Electric Vehicle Chargers
There are (3) charging levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
As a general rule, the higher the Level, the higher the power output from the charger and the faster it can charge.
Level 1 Charging:
Power Supply: 120-volt AC (standard household outlet).
Power Output: Typically up to 1.9 kW.
Charging Rate: Adds about 2 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging.
Use Case: Suitable for overnight charging at home or for topping up during the day.
Level 2 Charging:
Power Supply: 240-volt AC (similar to what large appliances like dryers use).
Power Output: Ranges typically from 3.3 kW to 19.2 kW, with 6.6 kW to 7.2 kW being common in residential installations.
Charging Rate: Adds about 12 to 80 miles of range per hour, depending on the power output of the charger and the vehicle’s charging capability.
Use Case: Common for both home and public charging stations; significantly faster than Level 1.
DC Fast Charging (Level 3 Charging):
Power Supply: 480-volt DC or higher.
Power Output: Varies widely, with common ranges from 50 kW to 350 kW, and some newer stations offering up to 400 kW or more.
Charging Rate: Capable of adding 60 to 200 miles of range in 20 to 30 minutes (highly dependent on the charger’s power output and the vehicle’s maximum charging rate).
Use Case: Primarily used in public charging stations for rapid charging during long trips.
Level 4 charging is under evaluation:
Due to the high voltages and amperages Level 4 charging consumes, it may not be suitable for residential installations.
The North American Charging Standard (NACS) was developed by Tesla, Inc. for use in the company's vehicles. It remained a proprietary standard until 2022 when its specifications were published by Tesla.
As of November 2023, automakers Ford, General Motors, Rivian, Volvo, Polestar, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Honda, Jaguar, Fisker, Hyundai, BMW, Toyota, Subaru, and Lucid Motors have all committed to equipping their North American vehicles with NACS connectors in the future.
Several manufacturers produce electric vehicle (EV) chargers, offering a range of products for different applications, including residential, commercial, and public charging stations. Some well-known manufacturers of EV chargers include:
ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, ChargePoint, EVBox, Tesla, Delta Electronics, WallBox, Legrand, Loop, and Leviton.
With so many renowned manufacturers in the EV market, electric vehicles will be around for a long time to come.
Whenever possible, we source our electrical supplies, including EV charging equipment, from our local electrical supply stores and distributors. Generally, the quality is much higher and we have no worries about fraudulent parts or false "nationally recognized safety listings" that happen too often when purchasing from online stores.
Please contact us for more information.
