Welcome to EV Equity University! This is our educational resource hub for all things EV.
Educational Videos
Electric Vehicle Charging 101
Dive into the world of electric vehicle charging as we break down the basics. With EVEU, you can explore different charger types, get essential tips for seamless charging, and determine how much it will cost to charge your EV. Whether you’re new to the electrified lifestyle, or a seasoned EV owner, this quick guide will supercharge your knowledge and keep you confidently on the road.
Kia Sorrento Vehicle Walkthrough
We attended the San Jose Auto Show to check out some of the newest electric vehicles on the market! Come with our EV Equity Specialist Alix as she walks through the 2024 Kia Sorrento PHEV.
Tesla Model Y Vehicle Walkthrough
We attended the San Jose Auto Show to check out some of the newest electric vehicles on the market! Come with our EV Equity Specialist Alix as she walks through the 2025 Tesla Model Y.
Nissan Leaf Vehicle Walkthrough
We attended the San Jose Auto Show to check out some of the newest electric vehicles on the market! Come with our EV Equity Specialist Alix as she walks through the 2025 Nissan Leaf.
Vehicle Types
Hybrid (HEV)
Has a regular gas-powered engine and a very small 1-2 kWh battery that is charged by regenerative braking, so it can’t be plugged in. The vehicle is fueled with gasoline to operate the internal combustion engine Hybrids are powered by an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors that uses energy stored in a battery. This enhances the car’s fuel performance but does not allow for electric only driving.
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
Plug-in Hybrids are defined as a vehicle that is gas and battery powered, but the battery is significantly larger and can be charged by plugging into a standard outlet in your garage. To support a driver’s typical daily travel needs, most PHEVs can travel between 20 and 40 miles on electricity alone, and then will operate solely on gasoline, like a conventional hybrid. In the hybrid mode, PHEVs can get anywhere from 400 – 600 miles of total range. When the battery runs out, the gas engine takes over and the car operates the same as a regular hybrid until you plug it in and recharge the battery. Charged by level 1 or level 2 chargers only.
Battery Electric (BEV)
Has no gas engine and instead has a large electric battery that powers the electric motors. They produce zero tailpipe emissions. BEVs are charged by plugging into a level 1, 2, or 3 charger. Most new BEVs have a range of 200-300 miles.
Charging
Level 1 is the slowest method of charging but is sufficient for drivers who charge overnight and travel 40–50 miles per day. Charging cables come with the vehicle and plug into a standard 120–volt AC outlet with no equipment installation required. Level 1 charging works well for charging at home, work or anywhere a standard outlet is available – and when you have sufficient time to charge.
Level 2 charging is considerably faster, but requires installing a dedicated 240–volt or 208–volt charging station, similar to what is required for a clothes dryer or electric range. Level 2 is found at many public and workplace charging stations, but also in many homes. It uses the same standard connector as Level 1 charging, meaning any EV can plug in at any Level 2 charger.
DC fast charging, also called supercharging, provides the fastest available “fill–up”. It requires a 480–volt connection, making DC fast charging unsuitable for home use, and not every EV model is equipped for it. Stations offering DC fast charging are found in shopping centers and often along major travel corridors, allowing EV drivers to charge up quickly and take longer trips.
SAE J1772
Also known as the J plug, this was created by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Was first adopted by California and rolled out nationally as the AC level 1 and level 2 charging standard for all non-Tesla EVs sold in North America.
Level 1 and 2 AC charging only
Standard plug for most EVs
Can be used at home or in public
ChaDeMo
Created for EV fast-charging by the Japanese auto industry affiliated CHAdeMO Association in 2010. While some Japanese brands still use CHAdeMO connectors, like old Nissan Leaf models, the connector is no longer used. The name is an abbreviation of “CHArge de MOve,” that translates to “charge for moving,” and is a pun in Japanese, meaning “Let’s have a cup of tea while charging.”
Level 3 DC charging only
Can only be used in public
Being phased out
Mainly used on older model Nissan Leafs.
NACS
an abbreviation for “North American Charging Standard”. More commonly known as the Tesla connector, NACS is designed to accept any voltage which allows owners to effortlessly transition from Level 1, to Level 2, to plugging into Tesla’s level 3 Supercharger network. NACS is standard issue for Teslas, and is being rolled out on 2025 models to all EV makers in an effort to create a standard AC/DC charging plug for all EVs
Level 1/2 AC and Level 3 DC charging
Becoming the national standard
Can be used at home or in public charging
Mainly used on Tesla vehicles
CCS
The most common type of DC fast charging connector. When you look at a CCS plug, it looks a lot like a J1772 plug, but with two additional power lines at the bottom. This creates a high-voltage connection that boosts the power output for fast charging. If your EV uses this plug, it can also accept a J 1772 plug to charge at a lower speed. CCS is used internationally by electric vehicle manufacturers and is the main choice you’ll see on existing EVs.
Level 3 DC charging only
Most commonly used plug for EVs
Can only be used publically
Search for EV Charging stations in your area
Electricity
What is electricity?
Alternating Current (AC)
Alternating Current, or AC is like a flow of tiny particles called electrons. With AC, electrons are moving back and forth, changing directions super quickly.
Power that comes from the grid is always AC, because it’s good at traveling long distances. However, batteries, like the one in your EV, can only store power as DC. A converter is built inside the car called the “onboard charger”. It converts power from AC to DC and then feeds it into the car’s battery.
This conversion process slows the flow of energy to your vehicle, which is why using an AC charger takes longer.
Direct Current (DC)
Electricity is like a flow of tiny particles called electrons. Direct Current, or DC is like a straight and steady flow of these electrons, moving in one direction, like water flowing in a straight line down a river.
When you use a DC charging station, the conversion from AC (from the grid) to DC happens within the charging station—allowing DC power to flow directly from the station and into the battery.
Watt's a watt?
Kilowatt-hours (kWh)
In an electric car, the size of its battery, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), determines how much electricity it can store. A 60 kWh battery means it can hold 60 units of electricity. Charging the car is like filling up its electricity tank.
A larger battery capacity allows the car to store more electricity. When driving, the car uses the stored electricity, and the more kWh the battery can hold, the farther the car can go before needing to recharge. Kilowatt-hours help us understand the car’s energy capacity.
When discussing kWh in charging speeds, it helps gauge how fast the electric vehicle’s battery is charged or how much energy is added during a charging session. Charging speed is vital in determining the time it takes to refill the energy in the car’s battery. For instance, a Tesla Model 3 with a 50 kWh battery requires 50 units of electricity to fully charge. Most electric vehicles typically take between 35 to 60 kWh to achieve a full charge.
Watt
Think of a watt as a unit that measures how much power or energy something uses or produces. In the case of an electric vehicle (EV), it’s like the horsepower of a car but for electric power. So, when we talk about the wattage of an EV, we’re essentially talking about how much electrical power its motor can generate to make the car move.
in the world of EVs, watts are a measure of the electrical power that drives the motor, determining how zippy and efficient your electric ride can be. The more watts, the more powerful and potentially faster your electric vehicle is!
Myth Busters
"Electric vehicles are worse for the climate than gasoline-powered vehicles because of the production process "
Electric vehicles are great for the environment because they help reduce global warming. However, when we manufacture these vehicles, especially their batteries, it can have some environmental effects. The production of EV batteries requires specific materials, and obtaining these materials can impact air and water quality, raising concerns about the environmental footprint.
To address these concerns, researchers and manufacturers are actively working on making the production process of EVs more environmentally friendly. They’re exploring ways to source materials responsibly, reducing the impact on air and water quality. Additionally, advancements in recycling methods are being developed to manage and reuse materials from old batteries, minimizing waste and environmental impact.
Despite these initial impacts, the overall impact of EVs on the environment is positive. Once these cars are on the road, they contribute significantly less to pollution compared to regular cars. Essentially, the environmental benefits of driving an EV outweigh the environmental costs associated with their production
"Electric vehicles are more likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered vehicles"
Inside an electric car, there is a lithium-ion battery. These batteries are like the powerhouses that make the car go.
Now, people might worry about electric cars catching fire, but it’s important to know that these incidents are rare, especially during normal driving. The main concern is if something really serious happens, like a significant car crash or if the car gets exposed to extreme conditions like being submerged in water during a flood.
In those rare situations, the lithium-ion batteries could get damaged. When a battery is damaged, it might get hot, and in some cases, release gases that could catch fire. It’s a bit like when your phone or laptop battery malfunctions, but on a larger scale.
However, car manufacturers are well aware of these risks, and they design electric cars with safety features to minimize the chances of such incidents. For example, they use materials that can contain any potential issues and prevent them from spreading.
Scientists and engineers are always working to improve these batteries and make electric cars even safer. As more people use electric cars and we gather more information about how they perform in different situations, we can keep making advancements in technology to reduce risks and enhance safety.
"Electric vehicles are more expensive than gasoline-powered vehicles"
When comparing costs between these vehicles, the first hurdle is the vehicle’s upfront cost. Electric cars can cost more than regular cars upfront mainly because the special batteries they use are still quite expensive to make. There aren’t as many electric cars being made yet, so they don’t benefit from the big discounts that come with producing lots of cars like gas vehicle manufacturers do. Right now, there aren’t as many different types of electric cars to choose from, but as more people want them, there will be more options, and in turn, help lower the prices. Even though electric cars seem more expensive upfront, they are cheaper in the long run because they need less maintenance like no oil changes, and cheaper fuel. With fewer parts that can break, electric cars often have lower repair costs, making them a money-saver over time compared to regular cars.
Amp: (or ampere) is the unit used to measure electrical current
Volt: a kind of electrical force that makes electricity move through a wire is measured it in volts. The bigger the voltage, the more current will tend to flow. So a 12-volt car battery will generally produce more current than a 1.5-volt flashlight battery.
Power: Together, voltage and current give you electrical power. Power is a measurement of how much energy you’re using each second. The bigger the voltage and the bigger the current, the more electrical power you have. We measure electric power in units called watts.
Watt: In an EV, watts describes the transfer rate of energy, much like another term you’re probably more familiar with – horsepower. Like horsepower, watts can be used to easily understand the power (meaning speed, torque, acceleration, etc.) of an EV. Because electric cars require a fair amount of power, they are typically rated in kilowatts (1,000w)
Kilowatt: or just kW (1,000w) is a measure of how much power an electric appliance consumes or gives off. It is similar to Watts, but is much stronger.
Kilowatt-hours (kWh): A Watthour (Wh) is equal to the energy of one Watt that is consumed or given to an electric circuit for one hour. The amount of electricity that a power plant generates or an electric utility customer uses is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh is one kilowatt generated or consumed for one hour. For example, if you use a 40-Watt (0.04 kW) light bulb for five hours, you have used 200 Wh, or 0.2 kWh, of electrical energy. An electric car’s battery capacity is expressed in terms of kilowatt-hours. It refers to the amount of energy consumed over one hour of charging. Higher kWh chargers allow EV owners to recharge their cars significantly faster.
A NEMA 5-15 Socket: is better known as a basic wall outlet. It’s the type of outlet you plug your lamp, phone, devices, and basic home appliances into. NEMA 5-15 sockets provide up to 16A and 120V of power and are the standard sockets for Level 1 EV chargers.
A NEMA 14-50 Socket: (also sometimes called an RV outlet) is generally for large appliances. It’s the type of outlet you plug your washing machine, refrigerator, and other large appliances into, which require more power. NEMA 14-50 sockets provide up to 50A and 240V of power and are the standard sockets for Level 2 EV chargers.
AC (Alternating Current) Charger: reverses direction a certain number of times per second — 60 in the U.S. — and can be converted to different voltages relatively easily using a transformer. Your EV communicates with the charger to provide the correct current needed throughout the charging process. This communication slows the flow of energy to your vehicle and is why it charges slower.
DC (Direct Current) Fast Charger: that constantly runs in one direction. This is the power found in fuel cells, solar cells and batteries. DC fast chargers convert AC power to DC within the charging station and deliver DC power directly to the battery, which is why they charge faster.
Level 1 and Level 2 AC Chargers: use standard 120V residential outlets to recharge your car’s battery. Level 2 chargers can draw power from a 12V or a 240V outlet.
Maximum Charging Rate: describes the electricity acceptance limit of a vehicle, which means the amount of power it can accept when charging. If your maximum charge rate is 50kW (a pretty standard rate), then fast-chargers capable of generating north of 150kW will be limited to your rate.
State of Charge (SoC): Your SoC describes how full your EV battery is using percentages from 0-100. This makes SoC the perfect EV replacement for the traditional fuel gauge and a handy tool when charging.
Maximum Range: how far your EV can go on a single charge.
Regenerative Braking: is a way of taking the wasted energy from the process of slowing down a car and using it to recharge the car’s batteries. On a normal car, braking simply wastes energy – but with regenerative braking, some of the energy is able to be reused. As you brake, the (kinetic) energy from each wheel is absorbed through an electric motor and sent back to the car’s battery. This also allows for one pedal driving, just like driving a golf cart.
SAE-J1772 (or just J1772) Connectors: are the Level 1 and Level 2 charging standard for all non-Tesla EVs sold in North America.
CHAdeMO Connectors: an abbreviation of “CHArge de MOve,” that translates to “charge for moving,” and is a pun in Japanese, meaning “Let’s have a cup of tea while charging.” This connector was created for EV fast-charging by the Japanese auto industry-affiliated CHAdeMO Association in 2010. While some Japanese brands still use CHAdeMO connectors (Nissan Leaf), they’re phasing out.
Combined Charging Systems: The most common type of DC fast charging connector. When you look at a CCS plug, it looks a lot like a J1772 plug, but with two additional power lines at the bottom. This creates a high-voltage connection that boosts the power output for fast charging. CCS is used internationally by electric vehicle manufacturers.
North American Charging Standard (NACS): Designed to accept any voltage, which allows owners to effortlessly transition from Level 1, to Level 2, to plugging into Tesla’s Supercharger network. NACS is standard issue for Teslas, but is becoming the national standard on most EVs from 2024 forward.
MPGe: or “miles per gallon-equivalent” is the EV version of mpg. The EPA uses it to compare the amount of energy consumed by vehicles using alternative fuels to those of gas-powered engines. You can use this LINK to access the EPA breakdown of their vehicle stickers
Torque: the ‘turning or rotational power’ of the engine i.e. how much power can an engine produce. It is sometimes referred to as ‘oomph’ or ‘pulling power’. Torque can be viewed as the ‘strength’ of the car. The greater the torque, the faster the acceleration that propels the vehicle.
Potential Energy: Energy that is stored somehow for use in the future. A car at the top of a hill has potential energy, because it has the potential (or ability) to roll down the hill in future.
Kinetic Energy: When it’s rolling down the hill, its potential energy is gradually converted into kinetic energy (the energy something has because it’s moving)