The auto industry has standardized charging connectors for Level 1 and Level 2 charging (common home or public charging). There are three types of DC fast charging: Tesla NACS (North American Charging Standard), CCS (the most common), and CHAdeMO (Mitsubishi, Toyota, Kia, and Nissan). Note: Tesla's plug isn't standard, so the company gives its owners an adapter that lets them use the most common SAE J1772 connectors. Want to install a charger at home? View and compare Level 2 home chargers on our ChooseEV site.

Range is continually calculated depending on changing conditions as an EV operates. Range tells you the total distance you can travel on the current charge in your vehicle's battery, which is replenished by charging. The range will vary slightly depending on the temperature and overall load on the battery.

Electric cars thrive in temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the weather is too cold, the battery's range and performance can decline; however, the battery's longevity is typically not affected. The number one cause of reduced range is auxiliary heating and cooling for the cabin and the power demand to regulate the temperature of the battery pack, just like on a gas car.

Many variables affect range, just as they do for gasoline-powered vehicles. These include payload (passengers, cargo, or towing trailers), wind resistance, road grade, driving style, speed, weather, and driving surface. EVs have a few additional variables, like the battery state of charge and temperature.

Ameren works tirelessly to ensure the stability of the power grid and to reduce the potential for extended outages. However, it is best to keep your vehicle charged to about 50% and plan to charge it before the scheduled brown out.

EV drivers tend to charge their vehicles at night when, generally, energy usage is at its lowest. This creates more efficient use of the grid, which puts downward pressure on customer rates.

Regenerative braking is a technique for using the energy lost during the slowing down of a vehicle to refuel the battery.

There are a lot of charging stations across the country and more are being installed daily. Charging apps like PlugShare provide a comprehensive mapping solution for all of your road trips. You can search for chargers in Missouri on our Charger Finder.

The cost of charging your vehicle varies depending on the model and your daily usage. On average, $1 of EV fuel is equivalent to $3 of gasoline. You can calculate your commute savings potential on our EV Commute Calculator and your overall savings potential on our EV Savings Calculator.

Depending on the charging cord that is included with your EV, you can plug into a regular wall outlet, utilize an existing 240V outlet (appliance outlet similar to those used for household dryers), or install a Level 2 charger at your home through a qualified electrician. Need help finding a qualified electrician? Ameren has many Electric Vehicle Partners that can assist with your at-home installation.

Over 90% of EV drivers charge at home. If you have a house with a garage or driveway, you can plug it in to “fuel up.” You are able to charge your car anywhere there is a regular 120V wall outlet present. You can also charge when you're out and about at hotels, grocery stores, workplaces, malls and more using public charging — some public and workplace charging stations are even free to use! You can search for chargers in Missouri on our Charger Finder.

Level 1 charger (120 volts): ~5 miles of added range per hour of charge

Level 2 charger (240 volts): ~25 miles of added range per hour of charge

Level 3 charger/DC fast charger: Up to ~80% charge in 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the vehicle and type of charger. The larger the battery, the more time it will take to reach an 80% charge.

If you live in a multifamily dwelling and do not have access to a shared station or dedicated outlet at your unit, you will primarily utilize public stations installed throughout your community. You can also talk to your landlord, property owner, or workplace about taking advantage of local incentive programs to install charging stations at their sites. We anticipate seeing much more public fast-charging around town, and with this type of charging, you would be able to charge as needed.