Chargers

Level 1

Only 3-5 miles per hour of charge time. These chargers plug directly into a normal household outlet. There is hardly any circumstance that would warrant the use of a level 1 charger.

Level 2

30-80 miles per hour of charge time. Recommended for home charging. Completely charges your vehicle overnight.

Level 3

These chargers are 3-15 miles per MINUTE of charge time. These commercial DC fast chargers require 3-phase electric and are the fastest type of charging available.

Level 1 charging may work for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) because they have smaller batteries (usually less than 25 kWh) and their gasoline engines work when the battery runs out. Since EVs have much larger batteries, Level 1 charging is too slow for daily charging. Level 2 charging better is better suited for daily charging needs.

Level 2 charging is the most commonly used level for daily EV charging. Level 2 charging equipment can be installed at home, at the workplace, as well as in public locations like shopping plazas, train stations, and other destinations. Level 2 charging can replenish between 12 and 80 miles of range per hour, depending on the power output of the Level 2 charger, and the vehicle’s maximum charge rate. Charging from a Level 2 source usually means the vehicle will be completely charged overnight, even if you plugged it with a nearly empty battery.

Level 3 charging is the fastest type of charging available and can recharge an EV at a rate of 3 to 20 miles of range per minute. Unlike Level 1 and Level 2 charging which uses alternating current (AC), Level 3 charging uses direct current (DC). The voltage is also much higher than Level 1 & 2 charging, which is why you don’t see level 3 chargers installed at home. Very few residential locations have the high-voltage supply that is required for level 3 charging.