When it comes to investing in an electric vehicle (EV), having convenient options for charging it is more of a necessity than a convenience. Whether you’re planning to charge your new car at a nearby charging station or are looking to install your own at home, understanding the different types of EV chargers is an essential part of the process. Let’s go over the three types of EV chargers.
Level 1 Charger
A Level 1 EV charger should come with your new electric vehicle and acts as a portable charger for your vehicle rather than a charging station. Level 1 chargers can be plugged into a standard 120V outlet on one end and your car on the other, just like your laptop or phone. This ensures that all EV owners have the ability to charge their cars with ease.
Because they plug into a standard outlet, Level 1 chargers take longer than other chargers to fully charge your EV. This means it will take about 12 hours to charge 50 miles of driving range. For the average driver, plugging their car into a Level 1 charger each night means it will be ready to commute to work the next day.
Level 2 Charger
The other home EV charging option available is a Level 2 charger. Home electric car charging stations, which are sold separately from the car, are Level 2 chargers. These charging stations are plugged into a 240V outlet, which provides much more charging power than standard outlets. Level 2 charging stations can provide a full charge for your EV in about 8 hours.
Home charging stations are more complicated than Level 1 chargers, requiring some electrical work to install. Benchmark Electrical Services is a recommended Tesla charging station installer, providing the wall connector installation you’ll need for a Tesla Level 2 charger. Call on our professional team of electricians today for installation.
Level 3 Charger
Level 3 EV chargers are the fastest way to charge your car, but they aren’t a viable option for your home. Level 3 chargers, often referred to as commercial chargers, use Direct Current (DC) to fully charge your car in under an hour. You can find these charging stations at many gas stations and grocery stores as well as any other designated public charging station for a quick charge.
For more information about charging your electric vehicle or to schedule EV charger installation, contact Benchmark Electrical today.