Just Plug it In?
Charging an electric car or electric vehicle (EV) might well seem mysterious to the uninitiated, so we’ve set out here to simplify the charging process. Just like charging your smartphone, at first blush the car just needs to be plugged in.
There are three levels of charging that, in effect, move from slow to fast. They are aptly named Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. The first two levels can be done at home, and descriptions of all three are next.
Opportunities to Charge at Home
Level 1: This level requires only a standard 110V/120V plug found in your home or apartment. A grounded adapter, like the one shown to the right, will have been supplied with the car. Charging at Level 1 adds 3 to 4 miles of range per hour of charging.
Level 2: This level requires can use a standard 220V/240V outlet, like one you may have available for a household clothes dryer and adds range at 15 to 20 miles per hour of charging. This is a superior option easily “filling” your car overnight and the adapter, likely supplied with 
the car, is shown to the right.
However, we recommend having a charging station set up at your home as there are many tax incentives available that can be taken advantage of. The stations will allow for additional programming to take advantage of lower electricity rates. The car itself can likely do this as well, but the station set up will avoid the hassle of unplugging an d plugging in your dryer over and over.
Note that there are public Level 2 chargers available in some municipalities intended for shoppers or restaurant goers to charge while shopping or eating. They might even be free. The results will only be 20 to 30 miles of range added in most cases.
Fast Charging On the Road
Level 3: This is fast charging public networks using direct current (DC) and is not something available for set up at home. These stations can add up to 600 miles of range per hour of charging depending on both what the car will allow and what the charge station can supply! Further, the chargers are specifically tied to charging standards set by manufacturers, but in the majority of cases, you will spend roughly 30 minutes charging to 80% charge. Please follow this link to learn why you should actually stop there!
There are three standards: Combined Charging System (CCS), CHAdeMO (CHArge de(for) MOve(ing)), and North American Charging Standard (NACS). We’ll ignore the second one, which was developed in Japan, and you should as well in deciding on a purchase as it is used by only a handful of manufacturers, has only a small charging network, and is being superseded. Due to simplicity, lighter weight cabling and extensive network, the NACS standard, a Tesla creation, is slowly being adopted by nearly all auto manufacturers selling vehicles here in the U.S. However, be absolutely sure the connectors on the car are correct if you choose something other than a Tesla and wish to use its network.
The CCS standard does have a significant and useful charging network from a number of suppliers, most notably Electrify America and EVgo, and is used currently by the majority of non-Tesla auto manufacturers. There is no reason to shy away from a vehicle using these Level 3 chargers. Some Tesla stations have been 
adapted to charge CCS-equipped cars as well, but they are few and far between currently. Finally, the CCS network will also be transformed to handle the NACS standard.
Just know that the vast majority of us do only local driving and the easiest and most efficient means of charging is with a Level 2 station set up at home, like the one seen to the right. You’ll never need to pump gas again, never be overcharged for an oil change again, and will always leave home with a full “tank”!
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
This is a One Pedal Driving Dashboard Indicator 
This and the images that follow below are Hybrid EV Mode Indicator 
The same basic image as above with a line drawn through it indicates that EV mode is not available, again because the proper conditions are not met. It may also mean that a destination may have been chosen in navigation that exceeds the hybrid battery range.
The text only symbol, eDRIVE, is found in hybrid systems that switch between using the internal combustion engine, the high voltage battery, or a combination of both automatically when conditions warrant. It will be displayed when the vehicle is under battery power alone.
This text only symbol, eBoost, will be displayed when a hybrid vehicle is under extreme acceleration, such as in passing situations. It indicates that the high voltage battery is in full use to support or Boost the acceleration.
This symbol, also in black and white features a drawing of an internal combustion (IC) engine with an embedded circular arrow. It indicates that the hybrid vehicle is operating on the IC engine alone.
This image indicates that use of the high voltage battery is on hold. The vehicle will operate using the IC engine predominantly in order to maintain the charge level in the high voltage battery. It too is in black and white.
These two are related as they both indicate that hybrid operation is in automatic mode. The second adds a slightly misshapen triangle underneath which indicates that the navigation system is active and that navigation data is being taken into consideration.
This set of indicators come from Honda Motors Corp. found in their Hybrid vehicles: Auto Mode, Charge Mode, and EV mode. In Auto Mode, the vehicle selects which propulsion source is most appropriate, the electric motor, the gasoline engine, or a combination of the two and automatically switches to it. In Charge Mode, the engine starts and the High Voltage battery charges. In EV mode, the vehicle is propelled exclusively by the electric motor, so long as the battery has sufficient charge. And to the extent of battery charge, these modes can be chosen at will by the driver.
These final three images are associated with what is termed a Mild Hybrid System, which uses a smaller, 48-volt battery to assist the driveline. The first image is displayed when the battery is supplying power. The second indicates that the battery is supporting high acceleration. The third image indicates that power from the mild hybrid system is unavailable.
This is a Transport Mode Indicator 
The dozens of images on this page are all Drive Mode Indicators 
Shown first (above) are variations for the most common – SPORT and ECO. However, these symbols continue to evolve and there are many, many more to discuss. In fact, you might want to check the bottom of the page first for the senselessly long list of additional symbols that have evolved over the years…
Drive modes are chosen by the driver and either enhance power and performance, enhance fuel economy or maintain a balance between them. If you see one of these, just know that the drive mode can be changed with the press of a button or tap of a screen. The last three are Track Mode Indicators and should only be used on a closed track.
Similarly, these are Race Mode Indicators. They are part of a Performance Traction Management (PTM) system that offers Competitive Drive Modes. When activated, the Electronic Stability Control OFF light will also be seen as the system will be turned off. As above, these modes should only be used on a closed track.
Similarly, the Drift Mode indicator is also seen in 
This is an N Launch Control indicator. The symbol is seen when N Launch is chosen. N Launch provides maximum acceleration when the vehicle is at a complete stop, which truthfully sounds like what any vehicle has when the accelerator is floored. However, N Launch is a special case from Hyundai in their Ionic 5 and 6 model EVs. When N Launch is selected, in use the brake and accelerator pedals are fully depressed. The car is “launched” when the brake pedal is released. N Launch is cancelled when the accelerator is released.
Subaru has gone wild with six new images. The first is associated with the Subaru Intelligent (SI) Drive system, a system we already discuss here. The first image is yet another Sport Mode indicator that adds the hash tag to become Sport Sharp Mode, which makes the throttle more responsive. The entire SI Drive option is also now found in non-hybrid vehicles from the manufacturer. It originally was designed to help manage the hybrid’s battery life.
Of the remaining five drive modes, all are new renditions of existing modes found from other manufacturers. In order, they are: Sport, Sport+, Individual, Comfort, and Normal Modes. Subaru itself already a simple Sport Mode, but opted yet again to make a new image. The outlier is the Star, where others, including Subaru have used a simple capital I for Individual, or actually spelled the word out (below).
Electric vehicles have their own set of mode choices, in nearly the number of variations as vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. Again, its all about the driver’s choice!
Toyota’s hydrogen powered Mirai has this Br – or Brake – Mode option, which is found on the shifter. It is intended for driving in conditions that require strong deceleration force, such as down-hill driving, etc. The indicator will be seen when the mode is selected, which draws braking power from the traction battery.
Another mode is Valet. This one leaves only the door locks and ignition active or available for use by a valet to park an owner’s vehicle. Forgetting to disengage this mode will lock out the trunk and glove box, and may be temporarily confusing.
These are all Sport Mode Indicators. plain ‘S’ is used both as a Sport Mode Indicator and a SynchroRev Match Mode (S-MODE) indicator. The SynchroRev Match mode is found only in a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. It automatically adjusts the engine speed to match the selecting gear ratio while changing gears. Similarly, the two Sport Mode Indicators and an Excite Mode Indicator, which is essentially the same thing, that follow will downshift an automatic transmission when engaged and enables performance shift features when spirited driving is detected, maintaining lower transmission gears to increase available engine braking and improve acceleration response.
One manufacturer uses multiple mode options that can be set by the vehicle’s driver. The first uses a distorted letter V to indicate that V-MODE is chosen. The option exists only as part of a V-Series vehicle. Z MODE offers exactly the same options, but in another model. It indicates that a specific driving mode has been chosen as set by a specific driver. The image of a head and shoulders alone or alongside a steering wheel are MY MODE indicators from the same manufacturer. Again, drive options are chosen by the driver.
Yet another manufacturer uses the symbol on the left to indicate N mode, which is seen as a stylized letter N. It actually controls the vehicle’s SPORT modes, and thus makes little sense. There is no explanation for what the N actually stands for and it is activated by pressing a flag button on the steering wheel. N mode manages the driving dynamics by automatically adjusting the steering effort, and the engine and transmission control logic for enhanced driver performance.
These are Tour or Normal Mode Indicators. It is used for normal city and highway driving to provide a smooth, soft ride in a high-performance vehicle. 
It provides a balanced setting between comfort and handling and is the standard mode. Be sure not to confuse it with the image to the right, which is essentially the same image but seen in yellow/amber. It is a Lane Keeping Indicator. 
These are all Weather Mode Indicators: two forms of Rain and Snow Mode, Wet Mode and Dry Mode. Other than Dry Mode, the modes help to keep the wheels from spinning in slippery conditions.
These are all 
For some EVs, these are the equivalent of the Check Engine Light. They indicate a possible problem in one or more of the following; the traction motor and inverter system, the charge port or charger, the lithium ion battery, the cooling system, or the shift control system. Pretty much any system that allows the vehicle to move might be at issue and a diagnosis by a qualified service shop will be required. HEV indicates a Hydrogen fuel cell and the FC indicates essentially the same.
This next image is listed as a Service Indicator. However, since there are no filters to change or other routine maintenance required, this is likely an indication of a system problem, which must be addressed by a qualified service center. The image, in 
Note that the very similar looking image to the right is an Electronic Power Control or Engine Speed Limitation indicator. It is seen in internal combustion engine vehicles. So if you’re not in an EV