Electric vehicles can be charged at different speeds, with some being faster than others. Depending on the type of electric vehicle, there are different ways to charge it. Most cars are made to work with charging at Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.
Level 1 – 120 V AC Outlets
Included in this level of pricing are:
- Voltage -120V
- -3 to 5 miles per hour (depends on the model)
- Connection type –dual plug (J1772 or Tesla)
Level 1 charging is the slowest of all the different types of charging. At level 1, a full charge takes about 6 to 8 hours. At this level, you don’t need a voltage converter to charge the car. You can charge it right from the wall outlet.
When charging a car with a plug, the driver should check the charging connector for corrosion every so often to make sure it is still working. The first step is to make sure that the power outlet on the back of your electric vehicle hasn’t been accidentally damaged by a foreign object or a bumpy surface.
Level 1 charging is mostly made for plug-in hybrid electric cars. In level 1 charging, the batteries in the cars are smaller than in other levels.
Level 2 charging is 208-240 V AC
This level of charging for electric cars includes:
- Voltage -208-240VAC
- Speed between 12 and 80 miles per hour (depends on the model)
- J1772 or Tesla is the type of connection.
At level 2, a full charge takes 4 to 6 hours. Level 2 charging has a higher voltage of 208-240, which lets an electric car charge faster but costs more to set up.
Level 2 charging can be put in many places, like public charging stations, homes, and workplaces.
Most people who own electric cars prefer to charge them at home. The Level 208 or 240-volt charger is the most common charger for use at home. If you already have a household outlet that can handle the higher voltage, you can put in a level 2 charger at home (240 V). You can also buy battery banks in stores that you can charge inside your garage or shed.
Level 3: Fast Charging for DC
These things are part of the level:
- Voltage -400-900 volts DC
- Distance from -3 miles to 20 miles per minute
- Type of connection – fast charging station (Combined CHAdeMOand Tesla)
- Only found in public places
The fastest way to charge an electric car right now is with a Level 3 Fast Charger. The devices can charge an electric car to 80% in 30 minutes and to 100% in less than 60 minutes. Not all cars can be charged at this level, and if you don’t use a Level 3 charger correctly, it could hurt your car’s battery.
Level 3 charging uses a direct current instead of the alternating current that Levels 1 and 2 chargers use from the outlet.
The battery in the electric car has more power, but it only takes a short time to charge.
For this level, two Combined Charging System connectors from Tesla and one CHAdeMO connector are used to charge the car.
The speed of charging depends on the car, but many cars have been able to charge at these chargers in 30 minutes or less.
Most Level 3 charging systems are expensive, so most electric car owners have to charge their cars at public stations.
Conclusion
One of the fastest and easiest ways to charge is with Electric Vehicle Charging. It has different speeds, with the fastest being Level 3. You can charge your car by plugging it into an outlet or a public charging station.
If your car is close to an outlet, it can charge directly from that wall jack. A level 1 charger takes about 8 hours to charge, while a level 2 charger takes between 4 and 6 hours.
