Quick Guide to Electric Car Chargers

Thinking about renting an electric car on for your next trip? You may have questions about how to charge your rental car during your travels. When it comes to keeping an EV powered up, not all electric car chargers are created equal. Here’s a quick guide:

EV Charging Minimum Standards Rule

In March 2023, the Federal Highway Administration introduced new national standards for federally funded EV chargers to ensure that charging is a predictable and reliable experience for EV drivers. The goals are:

drivers can easily find a charger
drivers do not need multiple apps and/or accounts to charge
chargers work when drivers need them to
chargers are designed to be compatible in the future charging capabilities

The rule establishes minimum technical standards for charging stations, including required number of charging ports, connector types, power level, availability, payment methods, uptime/reliability, EV charger infrastructure network connectivity, and interoperability, among other standards and requirements.

When selecting a charger type, consider its voltages, resulting charging and vehicle dwell times, and estimated up-front and ongoing costs.

Connectors

EV charging connectors can differ significantly by geography and car model, making it crucial for renters to understand the distinctions between various connector types.

J1772: The 5-pin SAE J1772 connector is the most common EV plug in North America for Level 1 and Level 2 charging. All electric vehicles sold in the US and Canada use this connector, except for Tesla.

CCS: For fast DC charging, the CCS Combo 1 is the standard in North America. Most EV models entering the market today can charge using this connector, which combines the J1772 5-pin format plus two DC fast-charging pins. Essentially, this integrates features from both AC (Level 1 and 2) and DC fast charging, making it feasible to efficiently and quickly charge an EV with a single connector.

CHAdeMO: This is a fast-charging system for BEVs developed in 2010 by the Tokyo Electric Power Company and five major Japanese automakers. As of now, CHAdeMO remains popular in Japan, but is being equipped on very few new cars sold in North America or Europe.

Tesla: Tesla vehicles can only use a proprietary plug that caters to all charging levels: Level 1, Level 2, and DC rapid charging. Unlike other standards, Tesla’s connector is capable of accepting a wide range of voltages. There are J1772 to Tesla adapters that allow a Tesla vehicle access to J1772 charging stations.

Chargers

Level 1

Level 1 equipment provides charging through a common residential 120-volt (120V) AC outlet. Your rental car may or may not have a Level 1 charging adapter cable in it. It’s best to assume it won’t, but that’s not a big deal, since Level 1 charging is so slow it’s not even worth bothering with.

Connector: J1772
Charging time: 40-50 hours to charge a Battery EV (BEV) to 80% from empty; 5-6 hours to charge a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).
Estimated range per hour of charging: 2-5 miles
Typical Locations: Residential

Level 2

Level 2 equipment offers higher-rate AC charging through 208-240V electrical service. These are the standard public chargers you will generally see outside coffeeshops or grocery stores. Some EVs come with a 240V adapter cable that you can plug into any standard 240V NEMA 14-50 plug used by an electric clothes dryer or offered in an RV slot at a campground. Level 2 chargers are especially great to find at hotels, because you can plug in all night and come out in the morning to a full battery.

Public Level 2 chargers are frequently free, but in my experience the free chargers can be unreliable. Having said that, I was able to pay precisely zero in charging costs for a 600-mile trip through California wine country because I was very aggressive about charging at free Level 2 chargers wherever possible.

When there is a fee to use a Level 2 charger, it’s usually less than the cost of a Level 3 fast charge. Level 2 chargers are fitted with either a Tesla-style plug or the more common J1772 plug.

Connector: J1772
Charging time: 4-10 hours to charge a BEV to 80% from empty; 1-2 hours to charge a PHEV.
Estimated range per hour of charging: 10-20 miles
Typical Locations: Residential, Workplace, Public

Level 3 (DC Fast Charging)

Direct current fast charging (DCFC) equipment offers rapid charging along heavy-traffic corridors at installed stations. These chargers can dump DC electricity straight into the car’s battery at insane speeds ranging anywhere from 15kW all the way up to 350kW, though not all EVs support such crazy fast charging speeds.

In general, Tesla’s own fast-chargers (called Superchargers) are only compatible with Tesla vehicles. Tesla installs and maintains these stations, and has started opening some Supercharger stations to other brands to take advantage of government subsidies.

While sometimes the DCFCs on the slower end are provided for free by businesses like casinos, the more bog-standard 150(ish)-kW chargers tend to come at a cost. Tesla’s Superchargers fall into this category, as do CCS chargers operated by the major charging networks. Level 3 chargers are frequently found in the parking lots of power centers or other large shopping developments, meaning you can duck into a store while your car charges. Tesla Superchargers are frequently found at Target locations, and Electrify America CCS chargers are often found in Walmart parking lots.

Connector: CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla
Charging time: 20-60 minutes to charge a BEV to 80% from empty; most PHEVs do not work with fast chargers.
Estimated range per hour of charging: 180-240 miles
Typical Locations: Public

Frequently Asked Questions

You can rent a car and return it in another European country.

One way to make travel easier would be if you could rent cars in multiple countries but always have them returned where they were rented from.

But, this might not be practical as people may not want to pay extra for mileage. A lot of rental agencies charge an additional fee for returning the car to the location it was rented.

If you don’t plan to travel often, it might be better not to choose one country.

Can I use my credit card to rent a car?

Yes. But, be aware of any additional fees that could apply when you use your card internationally. Compare rates before making a booking. Some websites will allow you to reserve without paying until after you arrive, saving you money.

Can my car policy cover me for renting cars in foreign countries

As part of their policy coverage, insurance companies are increasing covering rentals in countries other than the United States. If you rent a car through Hertz Europe, for example, you might be covered for any damage or losses that occur while the vehicle is being rented. Mexico rents cars in the same way. Additional protections may be available through some policies, including waivers of liability and collision damage. These policies are available to you through your agent.

Is it possible to rent a car in Italy, and then drop it off in France?

It might not be possible for you to rent a car in Italy and drive it around Europe. However, you could use a service such as Europcar, which offers rentals all over Europe. Contact them for details on renting cars in Italy, and dropping them off at other locations.

What is the best European road trip?

These are the best road trips because you can stop and see interesting places on your way, as opposed to just driving from A-B as fast as possible.

Although there are many beautiful roads in Europe, none are as stunning as the route between Venice & Dubrovnik.

You will be driving through beautiful scenery most of the way. There are plenty of stops along your journey to take in the sights.

Highlights include Torcello in Lake Garda and Lido di Jesolo on the islands, as well as the Dolomites, Lake Como and Dolomites in northern Italy and the walled medieval French city of Carcassonne.

What documents do I need to drive in Europe?

You must have all the documentation required for each country you visit, including passports, visa requirements, customs clearance, tax information, etc.

Also, you will need to have copies of your passport, driving licence, and insurance policy. The insurance policy will need to cover you while driving in Europe.

In some countries, it may be necessary to prove ownership. This includes a bill or registration papers.

Some countries require drivers that they have a valid driver’s licence from their homeland.

Which company is the largest in car rental?

Hertz Corporation is America’s largest car rental agency. Harry Hertz founded Hertz Corporation in 1919.

Hertz Corporation owns over 6,000 locations in North America. Other businesses include hotels, financial services, and auto parts manufacturing.

Today, there are almost 4,000,000 employees around the globe.

Statistics

For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations (terms apply), and the Citi Premier® Card earns three points per dollar at gas stations, too. (afar.com)

External Links

How To

12 Things You Should Learn About Renting a Car in Europe

What are the basics of renting a car abroad?

You should be aware of several things before renting a car abroad. The type of rental car you choose will play a significant role in your trip. Here’s a list of must-know tips to ensure your trip goes smoothly.

Your insurance policy. Check that your auto insurance covers you for travel to other countries before you hit the road. Find cheap car insurance abroad with our guide.
You need the right documents. You will need your driver’s license from the country you are in, as well as multiple identification cards (passports or visas). to prove where you’re going. It is best to have all the documents you need in order to meet any deadlines.
Road Rules. Follow local traffic laws and pay attention to signs indicating speed limits, one-way streets, and pedestrian crossings. Driving in another country can lead to fines or accidents.
Parking rules. Many cities require drivers to park in designated areas only. Before arriving in town, be sure to review parking regulations.
Gasoline. Gasoline prices can vary depending on where you live and what country you are in. However, it is generally three times more expensive than gas back home.
Insurance requirements. For rentals older than three years, some countries require additional liability coverage. Check with your rental company about specifics.
GPS navigation systems. It is becoming more popular for travelers to use GPS navigation systems. It’s important to be familiar with GPS navigation systems if possible.
Radio stations. The radio station in the region you’re visiting might play music that sounds foreign to you. You don’t have to worry about it; just press “0”, to change the frequency to English
Seatbelts. European countries make seat belts mandatory.
Road tolls All over Europe, there are many road tolls. Many are charged at major intersections.
Speeding tickets. Speeding is strictly forbidden in large parts of Europe including Germany, Austria Switzerland, Italy France, Spain and Switzerland.
Tipping. Tipping isn’t as expected in Europe as in North America. Tipping isn’t a customary practice anywhere in the world. Instead, you can give a round number like 10%-15%.

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