Generally, there are three types of charging options: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. The third is called “DC fast charging.”
- Level 1: A 120V alternating current wall outlet can be used with the charger that comes with the car. Although the charging possibilities are nearly infinite, it takes time to charge.
- Level 2: 240-volt AC charging infrastructure makes up the majority of the public charging network installed today. In addition, if possible, EV owners install this type of dedicated home charger at home. This is much faster than Level 1 charging. The speeds are still slow enough to make it more helpful to think about it as a service that can be utilized at home or work overnight or during the day. The speed of Level 2 is unsuitable for long-distance drivers.
- Level 3: DC fast charging can be included in Level 3 EV charging even though the term is seldom used. For example, Tesla’s Supercharger system is a DC fast charger. Chargers powered by Version 3 of the Supercharger can deliver 250 kWh instead of the 120 kWh of the original chargers. According to its website, customers pay $0.28 per kWh.
The charging stations on the Electrify America network, which Volkswagen launched and now Ford supports, are 150 kW or 350 kW and can generate a substantial amount of power.
Combined charging systems (CCS) are SAE plugs that are used by non-Tesla DC fast chargers. Unfortunately, as with most older EVs, their onboard circuitry and power plug lack this functionality, reducing their effectiveness. So in these old EVs, fast chargers for DC cannot take advantage of the quicker charge times.
A second fast-charging specification used by Japanese companies is CHADEMO. For example, there is a CHADEMO charging port on the Nissan Leaf. However, these cars cannot be connected to SAE DC fast chargers without adapters. Therefore, CCS DC quick charging-compatible models cannot be charged at Nissan dealerships through the CHADEMO fast-charging network. Similar to other DC fast chargers, the initial capacity of CHADEMO chargers was 150 kWh, and the latest models are 350 kWh.
To conclude, the Tesla plug is proprietary, not shared with any other vehicle. It would be wise to buy an adapter if you drive a Tesla. This way, your car can be charged at different kinds of charging stations. For those who don’t own a Tesla, Tesla Superchargers may as well not exist to them.
Making it your own
Level 2 chargers are installed at home and work, making them the most convenient to charge EVs. In addition, because DC fast charging can be costly, this is by far the most cost-effective approach.