EV Charging 101

EV Charging Stations

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?

When you upgrade to an EV, you’ll need a reliable and convenient place to recharge your ride. That’s where EV charging stations come in. Finding a public EV charging station is effortless and convenient when you’re on the go. For most public EV charging stations, you’ll need to swipe a credit or debit card (unless it’s a free charging station) and then connect your EV cable. Additionally, some stations offer helpful apps that enable you to track your charging progress and receive notifications when your vehicle is fully charged. EV charging stations are becoming increasingly available around Florida, making it simpler than ever to keep your electric car powered up. We encourage you to download an EV charging app on your smartphone. You’ll be able to monitor your charging activity, view a map of nearby charging stations and even arrange charging times.

EV Charging Options

Has an EV caught your eye? Before you make the switch, it is important to understand your charging options: Level 1, Level 2 and DC Fast Charging. Knowing the type of charging options available will help prepare you for the transition.

Level 1 EV Charger

Level 1 chargers, which are common residential 120-volt AC outlets, can take up to 40-50 hours or more to charge an all-electric vehicle from zero percent to 80 percent.*

Level 2 EV Charger

Level 2 EV chargers are one of the most popular charging options, capable of charging an all-electric vehicle’s battery up to 80 percent (from empty) in roughly four hours. Also, you can charge Plug-in Hybrid models with Level 2 chargers.*

DC Fast Charger

DC Fast Chargers, also known as Level 3 chargers, are typically only found at public charging stations. This is due to their incredibly high power output that can charge electric vehicles up to 80 percent within one hour. These fast chargers provide a convenient and quick solution for EV owners looking to top off their battery quickly.*

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.

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