- [Announcer] If you plan on heading down the road
in an all-electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid
from Toyota's incredible lineup of electrified vehicles,
you'll also need to know how to charge it.
This can either be done at home, or out in public.
Let's learn a little more.
EV charging centers around three "charging levels,"
each of which determines the equipment and location needs,
as well as the time it takes to charge.
Basic Level 1 charging is convenient,
as it runs off 120 volts from a standard wall outlet
and requires no additional hardware -
but it also means significantly longer charge times.
That's why many owners prefer to upgrade their home
with a Level 2 setup - faster charging.
To do this, a licensed electrician is needed
since it requires a 240-volt power source -
like those used by larger appliances,
such as a clothes dryer -
as well as the purchase and installation
of a home charging station.
Level 2 charging is also commonly found at public stations.
Additionally, you can access Level 3
"DC fast charging" stations in public as well.
Level 3 isn't viable for residential use,
but under ideal conditions, it can be the fastest option,
providing direct current that skips
the typical AC/DC onboard conversion step.
When it comes to home charging,
the process is fairly straightforward.
Start by making sure you're parked
with the vehicle's charging port
within range of the charge source.
Now, for regular Level 1 charging,
plug the charge cable into the wall outlet.
Most EVs come equipped with this Level 1 cable,
which is stored in the vehicle's cargo area.
If the power source is a Level 2 charger,
simply remove the charge connector
from the charging station.
Now, whether Level 1 or 2,
insert the connector into the inlet,
ensuring that it clicks into place.
A light will come on to indicate that charging has begun.
If a specific charging schedule has been set, however,
the vehicle will charge at the scheduled times instead.
In this case, simply select Charge Now
if you need to override the schedule
and begin charging immediately.
From here, you can monitor the charge progress
either through the vehicle's indicator light,
its Multi-Information Display,
or remotely, through the Toyota app.
Just make sure your Toyota account and vehicle are linked
and showing in the app,
and that you're enrolled in an active Remote Connect trial
or subscription.
Additionally, you can set a schedule so that charging occurs
at specific times, like when electricity rates may be lower.
When the app or vehicle indicate that charging is complete,
you're ready to hit the road.
Of course, you can also stop charging at any time
if need be -
getting a full charge isn't necessary.
To wrap up when using a Level 1 charger,
unplug it from the outlet
and return the cable to your vehicle's cargo area.
If using a Level 2 charger,
simply remove and place the connector back
on the charging station.
Charging at a public station is a similar process,
but you'll need to consider location and payment.
Aside from making it easy to monitor charging status,
the Toyota app is great for finding nearby stations
based on distance and available charge type,
including if Level 3 fast charging is offered.
It's also worth considering how long
you'll need to be parked there,
and which amenities might be nearby.
Once you've found a spot and ensured the charging port
is facing the charger,
simply walk up to the station
and follow the instructions on the screen.
The payment process varies across different stations.
Some stations request a payment method up front,
while others do so after you have completed charging.
Payment can usually be made with a credit card,
an account-based app on your mobile device,
or through the Toyota app,
in cases where customers are using stations
that are part of Toyota's approved partner networks.
If you're using a Level 2 charger,
the process is the same as home charging,
simply insert the connector and go.
If you're at a DC Fast Charging station
and a Level 3 charger is available,
the process here is similar as well,
although the lower DC connector port will be used.
Please note that whether Level 2 or 3,
the station's connector design and compatibility can vary,
so be sure to reference the Owner's Manual
to ensure your hardware is compatible.
Lastly, when charging in public
or at a shared residential space,
you can make use of charge connector lock settings
for added peace of mind.
These can be accessed from the vehicle's settings menu -
just look for the Charging Connector Lock option.
First, the auto lock setting means the charge connector
will automatically engage the lock when you plug in,
but it will not disengage until you unlock the vehicle.
Next, with auto lock and auto unlock,
the vehicle will automatically lock the charger
when inserted,
as well as automatically unlock it
once charging is complete.
This setting is especially convenient in areas
where you don't want to tie up a charge plug
once you're done charging.
Lastly, when the setting is off,
the charge connector must be manually locked and unlocked.
And that's all there is to charging up,
whether at home or on the go.
Visit toyota.com/electrified
to learn more about Toyota's electrified lineup
and see how easy getting into
and owning a Toyota all-electric vehicle
or plug-in hybrid can be.