Misc.
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Jan 17, 2020
Are Electric Charging Stations Universal?
Misc. |One of the key factors in deciding whether to get an electric vehicle (EV) and which model is the availability of public charging stations in the area. Are electric charging stations universal? We answer that question and more in our guide.
No, Not Every Charging Station Is Universal
While the infrastructure for EV public charging stations has rapidly increased recently, not every charging station is compatible with every EV. While, in most cases, the charging stations are compatible with most EVs, it’s not a guarantee.
The most common public charging station is a level 2 charger, and most EVs can use one, as many EVs come with a universal J-plug connector. The only exception is with Tesla vehicles, which have different charging technology and require an adaptor to charge on non-Tesla level 2 public chargers. Non-Tesla EVs can also charge on Tesla level 2 public chargers with the help of an adaptor.
The Three Levels of EV Charging
As we mentioned, most public charging stations are level 2 chargers, but what does that mean? Below, we’ll explain the three charging levels that all EV owners should know.
Level 1
Level 1 charging is the simplest and slowest form, requiring only a standard 120-volt wall outlet. If you have one of these outlets in your garage, you can charge your EV at home. However, it only adds about 3–5 miles to the battery range per hour of charging, depending on the EV model. Since they don’t deliver much power, no public charging stations are level 1 chargers.
Level 2
As we mentioned, level 2 charging is North America’s most common public charging station. Level 2 charging delivers double the power of level 1 charging with a 240-volt circuit. There’s a wide range of charging speeds for level 2 chargers depending on the EV model. Some can add as much as 80 miles to their range per hour of charging, while others are closer to 15 miles of added range.
Most level 2 electric charging stations are universal, besides Tesla models and Tesla charging stations, which require a special adaptor. Level 2 chargers are also the most common for those installing at-home charging stations.
Level 3
Level 3 chargers are also known as superchargers or DC fast charging stations. Level 3 chargers deliver significant power and can fully charge an EV in as quickly as half an hour.
But level 3 chargers also feature the most distinct charging technology based on the automaker. Most brands have a CCS connector (Ford, GM, BMW, Honda) or a CHAdeMO plug (Nissan, Mitsubishi, Kia, Hyundai), while Tesla has their own supercharger plug.
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