Types of Electric Vehicle Charging

Think three's a crowd? Not when it comes to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Variety of choice means added flexibility and convenience. There are currently three charging options available to EV drivers: Levels 1, 2, and 3 (also called DC Fast Charging). If you drive with any regularity, you could end up using all three at some point. Let's have a look at each one's distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Level 1 Charging

Level 1 charging uses the same 120-volt current found in standard household outlets. Most EVs come with a charging cord that can plug right into a wall outlet.

Advantages

Disadvantages

  • Slow charging: Typically 3-5 miles of range per hour of charge
  • Not very efficient when charging on the coldest days, since the car’s battery heater uses most of the power

Works best for

  • Overnight charging for EVs driving 40 miles or less daily
  • Charging somewhere without a dedicated EV charging station

Plugs

  • J1772 or NACS (J3400) depending on the vehicle and charging equipment

Level 2 Charging

Level 2 charging uses 208- or 240-volt power to enable faster regeneration of an EV’s battery system. This type of charging typically requires upgraded electrical wiring capable of handling higher voltage power, as well as installing a charging station. 

Most EV users do the vast majority of their charging at home using a Level 2 charger. Plug-in America’s PlugStar tools show many Level 2 charging stations currently on the market. Your electric utility might offer free Level 2 charging equipment or other incentives when you buy an electric car. 

Level 2 charging incentives

Advantages

  • Faster charge time: Typically 20-30 miles of range per hour of charge
  • More energy efficient than Level 1, meaning you use less electricity to gain the same amount of battery charge
  • There are a wide variety of products that meet different needs, like systems that can schedule charging or collect fees
  • Often required for accessing discounted EV charging rates from your utility
  • Better charging performance in winter conditions

Disadvantages

  • More expensive to install than Level 1, and in some cases may require an electric service upgrade
  • For businesses: Potentially higher impact on peak demand charges

Works best for

Plugs

  • J1772 or NACS (J3400) depending on the vehicle and charging equipment

Level 3 Charging

Level 3 charging, also known as DC Fast Charging, generally provides compatible vehicles with an 80% charge in 20-40 minutes. DC Fast Chargers are mostly used for longer-distance EV travel, but some EV drivers without access to home charging may find them convenient, too.

There are currently three types of plugs for DC fast charging: CHAdeMO, SAE Combined Charging System (CCS), and NACS (J3400). Over the next few years, all automakers will be converting to the NACS plug, which was historically exclusive to Tesla.

Plug standardization will enable greater availability of Tesla’s supercharging network to non-Tesla vehicles, and help streamline public charging infrastructure development.

See Level 3 chargers in Vermont

Advantages

  • Very fast: You can often charge in the time it takes to grab a snack at the rest stop

Disadvantages

  • Significantly more expensive to install than Level 2 equipment (usually over $50,000)
  • Frequent use (multiple times a week) may impact long-term battery health
  • For businesses: Potentially increased peak demand charges on your electric bill. Check with your utility before installing.
  • Different plug types can be confusing. (This is starting to change!)
  • Depending on the vehicle and charging equipment, fast charging can be slowed during cold weather

Works best for

  • Road trips
  • Businesses that customers will visit for short periods, like grocery stores and coffee shops

Plugs

  • NACS (J3400): The NACS plug was historically exclusive to Tesla, but every automaker has announced plans to transition to NACS over the next few years. As this transition occurs, automakers are beginning to offer adapters that allow non-Tesla EVs with CCS plugs access to Tesla’s NACS fast-charging network.
  • CHAdeMO: CHAdeMO is a lesser-used plug found on a few older EV models from Asian manufacturers like the Nissan LEAF, Kia Soul EV, and Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
  • CCS: The CCS plug is currently used on most non-Tesla EV models for fast charging.

Thinking of installing an EV charging station?