As an innovative company in a forward-thinking industry, we get a lot of questions about electric vehicles. For example, how many amps are needed to charge an electric car? What are the power requirements for electric car chargers at home? Can I charge my EV at a dryer outlet? Were electric vehicles really invented in the 1800s?

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It’s true! Even though electric vehicles have been around since the 1800s, the technology is still mysterious to most. Electricity is a fascinating technology we rely on for basic needs like getting ready in the morning, reading a book at night, and “fueling” our electric cars for the commute ahead.

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To help you get up to speed, we’re sharing ten buzzworthy facts to fill your brain with all things EV.

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Top 10 EV Facts

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1. 32 amps are needed to charge a standard-sized electric car overnight.
   
   Amps aren’t just for guitars. Electric car charger amps dictate how fast an electric vehicle will charge; they multiply the speed of charging. For example, if 32 amps can charge a vehicle in 6 hours, 64 amps will do the same amount of work in 3 hours. Car charger amperage is critical to understand because it helps drivers plan how long they need to use the charger. Multifamily property owners should understand the power requirements for electric car chargers to understand the infrastructure and installation needs at their property.
   
   

2. The average EV takes 6-8 hours to charge fully.
   
   You know how many amps are needed to charge an electric car, but how does that translate to time? Like filling up a traditional gas tank, the larger the car's range, the longer it will take to charge. The average EV takes 6-8 hours to charge fully on a Level 2 charger–this is why people like to multi-task and charge overnight! For residents with access to EV charging at home, the convenience of charging while they sleep is a game-changer. Oodles’ EV drivers typically charge up once weekly, and many choose to stick to a routine with the same charging day every week!
   
   

3. Even historical buildings can be adapted to offer electric vehicle charging.
   
   Electricity voltage is decided based on the building’s infrastructure and how it was constructed originally, but don’t let that discourage you. Installation is totally doable for properties that need more to service their residents! And Oodles is the perfect partner for figuring out power requirements for electric car chargers at your property.
   
   When installing EV chargers on site, it’s important to understand a building’s electricity capacity and future needs. This knowledge isn't readily available for busy property managers and owners, so Oodles takes over and investigates infrastructure needs and capabilities. Our team provides expert advice about system solutions that deliver required electric car charger amps now and in the future.
   
   Planning ahead pays for itself in installation fees. There are ways we install charging infrastructure that allow it to be expanded in time, so you can handle the current needs now but easily grow in the future as your EV charger needs increase.
   
   
4. You can plug your electric vehicle into a regular outlet.
   
   You can plug your EV into a regular outlet to charge, but there’s a catch when it comes to the electric car charger amps. Most Level 1 chargers are rated to match the rating of a standard 120-volt outlet in your home, which is 15 amps. But for a 120-volt Level 1 charger in a multifamily setting, if two residents were to plug into the same circuit (two different outlets could be on the same circuit), the circuit would trip, leaving both EV drivers without charge. Luckily, there is a remedy to keep this from happening - dynamic load balancing ensures this never happens and is a key aspect of the Oodles solution. These Level 1 chargers replenish at a rate of 4 to 5 miles per hour, so if you’ve driven 100 miles, it will take you between 20 to 25 hours to fully recharge your vehicle! With those car charger amperage needs, that’s a whole day wasted without driving.
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5. Level 2 chargers replenish an EV battery up to 10 times faster than Level 1 chargers.
   
   Level 2 chargers are the most commonly installed chargers in multifamily, public, and commercial parking settings. Compared to Level 1 chargers, they replenish an EV battery up to 10 times faster, regaining 12 to 80 miles of range per hour. Level 2 chargers can deliver up to 80 amps of power at their peak. Still, they require a 100-amp 208-240V dedicated circuit, an expensive supply line from the breaker box, and professional installation to make it all come together.
   
   We encourage multifamily properties to install multiple Level 2 chargers so EV driver residents can charge their vehicles faster, which provides more open availability for other EV drivers looking to charge up. More opportunities to charge = happier residents = more opportunities to earn profit.
   
   Click here to learn about the differences between the 3 EV charging levels.
   
   
6. EV registrations in the U.S. shot up 60% in Q1 of 2022, whereas new car registrations dropped 18% overall.
   
   Drivers are finally catching on! EV registrations in the U.S. continue to climb, despite overall car registrations decreasing. With more EVs on the road, drivers are looking for ways to get a charge and prefer to charge up in their sleep. Multifamily properties can seize this opportunity to offer a cutting-edge, totally turnkey EV charging solution with Oodles!
   
   
7. Almost 43% of all new electric car sales in America between 2011-2022 were in California.
   
   You guessed it. California has the highest volume of electric vehicle sales in the U.S., and just under 50% of all EV sales occur in The Golden State. Incentives for EV purchases, availability of public chargers, and a forward-thinking mentality have encouraged residents to invest in EVs. Will a new state ever take over the top spot? Time will tell, but the expansion of EV charging networks will help.
   
   
8. In 2019, the number of electric charging stations surpassed that of fuel stations in the U.K.
   
   According to a study by Nissan in 2019, there were almost 1,000 more public places to charge electric vehicles than there were to fuel up on gas in the U.K. There were 9,300 reported public EV charging locations compared to 8,400 fuel stations. Will the U.S. follow suit? An improvement in the availability of EV charging ports could enhance driver confidence in purchasing that EV they’ve been eyeing!
   
   
9. The first electric car in the U.S. was introduced in 1890.
   
   William Morrison unveiled the first American electric, self-propelled, horseless carriage in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1890. It was equipped with 24 batteries, drove 14mph, and carried seven people. Impressive for the 1800s!
   
   
10. BONUS Oodles Fact! Just a couple of Oodles drivers have used enough energy when charging their EVs to keep the lights on in a house for 3+ months!
    
    That’s a lot of light. 💡

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Did a taste of these EV facts make you crave more? Learn so much more about electric vehicle charging–especially in the multifamily space–at our blog! It’s filled with EV knowledge and fun facts about driving into the future.

If you’re a multifamily property owner ready to skip the trivia and setup installation, send a note to our team! We’re here to get it started.

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