In the past several years, electric vehicles have exploded in popularity. More and more manufacturers have begun ramping up the production of EVs in order to get them into the hands of more drivers. Contact online >>
In the past several years, electric vehicles have exploded in popularity. More and more manufacturers have begun ramping up the production of EVs in order to get them into the hands of more drivers.
But with that said, regular consumers and business owners may still be confused about how they can charge their EVs, and how all those charging levels work. In this guide from Electrly, we''ll be going over the different EV chargers and EV charging levels, how quickly each type will charge your electric vehicle, as well as their technical details.
Level 1 charger generally have two different connector types: Tesla connectors, and J1772 (or "J" plugs) for all vehicles other than Teslas. For most Tesla owners in the US, that one connector port on your vehicle will support all Tesla charging protocols from Level 1 up to Level 3.
Level 1 EV charging may be a good fit for drivers who don''t drive a lot on a daily basis, are able to charge their EVs at home, or happen to drive a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that features batteries with relatively smaller capacities that are easier to fully charge.
Level 2 EV charging is a significant upgrade over Level 1 EV charging, as this charging utilizes a 208-volt to 240-volt AC outlet in North America, or a 230-volt (single phrase) or 400-volt (three phrases) outlet in Europe. In North America, Level 2 charging will charge your EV up to 19.2 kW, and 22 kW in Europe which ranges anywhere from 10 to 75 miles per hour (or 16-120 kilometers per hour) depending on the vehicle''s maximum acceptable charge rate.
Similar to Level 1 EV charging, the connectors used for Level 2 charging are either Tesla connectors or J1772 connectors. Almost all of the EV charging stations outside of Tesla brands in the US are now equipped with the J1772 standard charging connector.
Level 2 charging is the most commonly used charger type for daily EV charging, as it''s a perfect middle-ground charging solution for most drivers. Level 2 chargers can be easily installed at one''s home, but are also found in shopping areas, workplaces, universities, and various public places.
Even if the car battery is near-empty, charging it with a Level 2 charger overnight usually allows the vehicle to be ready to drive the next morning. The Level 2 charger is arguably the best value for money choice for EV owners who drive longer distances regularly and need a more reliable and faster EV charger.
Also known as DC fast charging, Level 3 charging is by far the fastest charging speed. Compared to Level 2 EV charging, a Level 3 charging station can deliver up to 360 kW of power, through the utilization of 480-volt or 400-volt chargers in North America and Europe, respectively.
Level 3 EV charging utilizes different connectors than Level 1 and Level 2 chargers – the majority of EVs in the US market are using Combined Charging System (CCS) standard plug for DC fast charging, while most Japan-made EVs use CHAdeMO standard connectors. Additionally, vehicles manufactured by Tesla utilize the company''s proprietary charger connectors, which they call Superchargers.
Most Level 3 DC charging is done at paid public charging stations, car dealerships, highway charging stations, or the Tesla Supercharger network. Other places available for DC fast charging will be large-scale and highly centralized charging stations that serve logistic hubs, distribution centers, or public transportation fleets.
Because of the ridiculously high cost of installing a Level 3 charging station along with the required high voltage and potential safety issues for residential uses, homeowners will typically not install DC fast charging in their own homes.
Choosing between EV charging levels involves the consideration of how frequently you drive your EV, how quickly you''ll need to charge it up all the way, and whether you''re willing to spend additional cash for faster charging. For commercial purposes and property owners, setting up the appropriate charging facility can also bring success to your businesses in the long run.
The Level 1 charger will charge your vehicle incredibly slowly, which is not a good idea in the case of daily long-distance driving. The Level 1 charging may only work for plug-in hybrids with a smaller battery that can be fully charged for around 6-8 hours, with no costly equipment or unique electrical setup required.
Level 2 chargers – with much faster charging speed – while requiring additional cost, appears to be the most popular solution among most homeowners considering the long-term EV usage and overall charging efficiency.
Level 3 charging may be more suitable for occasional uses during situations when your EV battery is almost empty, where it only takes less than half an hour to get your EV on the road again. Of course, you will expect to pay more for using DC fast charging considering the overall charging efficiency.
You can also check out the comparison between entry-level AC Level 1 charging and Level 2 charging, as well as high-speed AC Level 2 and Level 3 DC charging to better understand the differences between these charging levels and to determine which one is the best fit for your situation.
The latest announcement by Tesla stated that Tesla vehicles delivered after April 28, 2022, will no longer come with a portable charger, which means that Tesla owners have to spend either $230 for a Level 1 mobile charger or $425 for a Level 2 wall connector if they want to charge their Tesla at home.
Since you need to pay the price for both home charging solutions for Tesla owners now, the decision will finally come down to whether you need faster charging with OEM Tesla charging connectivity, or whether you are comfortable with an upfront cheaper portable wall plug solution that may take days to charge your vehicle.
If necessary, Tesla owners can always take advantage of the Tesla exclusive Level 3 charging stations, the Supercharger network, for fast DC charging with power output up to 250kW. Designed specifically for Tesla models, the Supercharger stations can provide you with a simple, dedicated, and streamlined "plug-and-go" experience that no others can compete with.
Since Level 1 charging is relatively slow and more time-consuming, this type of charging is no longer a practical solution for business purposes, and there is only 2% of the public charging station in the US are Level 1 charging according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
As one of the most common charging solutions in the market, the Level 2 AC charging is a perfect option for business owners to level up their enterprises and reach their sustainability goals. Level 2 charging stations can be installed at various locations without complicated electrical setups and expensive equipment.
If you are looking for an even more efficient and powerful charging type for large-scale uses, a Level 3 DC charging system is the solution to your needs. This high-speed charging is perfect for charging commercial fleets, logistics, or public transportation, where these industries will require timely services that couldn''t afford long charging times.
The cost of charging an electric car may differ depending on various factors, and different EV owners will have different charging experiences in terms of the overall cost. Below we rounded up some of the common charging scenarios that you may encounter as an electric vehicle owner.
The costs of EV charging at home will vary depending on your EV''s battery size as well as the local cost of electricity. Most electric utilities have special time-to-use rates that can help reduce costs by using electricity during off-peak hours.
Using a come-with-the-car Level 1 charger at home is the cheapest solution, as it only requires a standard wall plug to function properly. Using a Level 2 charger at home is relatively the same, as the charges will go on your electric bills after all. The difference is that you may need to pay for materials, equipment, and labor upfront that come with a Level 2 charger installation.
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