Your guide to charging your EV
The differences between EV charge levels
Most EVs can charge at 3 different levels — knowing the differences will help you choose the right charger for your driving needs.
Level 1
Level 1 chargers come included with EVs and can be plugged directly into a standard 120V household or workplace outlet and add about 7-9 km of range per hour charged. This level of charging may be sufficient for Nova Scotians with a short daily commute.
Level 2
Level 2 charging stations use a 240 Volt outlet (similar to a kitchen stove) and add about 30 km of range per hour charged. Level 2 charging stations can be found across Nova Scotia and a variety of Level 2 chargers can be purchased separately for use at home. However, these popular in-home chargers do require an electrician for installation.
Level 3 (DC Fast-Chargers)
Level 3 charging stations (also known as Direct Current Fast-Chargers) use a 480 Volt system and can add up to 250 km of range per hour charged. In many cases, you can charge an EV’s battery to 80% in 30 minutes. This will vary depending on the battery size and its level of charge. These stations make longer trips that much easier for EV drivers. This type of charging is compatible with the vast majority of EVs, but make sure to check if your model has this feature.
Charge while you sleep
Imagine waking up each morning with a full tank of gas. You won’t have to think about charging time day-to-day, because simply plugging in your EV at home means you’ll almost always leave the house with a full charge.
Factors that affect charging times will change based on charge level, amount of charge left in the battery and total battery capacity of the EV. Charge times could also be slower if it’s really cold out (which has been known to happen in Nova Scotia!) but the slow-down is minimal, and you won’t notice a difference if you typically charge at home.
Level 1
About 7-9 km of range per hour charged
Level 2
About 30 km of range per hour charged
Level 3
(DC Fast Charger) Up to 250 km of range per hour charged
Almost zero charge planning necessary
Our vehicles spend most of their life sitting at home — up to 14 hours each day. That means you likely have an average of 14 hours of useful charging time every day. If you’re planning a longer trip, take advantage of the extensive charging network across Nova Scotia and beyond. You’d be surprised how little charging time affects your trip when you plan your charging pit stops around meal breaks and landmarks!
Electricity is way cheaper than gasoline
According to NS Power, at $1.20 per litre of gasoline, the average compact car costs $11.44 to drive 100km (the average SUV or minivan costs $14.80 to travel the same distance). When you compare this to an EV costing $2.80 per 100km, EV drivers can save $1,500 or more on gasoline costs every year. Don’t do the math in your head though — Take Charge has a calculator for you!
When you’re charging away from home, you can find many Level 2 chargers free-of-charge and can expect to spend about $3 to $5 for a 15-minute Level 3 DC fast-charge. Check out more charging locations and the pricing you can expect on our charging map.
Find a charging station near you
Did you know there are currently over 100 public charging stations across Nova Scotia?
You’re in charge
Charging an EV is as easy as plugging in your phone. And for when you’re away from home—view our interactive map of the fast-charging network across the province.
Learn more about our EV Network in Nova Scotia
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