2010 San Diego Chargers Roster Era: How Far EV Charging Has Come Since Then

If you were following football back in 2010, the San Diego Chargers roster featured Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, and LaDainian Tomlinson — and the idea of "charging" anything other than a cellphone was foreign to most Americans. The Nissan Leaf was just hitting showrooms, public charging stations were rare, and the word "kW" meant nothing to the average driver. Fast-forward to 2026, and EV charging infrastructure has transformed dramatically. Whether you're a new EV owner or shopping for your first electric vehicle, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about charging at home, on the road, and the equipment that makes it all work.

Charging Levels Explained: Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Charging

The single most important distinction in EV charging is the difference between kW (kilowatts) and kWh (kilowatt-hours). Think of kW as the speed of water flowing through a hose (power), and kWh as the total volume of water in the bucket (energy stored in your battery). A 10 kW charger delivers energy at a certain rate; a 75 kWh battery holds a certain amount of energy. Confusing the two is the most common mistake new EV owners make.

There are three tiers of EV charging, each serving different use cases:

EV Charging Levels — Speed, Power, and Use Case

Level	Voltage	Power (kW)	Miles of Range Added Per Hour	Best For
Level 1	120V AC	1.0–1.4 kW	3–5 mi/hr	Overnight top-ups, PHEVs, low-mileage drivers
Level 2	240V AC	3.3–19.2 kW	12–75 mi/hr	Daily home charging, workplace, shopping centers
DC Fast Charging	400–800V DC	50–350 kW	150–1,200+ mi/hr (peak)	Road trips, highway corridors, quick stops

For context, most modern EVs with 75–100 kWh batteries will charge from 10–80% on a DC fast charger in 18–35 minutes, depending on peak charge rate and battery chemistry. On Level 2 at home (typically 7.7–11.5 kW), that same 10–80% charge takes 6–10 hours — ideal for overnight charging while you sleep.

Home EV Charger Installation: Requirements, Costs, and Gotchas

Installing a Level 2 home charger is the single biggest quality-of-life upgrade for any EV owner. But the cost varies enormously depending on your home's electrical panel, the distance from the panel to your garage or driveway, and local permit requirements.

Electrical Requirements

A typical Level 2 home charger requires a 240V dedicated circuit — the same voltage your electric dryer or oven uses. Most homeowners install a 40-amp or 48-amp circuit, which supports chargers rated at 32A or 40A continuous draw (electrical code requires circuits rated at 125% of continuous load).

If your home has a 100-amp main electrical panel (common in homes built before the 1980s), you may need a panel upgrade to 200 amps before adding an EV charger circuit. This is one of the most overlooked costs in EV ownership planning.

Home EV Charger Installation Cost Breakdown (2026 Estimates)

Component	Simple Install (panel nearby)	Complex Install (panel upgrade needed)
Level 2 Charger Equipment	$350–$700	$350–$700
Electrician Labor (240V circuit run)	$400–$1,200	$800–$2,500
Electrical Permit	$50–$200	$50–$200
Panel Upgrade (100A → 200A, if needed)	N/A	$1,500–$3,500
Conduit/wiring materials	$50–$200	$100–$400
Total Estimated Cost	$850–$2,300	$2,800–$7,300

Some utilities and states offer rebates covering $250–$1,000 of installation costs. Check with your local utility — programs vary by jurisdiction and change frequently.

Safety and Code Considerations

Any Level 2 installation must comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC Article 625) and local building codes. Key requirements include:

• Dedicated circuit: The EV charger must have its own breaker — no sharing with other appliances.
• GFCI protection: Required for outdoor installations and in many jurisdictions for garage installations as well.
• Outdoor-rated equipment: If your charger is mounted outside or in an uncovered carport, it must carry a NEMA 4 (weatherproof) rating.
• Proper grounding: Your electrician will verify grounding at the panel and outlet/hardwire point.
• Hardwired vs. plug: Hardwired installations (no plug) are preferred for higher-amperage chargers (48A+) because NEMA 14-50 receptacles are rated for 50A but may overheat under continuous 40A+ draw over years of use.

Which Connector Does Your EV Use? NACS, CCS, and CHAdeMO in 2026

The connector landscape has shifted dramatically. As of 2025–2026, nearly every major automaker has adopted the North American Charging Standard (NACS) — the connector originally developed by Tesla. Here's where things stand:

EV Connector Compatibility by Brand (2026 Model Year)

Connector	Brands Using It (Native)	Notes
NACS (Tesla / J3400)	Tesla, Ford, GM, Rivian, Volvo, Polestar, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Hyundai/Kia (select 2026 models), Nissan (Ariana)	Now the dominant standard. Direct access to Tesla Supercharger network.
CCS1	VW (legacy models), Stellantis, some 2024–2025 Hyundai/Kia models still on road	Declining on new models; adapters to NACS widely available.
CHAdeMO	Nissan Leaf (discontinued), Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (older)	Essentially legacy; very few new vehicles. Public CHAdeMO stations declining.

If you own a CCS1-equipped vehicle (many 2023–2025 models), you'll likely need a CCS-to-NACS adapter ($150–$250) to access Tesla Superchargers, which now comprise the largest and most reliable fast-charging network in North America. Ford and GM began shipping NACS-to-CCS adapters with their 2025 vehicles; check with your dealer.

For Level 2 home and public AC charging, all vehicles still use the J1772 connector (or NACS, which handles AC on the same pins). Every Level 2 charger sold works with every EV via J1772 or the NACS AC pins — no adapter needed for home charging.

How Much Does EV Charging Actually Cost? Home vs. Public vs. Gas

One of the biggest advantages of EV ownership is lower fueling costs — but the savings depend heavily on where and when you charge.

Cost Per Mile: EV Charging vs. Gasoline (2026 National Averages)

Scenario	Cost per kWh	Cost per Mile (at 3 mi/kWh efficiency)
Home charging — off-peak (overnight TOU rate)	$0.08–$0.14	$0.03–$0.05
Home charging — standard residential rate	$0.13–$0.20	$0.04–$0.07
Public Level 2 (ChargePoint, EVgo, etc.)	$0.25–$0.49	$0.08–$0.16
DC Fast Charging (Electrify America, Tesla Supercharger)	$0.30–$0.58	$0.10–$0.19
Gasoline vehicle (28 MPG combined, $3.40/gal)	—	$0.12
Gasoline vehicle (28 MPG combined, $4.00/gal)	—	$0.14

At national averages, home charging on an off-peak rate saves 60–75% compared to gasoline per mile. Even DC fast charging on the road is often cost-competitive with gas, though frequent DCFC use adds up. According to fueleconomy.gov, most modern EVs achieve 100–130 MPGe combined, translating to roughly 3–4 miles per kWh.

The real savings unlock when you charge at home on a time-of-use (TOU) plan. Many utilities offer rates as low as $0.06–$0.10/kWh between midnight and 6 AM. Set your EV or charger to charge during those hours and your per-mile fuel cost drops to around $0.02–$0.03.

Recommended Home EV Chargers for 2026

Here are four Level 2 home chargers that consistently rank highly for reliability, features, and value. All support the J1772/NACS standard and are UL-listed for safety.

Public Charging Networks: What's Changed Since 2010

In 2010 — the year of that memorable San Diego Chargers roster and their 9-7 season — there were fewer than 3,000 public EV charging outlets in the entire United States. Today, there are over 200,000 public charging ports, including more than 50,000 DC fast-charging stalls. The major networks in 2026 include:

• Tesla Supercharger: ~30,000+ stalls globally; now open to NACS-equipped non-Tesla EVs. Widely regarded as the most reliable network.
• Electrify America: ~4,500+ DC fast chargers in the U.S.; 150–350 kW capable. CCS and NACS connectors available at newer stations.
• EVgo: ~3,500+ public fast chargers; strong urban coverage; partnership with GM's Ultium Charge 360.
• ChargePoint: Largest Level 2 network; ~100,000+ ports across workplaces, retail, and apartments.
• IONNA: New joint venture (BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Stellantis) deploying 30,000+ high-power chargers at highway rest stops through 2030.

Reliability has improved significantly. According to J.D. Power's 2025 EV Charging Experience study, satisfaction with DC fast charging rose 14% year-over-year, driven largely by Tesla opening its network and newer Electrify America Gen 4 stations. Still, plan road trips with a backup charging stop in your route — charger downtime at non-Tesla networks remains a real, if declining, frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: EPA Fuel Economy, IRS Clean Vehicle Credits, Alternative Fuels Data Center