What to know about EV charging
November 2025
Charging an electric vehicle (EV) might seem daunting at first, but once you’re comfortable with the basics, it’s easy peasy. Don’t worry, if you’re still feeling a little lost about how it works, this one’s for you.
In the U.S., electrical energy comes in the form of AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current). And electric vehicles are designed to safely and efficiently charge their batteries when plugged into a compatible energy source—so charging just works. Keep in mind, AC and DC charging are very different animals. And what’s more, not all EVs in the industry (at least at the time of this article) are built to use the same charging standard.
But let’s try to unpack this a little more, because your vehicle and the charge type available to you will determine how and where you may be able to charge.
AC charging is primarily what you’d use at home, but you can also find AC chargers out in the wild too. There are two types of AC chargers, and the one you use can determine if your EV will be charged in a few hours, or in a day or two. Of course, there are more factors that’ll affect your actual charge time – like weather conditions and the battery’s state of charge - but we’ll save that for another time.
The Level 1 supplementary charge cable (which plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet) can be good for last-minute or even “as-a-last-resort” charging, or if you don’t happen to drive very far very often. For perspective, because Level 1 chargers have a maximum output of about 1.1 kW, they’ll charge perhaps at a turtle’s pace. No offense to turtles.
Level 2 charging options include home charging solutions (which can either plug into a 240-volt outlet or can be hard-wired into your circuits), as well as public chargers. You may find Level 2 chargers near businesses or other public areas (like city buildings, recreation centers, parks, etc.). And while many Level 2 chargers today offer maximum outputs between 7.2 kW and 9.6 kW, there are some that can deliver up to 11 kW or more. If we compare Level 2 charging with our Level 1 turtle friends, you’ll find these chargers are much faster...like the speed of a horse.
Most EV owners end up charging at home, and that’s where a Level 2 charger can come in handy. You’ll find that many Level 2 home charging solutions can either be hardwired into your circuits or plugged into a 240v outlet. But before you commit to a home charging system, it is recommended to first consult with a qualified electrician to confirm that after inspection, your home’s electrical infrastructure can handle EV charging. The electrician can also provide a quote on what it may take to get your home or garage ready to support a Level 2 charger. And if you need some guidance on this process, Qmerit can easily help you find local certified electricians to get you started.
For Volkswagen EV drivers looking for a home charging solution, the 2-in-1 Mobile EV Charge Cable is a great option as it gives you the flexibility to charge at Level 1 by plugging into a household outlet, or at Level 2 by plugging into a 240-volt outlet. Plus, the cable is portable.
The other charging method we need to talk about is DC fast charging. This is where the power source (essentially a high-powered battery) already has electrical energy in direct current (DC) form. Due to this, the vehicle bypasses the conversion process that is used with AC charging. And if we continue our animal analogy, DC fast charging speeds tend to be even faster, more like a cheetah which is helpful when you’re taking longer trips. Typically, DC fast chargers are easy to spot in public, and can be found near businesses (depending on where you live), or near major highways across the U.S.
Now, something else that is important to remember is that EVs may not accept as much energy as some of these chargers can deliver. And this is true for both AC and DC charging.
Here’s why.
Batteries, like the ones in our electric vehicles, store energy in direct current. U.S. homes and other Level 2 public chargers run on alternating current. Because of this, every EV comes with an on-board AC/DC converter. This component is responsible for converting AC energy into DC during AC charging. And…this onboard charger has its limits (which will vary depending on your vehicle). For example, the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S has an 11 kW onboard charger, which means its maximum AC acceptance rate is 11kW. So even if the Level 2 charger has a higher output, the vehicle won’t exceed the onboard charger’s limitations. It only accepts the amount of energy that is needed to safely and efficiently charge the vehicle.
With me still?
EVs have limitations on the amount of power they can accept from a DC fast charger too. For example, a 2025 ID.4 equipped with an 82 kWh battery is capped at a maximum charging speed of 175 kW, meaning the vehicle won't be able to take on more energy than that.
Once an electric vehicle has been plugged into the AC or DC power source, the vehicle will calculate how much power it needs based on current conditions to meet the requested charging demands. It’ll consider things like the battery’s state of charge, external temperature, and charger and vehicle limitations. In many cases, the vehicle may not ask the charger for the maximum capacity that it can give.
Now…what makes one charger compatible and another not? It all comes down to the type of charging standard your EV uses.
Even though the charging process is generally the same for battery electric vehicles, not all chargers will fit every make and model’s charge port. Most of us would quickly find that a square peg doesn’t fit in a round hole, but it’s always better to be prepared with the knowledge of what’s in the market. That way, you’ll know what you need for your specific EV.
Volkswagen EVs use the J1772 standard for AC charging and CCS (Combined Charging System) for DC fast charging. While some other automakers use the same standards, many have already switched-or are planning to switch-to NACS (North American Charging System).
Until all EVs are on the same charging standard, there may be approved adapters that automakers offer. And while there are third-party adapters in the universe too, keep in mind your vehicle’s manufacturer might not have tested it, so it’s possible it may or may not play nicely. Always check with your vehicle manufacturer before buying an after-market adapter.
For Volkswagen ID.4 and ID. Buzz drivers who have been patiently waiting for an official NACS DC adapter to be released, the wait is over. You can now obtain one from your local VW dealer or order it online here.
Why is this a huge deal? Because of the NACS DC adapter, Volkswagen ID.4 and ID. Buzz drivers can access the vast Tesla Supercharger network of NACS Partner site DC fast chargers. And that is more than triple the number of DC fast chargers currently available to owners across the country. So yeah…it’s a pretty big deal.
Keep in mind, Volkswagen EV owners still have access to the expansive Electrify America network, as well as other CCS-compatible charging networks, and they can charge there without needing an adapter. Plus, certain model and model year VW EVs may be able to take advantage of Plug&Charge with Electrify America DC fast chargers, making it easier and saving time.
If you’re still on the fence and aren’t sure if you want to take the leap into EV ownership, we get it. But we also want to keep you informed, so that you know the EV charging networks are growing. And, that the technology that our Volkswagen EVs are packed with brings such comfort, convenience, and fun that it's worth taking a look. So go ahead and take a look!
