Whether you’re just getting into electric vehicles or you’re a longtime fan, there are plenty of chargers on the market to choose from. But which ones are the best? There are three primary types of EV chargers. They all offer different charging speeds and power levels.
Level 1 Chargers
Level 1 chargers are typically bundled with new electric vehicles. They are plugged into a standard household outlet and deliver about 5 miles of charge per hour. Level 2 EV chargers are up to four times faster than the basic Level 1 option and can complete a full battery charge in three to eight hours. This type of EV charging is ideal for most drivers who drive long distances or need to recharge at home frequently. . Another clever feature is load-balancing, which dynamically adjusts the charge rate to ensure that it doesn’t overload the main grid supply circuit and trip the meter. This is particularly useful for households with multiple best ev chargers.
Unlike Level 1 chargers, which produce 1.3 kW to 2.4 kW, Level 2 EV chargers deliver a higher power output of about 25 amps. The additional power increases the speed of charging and provides more power for a larger battery to allow you to drive longer before you have to stop and charge your car. A Level 1 EV charger is slow and inefficient, especially for drivers who need to recharge their cars on the road or at work. Upgrading to a Level 2 charger is essential for most EV owners who want to maximize their driving range and reduce their stops at public charging stations.
Level 2 Chargers
Level 2 chargers are more popular than ever and offer a wide range of power outputs. Some come with features like RFID cards, load balancing and OCCP (Open Charge Point Protocol) networking. These devices can be installed in single-family residences, multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) and commercial buildings. Typically, networked chargers feature automated energy management tools that can monitor your energy use and help you save money by recharging at lower rates when electricity is cheaper.
They also come with a longer connector cord, which can be useful if you need to park your car in a different spot each time it charges. However, longer cords can be bulky and may need to be tucked away. When choosing a Level 2 charger, it’s important to understand your car’s maximum charge rate. This is usually listed in kilowatts and should be calculated at 240 volts to determine the best level of output for your vehicle.
Level 3 Chargers
Unlike Level 1 and Level 2 charging which use alternating current (AC), Level 3 charging uses direct current (DC). This means that a Level 3 charger can charge an electric vehicle at a rate of up to 20 miles of range per minute. This type of charger is best suited for people who drive long distances and are in need of fast charging. It also works well for people who need to charge their vehicles more often, such as people who work from home.
Although the majority of public EV chargers are Level 2, a few Level 3 EV charging stations are becoming more commonplace. You can search for these ev chargers using a tool like ChargerHub and find out if there are any in your area.
Smart Chargers
The best EV chargers are smart, and come with a range of features that make it easy to start or stop charging remotely and check on the status of your charging session. Some also work with utility demand response programs that can help you save on your electricity bill. Smart EV chargers connect with users and operators via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This data is sent to a cloud-based management platform, which analyzes it in real time and makes decisions about how and when to charge EVs.
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For example, they can optimise charging by using solar power, scheduling charge times during low energy rates and avoiding peak pricing. This can reduce costs for both owners and drivers, as well as lower the risk of grid connection upgrades
