Levels of EV Chargers Explained: A Comprehensive Guide

Quick Summary

• A detailed look at how EV charging works and what the three different levels of EV charging are. 
• Additionally, this article also looks at the advantages and disadvantages of each level and how DC fast charging works.

Introduction

One of the biggest advancements in vehicles over the last few decades has been the rise of electric vehicles, which are nowadays readily available on a commercial level. For people who own an electric vehicle, it’s very important to know how EV chargers work and the different levels of EV Chargers.

So, to help you out with that, this guide will be looking at the types of EV chargers and help you understand the different levels of charging.

EV Charging Levels Explained

EV chargers are categorized in 3 different charging levels. The 3 different levels of EV chargers are differentiated by their power output, charging speed, and electrical infrastructure requirements.

1. Level 1 Charging – Basic, slow charging using a standard household outlet.
2. Level 2 Charging – Faster, commonly used for home and public charging.
3. Level 3 Charging – Also known as DC fast charging, designed for rapid charging at commercial locations.

Each level of charging serves different needs and is suited to the needs of different demographics.

Level 1 Charging

This is the most simple level of EV charging, as it uses a simple 120-V household outlet for charging. You can use this level of charging very easily at your home without a lot of additional accessories or modifications.

Level 1 charging is very good for home use, as it works with most electrical vehicles and requires little to no installation. It is also a very cost effective way to charge EVs.Home EV Charger installation is also very convenient for a lot of people.

All that said, level 1 charging is very slow, and for people who use their car for long commutes, the charging from level 1 charging will probably not be sufficient.

Level 2 Charging

Level 2 Charging is probably the most popular charging level and is used by people at their homes and in public charging stations. The charging level operates on 1 240-V circuit instead of a 120-V one, significantly increasing the power output and the speed of charging.

Like level 1 chargers, level 2 chargers are also compatible with almost all EVs and readily available at public charging stations. They work well at homes, too, as you can install them in your home.

The installation for level 2 chargers does have a higher upfront cost of installation than level 1 charging, and will require you to hire professionals to do the installation for you. Level 2 chargers are also significantly slower than level 3 chargers despite being faster than level 1 charging.

Level 3 Charging

Level 3 charging is the fastest level of EV charging and is significantly faster than both level 1 and 2. This level uses a DC fast charging port instead of the AC one used in levels 1 and 2. The DC fast charger directly delivers current to the car, and this in turn reduces the time it takes for the EV to charge. 

The main advantage of this level of charging is obviously the speed that which the EV gets charged in. It takes very little time for a vehicle to get fully charged, saving you a ton of time. This level of charging is very useful for highway travel, and you will often find level 3 chargers on highways.

With that said, level 3 chargers are even more expensive than level 2 chargers when it comes to installation. Using level 3 chargers a lot can also sometimes negatively affect the health of an EV battery, so that is also something to keep in mind.

DC Fast Charging Explained

As mentioned earlier, DC charging is the charging method used by level 3 EV charging. DC stands for direct current, and the way it works is in the name, as it directly delivers the current to the battery, bypassing the onboard charger and significantly reducing the time it takes to charge the battery.

EV Charger Connectors Types

There are a number of different EV charger connector types, each with different EV charging speeds. You will find some of the most common connector types mentioned below.

Level 1 and Level 2 Connectors

J1772 (Type 1 – North America): The standard connector for Level 1 and Level 2 charging in North America. Almost all EVs (except Tesla) use this plug. Tesla vehicles can use J1772 chargers with an adapter.

Type 2 (Mennekes – Europe): The standard connector for AC charging in Europe, used for both Level 2 and some Level 3 AC fast charging

Level 3 Connectors (DC Fast Charging)

CCS (Combined Charging System – Combo 1 & Combo 2): The most widely used fast-charging connector globally.

• CCS1 (North America): Combines the J1772 connector with two DC pins for fast charging.
• CCS2 (Europe): Based on the Type 2 connector but includes DC charging capabilities.

CHAdeMO: This type of connector was developed in Japan and is used by brands such as Mitsubishi and Nissan.

Tesla Supercharger: This is a fast charging connector exclusively used by Tesla for vehicles they manufacture and sell. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing an EV Charger

• Speed vs Cost

Everyone will obviously want the fastest charger, but it’s also important to consider what the charger might cost you. You want the right balance, which is why a level 3 charger will almost never be a good option for home use. So consider which level might suit you best.

• EV Compatibility

While level 1 and level 2 chargers work with most EVs, they don’t work with all. So when choosing a level and installing it at your home, it’s very important to look at what works and what does not work with your vehicle.

• Frequency of Travel

Another important factor to consider is how frequently you might use your EV. Level 1 charging, for example, is only suitable for people who don’t travel long distances, and level 2 charging, on the other hand, is much better for people who travel a lot each day and need to fully charge the vehicle each day.

Conclusion

So there you have it—a comprehensive look at how EV charging works and the difference between each level of EV charging. Having looked at Level 1 vs. Level 2 vs. Level 3 Charging, you can decide which one works best for you and which one you might need. Ready to make the right choice for your EV charging needs? Visit GoSwitchgear today to explore our range of high-quality chargers and find the perfect solution for your home or business!

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