Charging Stations

Charging Stations Overview

Level 1 Charging Station
(Residential)

Level 1 charging stations are considered the most affordable charging option available for all electric vehicles. This will most likely be the charger that came with your vehicle when you bought it.

On top of that, they can be extremely convenient for everyday use. They can be fitted into any standard wall outlet, and generally come tethered or untethered.

To give you a rough idea of how long it takes to charge your vehicle when using a Level 1 charging station, the average time to fully charge the battery is usually around 8 hours. This equates to around 5 miles per hour of charging. However, the overall charging time can certainly vary, from vehicle to vehicle.

Given the length of time to fully charge a vehicle, Level 1 charging stations are ideal for those looking for an efficient home charging station, to charge up cars overnight. However, they may not be the best choice for those who need faster charging.

Level 2 Charging Station

The majority of Level 2 EV charging stations are located in public or commercial parking spaces, at the workplace, or in residential areas. Level 2 chargers provide much faster charging compared to Level 1 chargers.

Charge in half the time as compared to a standard charger. A full charge can be obtained in between three and eight hours, depending on the model of your vehicle.

Adaptability: there will be an increase in battery capacity as electric vehicle technology advances. The larger the battery capacity, the longer the charge time will be. By upgrading to a Level 2 charger you are being proactive when it comes to your EV decisions.

Many different charging stations are available at this level. Our company offers a wide variety of electric vehicle chargers, we have electricians who are able to install these chargers, and we are even able to help you apply for government rebates.

Level 3 Charging Station (DCFC)

Compared with Level 2 charging stations, Level 3 charging stations are significantly faster. In most cases, a Level 3 charger can charge an electric car in between 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the charging needs of the vehicle and the power output of the charger, which makes fast charging convenient. Specifically, because a Level 3 charger needs to be able to deliver a much higher electrical power output than a Level 2 charger, they are more suited to commercial businesses, such as gas stations, and you don’t typically find these chargers used in homes or offices.

The fastest charging stations available today are Level 3 stations. The Level 3 charging stations are capable of delivering a power of 50 kW to 350 kW, which will allow them to add 300 miles of range at the high end, while at 50 kW, charging a passenger vehicle will increase its range by approximately 175 miles.

Please contact us if you need assistance finding the right charging equipment for your budget and needs as well as technical assistance in using your charger. Whatever your charging needs are, our knowledgeable team will help provide you with the right charging station that suits your requirements, whether it’s a Level 1, Level 2 or a Level 3, DCFC Fast Charger. In addition to installing all types of EV chargers, our licensed master electricians have extensive experience in this field. We do not recommend hiring any electrician or charging station without extensive experience. You can rest assured knowing you are getting the best products and installation available by calling our ChargeSmart EV certified electricians.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What are the different levels of EV charging?

There are three levels of EV charging. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. The higher the charging level, the higher the power output and thus the greater the speed of charging your electric vehicle. It is important to remember that the difference between Levels 1, 2, and 3 will ultimately affect vehicle charging times. To learn more about the different charging levels and to decide which one is most suitable for you, your vehicle, and your needs, you should contact ChargeSmart EV for more information on which charging station is right for you.

To understand how EV charging stations work, it is important to know how they are powered.

How are EV charging stations powered?

For EV charging, there are two types of electricity: Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC).

Alternating current vs. Direct current

Alternating Current (AC)
In your home or office, you'll always have AC power since electricity comes from the grid. AC, or alternating current, was so named because of the way it flows. This means that the direction of the current alternates periodically. Since AC electricity is capable of traveling long distances in an efficient manner, it is the global standard we all recognize and have direct access to. However, we do not eliminate direct current from our lives. In fact, we use it for powering electronics on a daily basis.

Direct Current (DC)
Direct current is the form of electric energy that is stored in batteries or used in the circuitry inside electric devices to provide power. As with AC, DC is named after how its power is transmitted; DC electricity moves in a straight line and supplies your device directly with electricity.

Charging Stations