Charging Station (EVSE)
Definition
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment — the infrastructure that delivers electricity to charge an EV. Includes home chargers, workplace chargers, and public charging networks.
Why is Charging Station (EVSE) Important?
As electric vehicles transform transportation across the United States, understanding Charging Station (EVSE) is essential for making informed EV ownership decisions. Whether you are comparing models, planning road trips, or evaluating long-term savings, this concept directly impacts your EV experience and total cost of ownership.
Our EV calculators help you quantify these factors, enabling confident comparisons between electric and gas vehicles and optimizing your charging strategy for maximum efficiency and savings.
What is EVSE?
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) is the complete system that delivers electricity from the grid to an EV's battery. While commonly called a "charger," the actual charging circuitry is onboard the vehicle — the EVSE is the connection and safety equipment between the building's electrical system and the car.
Types of EVSE
| Type | Level | Power | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable L1 EVSE (included with EV) | Level 1 | 1.2-1.8 kW | $0 (included) |
| Home wall-mount L2 EVSE | Level 2 | 7.2-11.5 kW | $300-700 |
| Commercial L2 EVSE | Level 2 | 7.2-19.2 kW | $1,500-5,000 |
| DC Fast Charging station | Level 3 | 50-350+ kW | $50,000-150,000+ |
Major US Charging Networks
| Network | Stations | Connector | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | ~2,000+ locations | NACS (opening to CCS) | $0.25-0.35/kWh |
| ChargePoint | ~40,000+ Level 2 | J1772, CCS | Varies (host-set) |
| Electrify America | ~800+ DC fast | CCS | $0.31-0.43/kWh |
| EVgo | ~950+ DC fast | CCS, CHAdeMO | $0.29-0.39/kWh |