower than filling up a traditional gas tank. Most EV owners choose to purchase a higher-powered Level 2 charger. These can plug into a standard outlet, but they also deliver AC fast-charging that can replenish your battery in about half the time of the onboard charger. In addition, some offer communication with your utility to enable load-sharing among two chargers on a single circuit without tripping the breaker. These are referred to as smart chargers.