EV Charger 101
What is the difference?
Level 1 Charging
- 120 Volt Cordset.
- 120 VAC standard outlet.
- Delivers power from the wall to the vehicle’s on-board charger.
- Time from fully depleted to fully charged: average 7-29+ hours. Typically provided with your Electric Vehicle.
Level 2 Charging
- 240 Volt PortableCordset or Wall-mounted Charging Station.
- 208-240 VAC installation
- Delivers AC power from the wall to the on-board charger.
- Time from fully depleted to fully charged: average 2-10+ hours depending on vehicle.
Level 3 Charging
- High-powered DC Fast-charge Station.
- 400-600 VAC installation
- Delivers DC energy bypassing the on-board charger.
- Time from fully depleted to fully charged in about 30 minutes.
Why L2
Convenience
Level 2 chargers allow you to charge your electric car in just a few hours while you sleep, work, enjoy a meal, or spend time with your family. A level 2 charger safely delivers AC power to your electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid so you’re always “fueled up” and ready to go.
energy efficient
Charge nearly 3 to 5 times faster than a Level 1 cordset, so you can get more miles conveniently. Reliable, safe, and energy efficient charging. Save money by utilizing off-peak rates when charging your vehicle.
Different L2 Options
Higher voltage
Level 2 charging refers to the voltage that the electric vehicle charger uses (240 volts). Level 2 chargers come in a variety of amperages typically ranging from 16 amps to 40 amps. The two most common Level 2 chargers are 16 and 30 amps, which also may be referred to as 3.3 kW and 7.2 kW respectively. These two amperages are the most common because they match the onboard charger (OBC) on many of the current electric vehicles.
Greater Amp Charger
Depending on the amperages, the difference between Level 2 chargers could be significant in charging times. Explore your options for both 16 and 30 amp chargers in our online store.