By 2030, many industry leaders expect electric vehicles (EV) will make up 52% of new car sales. EV manufacturers are ramping up production, and public charging ports are popping up all over the country. Almost all EVs come with a charging cord that features a J1772 connector to plug into the vehicle, but your driving expectations will determine which charging level is best.

If you don't drive a lot, Level 1 is the most affordable way to charge your EV, as it requires no installation to work. These chargers plug into an ordinary household outlet and deliver around 15 amps maximum from a 120-volt socket. For every hour spent charging, you get two to five miles of driving range, and for that reason, Level 1 charging is best for plug-in hybrid EVs.

If you travel more than 50 miles per day, Level 2 is your best option. These chargers use a 240-volt outlet, which is found in most homes, or a 208-volt connection that's used in public areas like hotels. Charging for an hour at Level 2 is equal to 25 miles of range. Tip: Hire an electrician to install a charger in your garage to make EV ownership far more convenient.

Finally, there's Level 3 charging. You won't find Level 3 chargers in homes due to a lack of necessary infrastructure, not to mention they typically cost $15,000 and up. Level 3 chargers deliver at least 100 amps and 480 volts of power and use different connectors than Level 1 and Level 2 charging, but every half-hour spent charging results in 100-200 miles of range.