EV Charging 101

Skip the gas station. Go all-electric.

EV Charging Stations in Bradenton, FL

Upgrading to an electric vehicle can be a major transition in your day-to-day life, but fortunately, you won’t have to do it alone. At Gettel Kia of Bradenton, we stock electric Kia vehicles and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect ride for your lifestyle. There are several advantages to driving an EV, but the most common one is not making any more stops at gas stations. Instead, you can plug in your EV to charge at home or at an EV charging station. Charging an EV is easier than you might expect. To help, we’ve put together a simple guide covering the basics of EV charging below.

What is an EV Charging Station?

EV charging stations provide a secure and hassle-free way of powering your electric vehicle. While free charging stations are available, some EV stations require payment with a credit or debit card. From there, all you’ll have to do is connect your EV to the charger. EV drivers can also download an EV charging app to their smartphone. Not only will this make it easier to find nearby chargers, but you can also use the app to start and stop charges and check power levels and estimated charging times. EV charging stations are becoming increasingly available throughout Florida, making it simpler than ever to keep your electric vehicle charged up.

EV Charging Options

Before making the switch, it’s important to understand the three different charging options: Level 1, Level 2 and DC Fast Charging. Learning more about each option can help you determine which level best suits your needs when it comes to powering up your EV.

Level 1 Charger

Level 1 charging is what you’ll get by plugging in your EV to a common residential 120-volt AC outlet. These chargers generally require 40-50+ hours to charge an all-electric vehicle to 80 percent from empty.1

Level 2 Charger

Level 2 chargers are amongst the most common types of EV chargers and are one of the two types of chargers you’ll find at the workplace or public charging stations. You can also have a Level 2 wallbox charger installed at home by an electrician. These chargers can charge an all-electric vehicle from empty to 80 percent in four to 10 hours.1

DC Fast Chargers

DC Fast Chargers, or Level 3 chargers, are only available at public charging stations because they deliver high power output. This type of charger is capable of fully recharging an electric vehicle from empty to 80 percent in as little as 20 minutes to one hour, which makes it a great option for drivers who need to top up their battery quickly.1

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Bradenton, FL

Bradenton offers a wide range of public charging options for EV owners. Some common charging station networks include ChargePoint and Tesla, and there are a variety of other non-network stations as well. Bradenton currently has 43 public charging stations; 100 percent of those stations are Level 2 chargers and 51 percent are free to use.2

A few of the charging locations in Bradenton are:

  • Marina Park (1450 1st Avenue West, Bradenton, FL, 34205)
  • Culver’s (3515 Cortez Road West, Bradenton, FL, 34210)
  • City of Bradenton City Center (1000 1st Avenue West, Bradenton, FL, 34205)

Looking for charging stations near you? Visit this link. Simply enter in where you are and you’ll see a list of charging stations located nearby.

Electric cars offer a range of advantages over their traditional gasoline counterparts, such as lower operating costs and reduced environmental impacts. With Kia EV models, you’ll get all these benefits plus the comfort and reliability of a Kia. If you’re interested in making the switch from your gas-powered ride to an electric vehicle, check out our selection of Kia EVs today and experience the benefits of driving an electric car for yourself.

If you have additional questions about EV charging stations or a new Kia EV on our lot, contact us today or stop by our dealership at 6423 14th Street W, Bradenton, FL 34207. We look forward to serving our customers near Venice and Sarasota.

1Find more information on charging EVs at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website here.

2For more information, visit Charge Hub.