When it comes to powering your electric vehicle, there are three main EV charging levels - Level 1, Level 2, and DCFC. Despite the visibility of public charging stations, over 80% of EV charging still takes place at home. Don't live in a single-family home? More and more businesses, offices, apartments, and retailers are adding commercial charging stations for public and private users, and thanks to public-private collaborations, travelers can now find DC Fast Chargers near highways. Ready to learn the difference between the three types of charging levels? Here's what you need to know.
Level 1 Charging
Level 1 chargers are intended for home use and overnight charging, taking as long as a day to charge an EV fully. Cords and equipment for Level 1 chargers typically come with the purchase of an EV. Level 1 chargers only require 120V outlets and charge a car slowly. Level 1 EVSE use about the same amount of electricity as any large appliance, such as a refrigerator or clothes dryer, and most do not require complicated re-wiring. Drivers can simply plug into a regular outlet-charging time: 3-7 miles per hour.
Level 2 Charging
Level 2 chargers are much faster. Many EV drivers install Level Two chargers in their home garages to charge faster. The new Blink HQ 150 is a new home option that is easy to install, making charging a breeze. It offers 32 amp charging on a standard 240 AC circuit. Simply plug in the 25 ft cable to your EV and start charging immediately—charging time: Around 25 miles per hour.
Level 2 chargers are also preferred by businesses looking to include EVSE as an amenity or paid service. One of the most exciting additions to the Blink family—the IQ 200 –is a Level 2 Charger. Blink IQ 200 Level 2 chargers feature a revolutionary 80-amp charging capacity on a 100-amp circuit, allowing drivers to go further and faster than ever before and enabling businesses to save on EV chargers. Charging time at the IQ 200 is 30-65 miles per hour. Learn more about the latest Blink commercial charging stations.
Level 1 and Level 2 chargers work much the same way. The station charges the EV with AC, or alternating current, then it is converted inside the car to DC, or direct current, to charge the DC battery.
All plug-in electric vehicles including plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV) can use Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.
DC Fast Chargers
DC Fast Chargers (DCFC) are sometimes called Level 3 chargers and are popular with businesses, especially truck stops or travel plazas, wherever there are customers who want to get back on the road fast. They do not charge an EV first with AC power. The reason they are so fast is that they use 480 volts to charge the battery directly with DC power. DCFC usually charge a car over 80% in around half an hour.
However, while DCFC are faster, the are not always the right charger for every charging session:
Due to the higher cost of electricity, DCFC are more expensive to use than a Level 2.
Not all cars can use DCFC, while all plug-in EVs can use Level 2 chargers.
DC fast chargers cost more to use and can shorten battery life when used regularly.
Why Are There Multiple EV Charging Levels?
Level 1 and Level 2 chargers work much the same way. The charging station sends alternating current (AC) power to the onboard charger inside the car, where the AC power is converted to direct current (DC) power which can be stored by the EV battery. It is important to note that charging speed is regulated by the onboard charger, which may have a maximum power of 6kW, 7kW, 11kW, or 19kW. What this means is that an EV with a 7kW onboard charger will never be able to accept any more than 7kW, even if the charging station itself is rated for 19.2kW.
DC Fast Chargers, on the other hand, do not require the use of an onboard charger. DCFC deliver electricity directly to the EV battery. Many EVs also slow down or limit charging once the battery nears 80%. In general, in order to take full advantage of regenerative braking features and extend battery lifespan, it is not recommended to always charge your EV to 100%.
Note that while battery electric vehicles may use all three types of charging stations, plug-in hybrid EVs cannot use a DCFC.
Ready to learn more? Click here to learn more about the types of charging plugs.