What Are EV Charging Levels, Anyway?
Think of charging your EV like filling up a pool.
Higher kW numbers mean faster charging.
Joshua Seong
Typical charge time is a simple matter of dividing capacity by power.
For example, restoring 50 kWh at 5 kW will take about 10 hours.
Level 1 Charging Explained
Every EV comes with a free L1 charge cable.
Its universally compatible, doesnt cost anything to install, and plugs into any standard grounded 120-V outlet.
Since the average driver puts on 37 miles per day, this works out for many people.
Portable models plug into standard 240-V dryer or welder receptacles, but not all homes have these.
Level 2 charging stations are universally compatible with EVs equipped with the industry-standard SAE J1772 or J-plug.
Level 3 Charging Explained
Level 3 chargers are the fastest EV chargers available.
They typically run on 480 V or 1,000 V and arent typically found at home.
Charging fees might be based on an hourly rate or per kWh.
Depending on membership fees and other factors, L3 charging costs 12 to 25 per mile.
Level 3 chargers are not universally compatible and there is no industry standard.
Level 3 charging stations generally start at 50 kW and go up from there.
The CHAdeMO standard, for example, works up to 400 kW and has a 900-kW version in development.
Tesla Superchargers typically charge at 72 kW, but some are capable of up to 250 kW.
Such high power is possible because L3 chargers skip the OBC and its limitations, directly DC-charging the battery.
There is one caveat, that high-speed charging is only available up to 80% capacity.
After 80%, the BMS throttles the charge rate significantly to protect the battery.
Times shown in hours (h) and minutes (m).
