There are three different types of electric vehicle (EV) chargers. The type of charger used will determine how long it will take to charge your EV. The three levels of charging are Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. The Level 3 charging category includes two categories, the DC Fast Charging category, and the Tesla Supercharging category. The higher the charging level used the faster your EV will charge.

Your EV is pre-programmed to accept a specific amount of charge. When it is plugged into a charging station it will accept the amount of charge that it can handle regardless of the amount of power that the charger can deliver. There is no danger of over-charging your EV.


Level 1 charging is accomplished with a regular 110-volt household outlet. It is the slowest way to charge an EV or plug-in hybrid (PHEV). According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the vehicle gains approximately 3 to 5 miles for each hour that it is plugged in. Level 1 charging from a standard wall outlet works well for PHEVS that have smaller batteries and may not drive more than 40 or 50 miles per day. However, EVs with larger batteries, generally require more charge than could be obtained from charging overnight on a standard wall out. Generally, a Level 2 charging will meet the needs of Electric Vehicle owners.


Level 2 chargers are the most frequently used method for charging EVs. While these can be used at work and in public locations, they are most commonly used at home. They are the preferred home charging method because they will charge your EV approximately 10 times faster than charging with a Level 1 charger. If you charge our EV overnight with a Level 2 charger it will generally be fully charged the next day. Many EVs have apps that can be used to monitor charging and to set the car to charge in the evening or at night when electric rates are the lowest.

Level 2 chargers can deliver up to 40 amps which will provide your EV with 9.6 kW. There are more robust Level 2 chargers available that can provide up to 80 amps of power. However, they require a heavier line and dedicated breaker box at additional cost and slightly increased charging speed (see charger installation tips below).


Level 3 chargers are the fastest way to charge your EV. As noted above, they can provide your EV with 3-20 miles per minute. They provide DC charging as opposed to the Level 1 and Level 2 chargers which provide AC charge that is converted to DC charge by the vehicle. They are almost exclusively found in public places. It is very unlikely that your home would have the circuitry to install one or that a utility company would approve the installation. They are also cost- prohibitive ($10, 000 and up) for home use.

As noted in the table above, there are three terms for describing Level 3 chargers. In many cases they are known as "fast chargers", Tesla calls them superchargers, and Nissan has designated them as CHAdeMO chargers,

Charger Installation Considerations

According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), the costs to install a charger can range between $500 and $2,000 before incentives. Many states, cities, and power companies offer EV incentives that can include charger installation. You can search them at the DOE site below:

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives (energy.gov)

• As noted above, the more amps your Level 2 charger has the faster it will charge. Your EV will use about 80% of the amps available in your service panel. It is best to have at least 40 amps. With higher amp panels you will need to balance the charging capability with installation costs. Your car will not be damaged if the panel can provide more amps than the car can accept. Your EV will only accept and use the amps that it is capable of.
• Many homes will already have 240 Volt service for clothes dryers. Unless you are a licensed electrician installation of an electric charger is not a do- it-yourself project. Installing the charger farther from a service box can result in more costs.
• Use chargers from reputable manufacturers that have the UL approval certification.
• A charger can be installed in a fixed location on the wall, or it can be installed as a moveable charger with a longer cord. Installation of a charger with a 16-foot cord may offer flexibility for different charging locations, or for vehicles with charging ports in different locations.
• Many EVs have apps that can be used to monitor charging and to set the car to charge when electric rates are the lowest.

Special Charging Circumstances

1. EV owners that live in multiple unit housing can find EV charging resources on the below website:
   
   Alternative Fuels Data Center: Electric Vehicle Charging for Multifamily Housing (energy.gov)
   
   
2. If you are placing an EV charger outside make sure that your charger is NEMA 3 or NEMA 4 certified.
3. Except for Tesla, all EVs on the North American continent use the "J- Plug" or J1772 for charging. For Level 3 charging Tesla has a proprietary plug. Mitsubishi uses a plug known as the CHAdeMO, and other manufacturers use a plug known simply as the "Combo" plug.
4. Only Tesla EVs can be charged on a Tesla Supercharger. A Tesla EV can be charged on a CHAdeMO DC fast charger if they purchase an adapter.
5. Keep in mind that charging your EV on a Level 3 charger is more expensive than charging on a home charger. Level 3 chargers can charge either by the amount of time the EV is hooked up to the charger or by the amount of energy dispensed. Monthly charging service cards can be purchased to charge at a lower rate. In addition, many EV companies offer discounted charging through a charging service for a specific number of years if you purchase and EV from them.