What are the three levels of EV Charging?

The 3 levels of EV Chargers

• Level 1 Chargers - 120V outlet, 1.3-2.4 kW, 3-8 KM of range per hour

• Level 2 Chargers - 240V outlet, 3-19 kW, 15-100 KM of range per hour

• Level 3 Chargers - 480V outlet, 50-400 kW, 250 KM of ranger per hour

Introduction

The EV charging market is confusing. This article aims to simplify it. We'll explore the three levels of EV charging and their significance. We'll focus on the essentials and discard the irrelevant details, providing a clear, high-level overview.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur thinking of making a profit from EV charging, a business owner looking to provide new amenities for customers or on the strata council of a residential building - the information here will be beneficial and guide you on your journey. Let's get started.

What is Level 1 Charging?

Level 1 charging is the simplest method for charging your Electric Vehicle (EV). These chargers use a standard 120V outlet, the same type of plug you’ll find at home. However, due to their lower voltage, charging takes forever.

Super Slow

Level 1 is the slowest charging level. Often referred to as "trickle charging," it can feel as though the energy is slowly trickling out. It's almost like trying to charge your car with an iPhone charger. For example, a Level 1 charger would take 32 hours to charge a Tesla Model 3, and approximately 6 hours for most plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

Output

With an energy output of approximately 1.5 kW - 2.5 kW, these chargers are painfully slow, providing only between 3 KM - 8 KM of range per hour of charging depending on the size of your car. That being said, Level 1 is convenient because you can charge overnight at home while you sleep but most EV drivers most EV drivers find Level 1 charging too slow to meet their daily driving needs.

What is Level 2 Charging?

Level 2 EV charging is a big upgrade from Level 1. These chargers use a higher power source of 208V or 240V. These chargers can either be hardwired or come with a cord and plug, although hardwiring is recommended. The range of kW speeds for Level 2 charging varies greatly, largely depending on the power input to the chargers. This will be largely dependant on how much power is going INTO the chargers. The more power pumped into the chargers results in the more power out of the chargers.

Mid Speed

The speed for level 2 chargers ranges from 3 kW - 19 kW providing approximately 15 KM to 100 KM per hour of charge. Level 2 chargers are the most common chargers you’ll find out in the wild. The chargers you see at malls, and grocery stores and community centres are usually level 2 chargers. Typically, a Level 2 charger can power up a Tesla Model 3 in about 6 hours, assuming the charger isn't exceptionally slow.

Most of the time, there is a fee to use these chargers, with the cost based either on a kWh per use or a time-based system. Companies such as Flo, HyperCharge, and ChargePoint offer Level 2 chargers throughout Canada.

What are Kilowatts (kW)?

As mentioned earlier, a Level 2 charger typically delivers power between 3 kW to 19 kW. To provide a frame of reference, consider a standard microwave, which uses around 1 kW of electricity. A Level 2 EV charger operating at full capacity is like having 19 microwaves running simultaneously for hours and hours. You can imagine the stress that would place on an electrical system.

How do I calculate the Kilowatts (kW)?

Now another aspect that can be slightly confusing is the relationship between Amps and Kilowatts. Sometimes people refer to the speed of a charger in Kilowatts and others use Amps. This is because they will give you the same information, just spoken in a different language.

To calculate the kilowatts of an EV charger, you first need to know the amperage of the breaker to which it is connected. The rule for connecting to a breaker is that you can use only 80% of the available amperage to prevent short-circuiting the electrical system. For example, if you are connected to a 100-amp breaker, you can only use 80 amps.

How about Voltage?

Another aspect to consider is the voltage. In most commercial buildings use 208V. While I usually base my calculations on 208V, there is a possibility that 240V could be used instead. To be certain, consult with an electrician or check your electrical room.

Okay, so how does this translate to EV Charging?

To calculate the kilowatt output of the charger, multiply the breaker size, which we'll assume is 100 Amp, by 80%, and then by the voltage, which is 208V. Then, divide the resulting number by 1000 to convert it to kilowatts.

100 Amp x 80% x 208V

or

100 x 0.80 x 208 = 16640 Watts

then

16640 / 1000 = 16.6 Kilowatts

How much does it cost to install a Level 2 EV Charger?

You can install Level 2 Chargers at home, but you'll need an electrician to assess your electrical capacity and handle the wiring. Currently, many Strata buildings are incorporating a few Level 2 chargers in their guest parking stalls for communal use. This is the most cost-effective solution at the moment, given that only around 5% of cars in residential buildings are electric. However, this percentage is steadily increasing each day.

If you’re looking for more information on installing chargers in a MURB please check out my EV Ready Plan post for more details.

What is Level 3 DC Fast Charging?

Level 3, also known as DC Fast Charging, is the fastest type of charging. Typically found along the side of highways or large shopping centres, DC Fast Chargers are ideal for long-distance driving when you need a quick power boost. These chargers can power up most Electric Vehicles to 80% in just 30 minutes. Operating at 480 volts, they deliver between 50 kW to 400 kW of power, making them significantly faster. An hour of charging on a Level 3 charger can provide your EV with approximately 250 KM of range.

How is Level 3 DCFC different from Level 2 EV Charging?

The biggest difference between Level 3 chargers and both Level 1 and Level 2 chargers is the type of current used. It’s the old Nikola Tesla versus Thomas Edison battle. Level 1 and Level 2 chargers utilize alternating current, while Level 3 uses direct current. Direct current is more efficient and can deliver power at much higher voltages, ranging from 200 to 600 volts. It is stronger but also more hazardous, which is why Level 3 chargers are not typically found in homes.

Not All EV’s Are Compatible with Level 3

Also, it's important to note that not all electric vehicles are compatible with DC Fast Chargers, as their batteries may not be equipped to handle such high power levels all at once. Only all-electric vehicles that are fitted with either a CHAdeMO or Combo socket can be charged at fast-charge stations.

Any Downsides to Level 3 DC Fast Chargers?

The problem is that DC Fast Chargers need massive amount of power to operate. They can only be used in large commercial settings because normal buildings don’t have enough power to support these monstrosities. If you hooked up a DC Fast Charger to an apartment building all the lights would shut off. They also cost north of $200K to install. People with EV’s love DC Fast Chargers simply because they charge much faster than any other charging option. These are the new gas stations.

Level 3 Power

The challenge with DC Fast Chargers is that they require a significant amount of power to function. Due to this, they can only be operated in large commercial settings, as typical buildings lack the power capacity to support these units. If you connected a DC Fast Charger to an apartment building, it would likely cause a power outage.

Cost of Level 3 Charging Station

Also, the installation cost is typically north of $200K. Despite these issues, EV owners love DC Fast Chargers since they offer a quicker charging solution compared to other options. These are the new gas stations.

Pros & Cons of Each Level of Charging:

Level 1

PROS

• Charging is simple and easy to install.

• Great for convenience and overnight charging for short distance driving.

CONS

• Charging is painfully slow.

• Not connected to the internet.

• Not suitable for long distance.

Level 2

PROS

• Probably the most reasonable form of charging at the moment.

• Delivers fairly quick charging speeds and can be installed in a wide variety of locations.

CONS

• More expensive install

• More expensive to operate since they use more power.

Level 3:

PROS

• Very fast charging compared to the other two levels.

• Usually best on the side of highways while traveling long distances.

CONS

• Install is very difficult and expensive.

• Not compatible with all electric vehicles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the three levels of EV Charging is essential to navigating the world of electric vehicles. Each level presents its own advantages and challenges. Whether you're an electric vehicle owner, an entrepreneur venturing into the EV charging business, or on a strata council, this knowledge can help guide your decisions. I truly hope this post will empower you to make the right choices and assist throughout your EV charging journey.

As always, feel free to reach out if you have questions or need help with anything.

Au Revoir

Strong Energy