What should you know about EV charging levels, connectors, and the infrastructure for them? Here are some items to know about EV charging.

Electric vehicles aren’t brand new to the market and actually date back much further than you might expect. That said, it wasn’t until the last dozen years or so that EVs have become popular enough to require an infrastructure for recharging the batteries or the development of faster charging capabilities.

Here are some important things to know about EV charging that will help demystify the confusion surrounding these vehicles.

How many levels of charging are there?

Currently, there are three distinct levels of charging that can be used for most electric vehicles. In many cases, modern EVs won’t charge quickly or effectively using Level 1 charging, but its still part of the available charging network. Let’s take a look at all three charging levels to understand what they offer.

Level 1

The most basic form of EV charging is Level 1. This means using a regular household 120V outlet to charge your electric vehicle. This is the slowest way to charge any vehicle, but it is the most widely available and convenient way to replenish the batteries, especially if you only drive your vehicle a few times per week. The charging rate using a Level 1 plug is about two to four miles of additional range per hour. This is the least efficient way to charge your EV, but it could work for some drivers who don’t drive often.

Level 2

The most useful type of charging is what you can use at home. Level 2 charging utilizes a 240-volt outlet, which is the same power as your clothes dryer needs. In most cases, in order to effectively charge your EV at home, you need to have a Level 2 charging plug installed in your home that can be used when you need to replenish the batteries. Most automakers offer an included Level 2 charger with the purchase of an EV, but they don’t include installation of a new 240-volt plug that operates separately from your clothes dryer.

The movement toward electric vehicles is extremely dependent upon EV owners adding a Level 2 charging outlet to their homes. In general, a Level 2 charging system can replenish EV batteries overnight. You’ll need to consult an electrician to ensure your home’s electric panel can support your new EV charging setup.

You may also find Level 2 chargers in many public spaces, such as parking garages and parking lots. Other public chargers are Level 3, and you need to know the difference.

Level 3

Level 3 chargers are the quickest of all three systems and they are also known as DC fast-chargers. These chargers are extremely useful on long trips and make it possible to take EVs on road trips because of the fast charging time. The speed at which these chargers operate depends on the setup, which can add between 100 and 250 miles of additional range in 30-45 minutes. The higher voltage means you can’t charge to 100% of the battery’s capacity while attached to the Level 3 charger.

These DC fast chargers operate at as little as 50 kW and as much as 500 kW, depending on the EV and the charger. Once an EV battery reaches 80% of the full charge, a Level 3 charger changes and slows down considerably. This is done to prevent overheating and overcharging.

Most automakers advise charging only to 80% when using Level 2 and Level 3 chargers.

What about the connectors?

Most EVs come with different connectors that you can utilize based on the speed of the EV charging being done. Level 1 and Level 2 charging uses a standard round port, which is called a J1772 connector. There are a few different types of connectors being used for Level 3 charging, including CCS and NACS connectors. The NACS connector is becoming the standard across the industry.

Some EVs use the CHAdeMO connector, but this plug is becoming obsolete. Soon, the CCS will also be obsolete, and all EVs will utilize the same connector.

Is the infrastructure ready?

You’ve probably seen more EV Level 3 charging stations along your route, especially during road trips, but the infrastructure growth hasn’t kept up with the increased number of EVs on the road. Still, most electric vehicles charge at home using Level 2 chargers, which makes them useful for most driving needs. If you’re considering an electric vehicle, now you know a little more about how to charge it and the various types of charging available to you.