Electric vehicles are prevalent these days, but their adoption has increased tremendously in the last decade. Several factors contribute to the adoption of electric vehicles, whether government incentive policies for EV holders or people’s shifts toward green technology. Thus, with the number of EV holders soaring, it’s necessary to understand the types of charging systems in an electric vehicle.
In this blog post, ChargeEco will cover Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 of charging, speed level of charging types, the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 charging, public vs home charging solutions, and much more about three levels of charging.
Three levels of charging types in the US
In Electric cars, there are three levels of charging that prevail in the northern part of America. Three types of charging systems 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 more faster than level 2 of charging. Let’s deep dive into the various electric charging types of an electric car.
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 mostly northern American homes. This three-pin portable charger cable is always provided at the time of an EV purchase.
This cable is easily compatible with the same type of outlet in your house which is used for plug in other electronic devices. Most of the electronic vehicles that are indulged 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 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.
Level 2 EV Charging
Level 2 EV charging faster than level 1 charging. In this charging type, three-pin charging is plugged in with 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. In Level 2 EV charging type in the US, comes with smart software. Softwares provides all the data regarding charging, bill of charging, and power levels.
However, the cost of setting up a Level 2 charging system involves a huge amount of funds. However, Level 2 charging types become global standards but nowadays, the D.C. type of charging is thriving in the EV space.
Furthermore, level 2 charging is consuming more power output as compared to Level 1 charging. Level 2 charging system 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.
Level 3 or DC Fast EV Charging
Level 3 EV charging is also known as DC fast charging in an electric vehicle. Level 3 electric charging types is one of the fastest modes of charging for an electric vehicle among three levels of charging.
In other words, Level 3 charging is very fast because it provides D.C (direct current) to the battery which is contrary to two levels. Household sockets operate on A.C (alternative current) and this current is first converted by the onboard charger into D.C current then it charges the battery.
It can charge the EV in an hour. It uses 400 Volt DC for charging the electric vehicle. On 20-25 minutes of charge, it’s ready to go for 60-110 miles approximately.
Moreover, it is too costly and it is 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 super fastest level of charging among the three levels of charging.
Speed Levels of Electric Charging Types
We covered all types of charging systems in the above paragraphs. Apart from this, it is also an essential aspect that what are 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 quick is a Level 1 Charging?
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 who are in the taxi business due to its slow charging speed.
How quick is a Level 2 Charging?
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 quick is a Level 3 or DC Fast Charging?
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 min to 1 hour. It gives a range or mileage of 60-110 miles per hour of charging. It uses power output levels between 30kW to 360 kW but operates at 400V D.C current. It can be mostly used in heavy-duty vehicles.
Public vs Home Electric Charging Types
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 it’s 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 in the Home.
Pros of Home Charging
- You can maximize the session of the 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 offices, 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 vehicles electric vehicles are 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%.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, according to industrial standards, there are mainly three levels of charging for an electric vehicle. All electric charging types level 1, level 2, and level 3 have their unique features and system 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 far long travels and heavy-duty activities. All these types of charging systems are collectively known as EV charging infrastructure.
FAQ’s
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 of EV charger?
The main key differences between type 1 and type 2 EV chargers are design, charging capacity, and most importantly the locking pattern. Type 1 charger is 5 pin design that can’t lock but layer 2 is 7 pin design that can be locked easily.
What are the EV charging types in the US?
Three EV charging methods are Level 1, Level 2, and D.C fast charging.
