There are different levels of EV chargers available in the market—Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (DC fast chargers)—according to their charging speed and power output. Understanding these three types of charging systems in automobiles helps EV owners enhance their charging experience, whether at home or in public.
Key Takeaways
- Level 1 charger is too slow, has three-pin chargers which plug into 120 Volt AC oul, suitable for home charging.
- Level 2 charger is a bit fast using a 240V AC outlet, usually found in public and residential areas.
- Level 3 or DC Fast Charging Fastest uses high-voltage DC power, which is ideal for highway stops and commercial use.
- Different types of charging systems for EV models.
- Public vs home charging – home charging is economical, while public charging offers convenience for long trips.
Electric vehicles are prevalent today, but their adoption has increased tremendously in the last decade. Several factors contribute to the adoption of electric cars, including government incentive policies for EV holders and people’s shifts toward green technology.
In this blog post, ChargeEco will cover three levels of EV chargers, their charging speed, power output, and the difference between Level 1 vs Level 2 vs Level 3 Charging Levels, public vs home charging solutions, etc.
What are the different levels of EV Chargers?
In Electric cars, 3 levels of EV charging prevail in the northern part of America. Three levels are Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, or D.C fast charging.
In addition, as the charging level increases, the power output at each level is also increased. It means, level 2 is faster than level 1 and level 3 is faster than level 2 of charging. Let’s deep dive into level 1 vs level 2 vs level 3 chargers, which are used in an electric car.
What is Level 1 EV Charging?
- Level 1 charging is a slow charging for an electric vehicle. In this charging type, a three-pin charger is plugged into the home 120 Volt AC socket, which is found in most northern American homes.
- There is a three-pin portable charger cable that is provided by the EV manufacturer at the time of an EV purchase.
- This cable is easily compatible with the same type of outlet in your house that is used for plugging in other electronic devices. Most of the electric vehicles that are used in carrying passengers from one place to another have an inbuilt J-Plug (J1772) charge port.
- Through J-plug, they can charge their EV from any Level 1 standard electric outlet or their homes.
- People who drive Tesla’s electric cars don’t have a J-plug port; they have to buy another adapter to charge their EV from non-Tesla charging outlets.
Moreover, in level 1, charging type is the most economical level of charging, but it takes an enormous time to fully charge a battery in approximately 24 hours. According to various EV brands, 2-5 miles of range per hour of charging has been seen in the EV space at level 1 charging.
What is Level 2 EV Charging?
- Level 2 EV charging is faster than level 1 charging. In this charging type, a three-pin charger is plugged into a 240-volt outlet.
- This type of charging outlet is mostly found in college campuses, apartment complexes, and company vehicle parking areas.
- When it comes to the nozzle then EVs are easily connected by the same J-Plug, which is built into EVs, especially in North America.
- Level 2 EV charging type in the US comes with smart software. Software provides all the data regarding charging, the state of charging, and power levels.
- Level 2 charging is consuming more power output as compared to Level 1 charging. It includes sophisticated features like RIRD and Open Charge Point Protocol networking.
- According to various EV brands, 10-30 miles of range per hour of charging has been seen in the EV space at level 2 charging.
However, the cost of setting up a Level 2 charging system involves a huge amount of funds. Level 2 charging types become global standards, but nowadays, the D.C. type of charging is thriving in the EV space.
What is Level 3 EV Charging or DC Fast EV Charging?
- Level 3 EV charging is also known as DC fast charging in an electric vehicle.
- Level 3 electric charging is one of the fastest modes of charging for an electric vehicle among the three levels of charging.
- DC fast charging is very fast because it provides DC (direct current) to the battery, which is contrary to two levels.
- Household sockets operate on A.C. (alternating current), and this current is first converted by the onboard charger into D.C current, then it charges the battery.
- In addition to that, it is too costly and mostly seen on nearby highways. Level 3 charging is fit for heavy-duty electric vehicles.
- The chargers through which these EVs are charged are known as superchargers or D.C fast chargers.
This is the fastest level of charging among the three levels of charging. It can charge the EV in an hour. It uses 400V DC for charging the electric vehicle. After 20-25 minutes of charge, it’s ready to go for 60-110 miles approximately.
Level 1 vs Level 2 and Level 3 Charging
| Feature | EV Charging Level 1 | EV Charging Level 2 | EV Charging Level 3 or DC Fast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Output | 1-1.8 kW | 3-22 kW | 30-360 kW |
| Voltage | 120V AC | 240V AC | 400V DC |
| Charging Speed | 2-5 miles/hour | 10-30 miles/hour | 60-110 miles in ~20-60 mins |
| Cost | Low | Moderate | High |
| Use Case | Home charging | Residential/Public | Highways/Commercial |
Different Types of Charging Systems in Automobiles
There are multiple types of charging connectors and ports, which are given below are used in the EV charging system:
| Connector Type | Used For | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| J-Plug (J1772) | Level 1 and Level 2 | Most EVs except for Tesla |
| CHAdeMO | DC Fast Charging | Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi |
| CCS (Type 1 & Type 2) | DC Fast Charging | European and American EVs |
| Tesla Connector | All Tesla Chargers | Tesla Vehicles Only |
- AC charging
- DC Charging
- CHAdeMO
- JI772
- Wireless Charging
- EV Charging CCS Connector Type 1
- EV Charging CCS Connector Type 2
EV Charging Levels Speed Valuation
We covered all three levels of EV charging in the above paragraphs. Apart from this, it is also essential to know what the various speed levels of charging systems in each level of charging.
When it comes to the speed of any charging system in an electric vehicle then various parameters are considered, like EV charging level, Current output, type of connector used, and charge time and cost involved in it.
How fast does a level 1 charger charge?
Level 1 charging is the slowest of all time in electric vehicles. In a single charge from zero to full, it takes around 24-46 hours. It gives a range or mileage of 2-5 miles per hour of charging. It uses power output levels between 1kW to 1.8 kW but operates at 120V A.C. current. It is not feasible to use it daily for those in the taxi business due to its slow charging speed.
How fast does a level 2 charger charge?
Level 2 charging is much better than the Level 1 charging system. In a single charge from zero to full, it takes around 2.5 to 15 hours. It gives a range or mileage of 10-30 miles per hour of charging. It uses power output levels between 3kW to 22 kW but operates at 240V A.C. current. It is easily used in supermarkets, hotels, apartments, and company parking spaces.
How fast does a level 3 or DC fast charger Charge?
Level 3 or DC Fast charging is the fastest charging system of all time in electric vehicles. In a single charge from zero to full, it takes around 20 minutes to 1 hour. It gives a range or mileage of 60-110 miles per hour of charging. It uses power output levels between 30kW and 360kW but operates at 400V D.C current. It can be mostly used in heavy-duty vehicles.
Public vs Home Electric Types of Charging
There are two ways of charging systems solutions that cater to the demand of charging EV drivers and EV car owners. The first one is Home charging, and the second one is Public charging.
Home Charging
In home charging, there are two levels of charging involved: level 1 and level 2. In level 1 charger is provided by the EV company at the time of purchase of of EV, but in level 2, the charger is not given by the EV company. In North America, universal connectors, i.e. J-Plug are easily available in the marketplace, which is useful to charge EVs easily at Home.
Pros of Home Charging
- You can maximize the session of EV battery by 3-8 times faster due to level 2 charging.
- You can charge your EV at home while you spend time with your family members, and come back from the office, and all in a smooth manner.
- You can save a huge chunk of money by charging your EV at your home as compared to public charging and gasoline.
Public Charging
Public charging electric vehicles is far different from home-charging EVs. Its charging speed is too high, but it can be beneficial on numerous grounds, like moving consignment from one city to another and carrying industrial items in intra and inter-city visits. However, not all electric vehicle needs to support level 3 of charging. Therefore, it is so sacrosanct that you should know your EV battery capacity.
Pros of Public Charging
- Most public charging is available near shopping centers, restaurants, and parking lots, which helps drivers and EV owners quickly charge their EVs.
- You can find locations on several charging companies’ maps to know the distance of EV charging stations for quick charging.
- DC fast charging helps achieve autonomy, and it’s helpful or works better when your EV battery is below 80%.
| Types of Charging | Average Cost per kWh | Convenience Level |
|---|---|---|
| Home Charging | $0.10-$0.20 | High |
| Public Level 2 Charging | $0.20-$0.30 | Moderate |
| DC Fast Charging | $0.30-$0.50 | High |
Bottom Line
In conclusion, according to industrial standards, there are three types of charging levels of chargers for an electric vehicle. All electric charging types, level 1, level 2, and level 3, have their unique features and systems of charging to a battery. Where levels 1 and 2 are useful in home charging for short commuting, Level 3 or DC fast charging is mostly used for public charging for longer travels and heavy-duty activities. All three levels of EV charging are collectively known as EV charging infrastructure.
FAQ’s
What is the difference between a Level 1 and a Level 2 EV charger?
The main key differences between level 1 and level 2 EV chargers are design, charging capacity, and, most importantly, the locking pattern. Type 1 charger is a 5-pin design that can’t lock, but the Type 2 is 7 7-pin design that can be locked easily.
How many different types of EV chargers are there?
Three levels of EV charging methods are Level 1, Level 2, and D.C fast charging.
What are the different types of charging connectors used in EVs?
There are several types of charging connectors, like SAEJ 1772, Mennekes, CCS1, CCS2, CHAdeMO, Tesla connector, and GB/T.