Level 2 EV Chargers

 Level 2 EV Charging is the most popular way of charging electric vehicles. It provides faster charge times than Level 1 and can be used at home or in public places.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Level 2 Chargers, including how they work, how they compare to other levels of charging, and more.

The Difference between Level 1, 2 & and DC Fast Chargers

Level 1 Charging: 120-Volt

Level 1 EV chargers are the slowest and most basic type of charger. They use a standard 120V wall outlet, which is the same as what you would find in your home or office. Level 1 charging typically takes up to 12 hours for a full battery charge.

Level 2 Charging: 208-Volt to 240-Volt

Level 2 chargers are more powerful than Level 1 and can provide up to 240V. Level 2 chargers are generally what you will find in public charging stations, as well as at home charging stations. They can reduce a full charge time down to 4 to 6 hours.

DC Fast Charging & Supercharging: 400-Volt to 900-Volt

DC fast charging offers the fastest charging speeds and are considered to offer the best EV chargers. DC fast chargers significantly reduce charging times and are only available in public charging locations. A DC fast charger can charge an EV battery to 80% in as little as 30 minutes.

What Is Level 2 Charging?

Level 2 charging, or EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment), is a type of electric vehicle charging that uses an electric power cable and plug to supply 240 volts of alternating electrical current (AC) electricity directly to an EV. This method of charging provides the second fastest charging time in comparison to other levels of EV charging and is typically used in homes and workplaces as a way to charge the battery of an electric vehicle up to eight times faster than a standard wall outlet. You can even find portable unit charging options. As EV chargers become more advanced, features like being able to be controlled remotely via a smartphone app and Wi-Fi will become more common. Such key features will be a bit cheaper in the coming years, allowing more people to control charging affordably via their phone. 

Determining EV Charging Times

Once you have determined what type of charging equipment you need for your electric vehicle, the next step is to determine how long it will take to charge. This is largely dependent on the size of your car's battery and the speed at which the charger operates. In order to calculate the approximate time to charge your battery, you'll need to know the size of your car's battery in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This information can usually be found in the EV owner's manual or online. Once you have this figure, you can use it to calculate how long it will take to charge with a Level 2 charger.

Level 2 chargers typically provide between 3.3 kW and 19.2 kW, with most offering about 7kW. While a Level 1 charger can provide a maximum of 5kw, which makes it difficult to charge an EV quickly. To determine the time it will take to fully charge your battery with a Level 2 unit, simply divide the kWh of your EV battery by the kW output of the charger. For example, if you have a 24kWh battery and are using an 11 kW charger, it would take approximately 2.18 hours to fully charge the battery (24/11 = 2.18). Keep in mind that this is only an estimate, as charging speed can vary depending on the age and condition of your battery and other factors.

It is important to note that Level 2 chargers are more expensive than Level 1 chargers, as they provide much faster charging times. However, if you plan on using public EV charging stations or are frequently away from home charging, it may be worth investing in a Level 2 charger for the electrical upgrades.

Electric Vehicle Ranges per Hour of Changing

Level 2 EV charging is one of the most widely available and convenient ways to charge an electric vehicle (EV). Most EVs come with the capability to accept Level 2 charging, which is significantly faster than Level 1 charging and ideal for home charging. It usually takes around 4 to 6 hours to fully charge a battery from empty using Level 2 charging (especially with a Level 2 in-home EV charging station), compared to 12 to 20 hours using level 1 charging. The type of Level 2 EV charger you have will determine the amount of range your battery gains per hour of charging. Different vehicles also gain different amounts of range from the same charge rate.

Generally, most electric cars can add between 25 and 45 miles of range for every hour on a level 2 charger. However, some EVs can gain up to 60 miles of range per hour of charging. When looking at an EV’s specifications, you’ll often find the “charge rate” in kilowatts (kW). This is a good indicator of how much range your electric car will charge in an hour. For example, many EVs are rated for 7.2 kW, meaning they can gain up to 45 miles of range per hour on a Level 2 charger.

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EV Charging Levels FAQs