Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular nowadays, so more and more car manufacturers are choosing to include this type of car in their offer. What makes electric cars special is that they run on electricity, so they require regular charging in order to work. This part is confusing for most people who are considering buying an electric car. The main question is whether all EVs can be charged on the same charger, or does each of them require a different type? Hey, we totally understand the fuss about it. No one wants their car to get emptied without them being able to charge it anywhere nearby. This can be really awkward. That is why we decided to make a small guide for you that will help you understand this topic a bit better. Do all electric cars use the same charger? Find out below.
Do all electric cars use the same charger?
The first thing you need to know is that there are standard plugs for electric vehicles that allow you Level 1 and Level 2 charging. This means that no matter what brand of EV you own, you will be able to charge it using these chargers that are present in a large number. You will most often find this type of chargers in your city.
After that, we have DC chargers that are not as common as the two we mentioned, but there are a lot of them and are definitely more common in big cities.
And finally, there’s the Tesla Supercharger. As its name suggests, this charger is currently only compatible with Tesla vehicles. This means that if you opt for Tesla, you will have a really wide selection of chargers. However, other brands also have a wide range of charging options. No matter which one you choose, you can be sure that you will find the optimal charger for it.
How many levels of charging are there and how do they differ?
When we talk about level 1 chargers, charging takes an average of about 10 hours (plus or minus 2 hours). A 120 volt AC plug is used for this charge level. They can be plugged into any standard electrical outlet. The voltage is lower than in the other two levels, which is the reason for the longer charge when using such plugs. You can carry out Level 1 of charging in your household if you have a standard three-pin plug and a suitable car connector, which can be very practical. However, the obvious limitation is the length of the charge, which can be a serious obstacle for some drivers.
Significantly faster charging is achieved by using Level 2 chargers thanks to the fact that they use a 240 volt AC plug. Level 2 charging time varies greatly depending primarily on charging speed and battery capacity. It can be very short – about 1 hour, up to 10 hours. Such chargers are mostly available at public stations, so this can sometimes be impractical.
Lastly, Level 3 charging is achieved by using 480 volt plugs, which allows your electric vehicle to charge in half an hour to a maximum of one hour. A CHAdeMO or CCS connector is used in Level 3 charging. We also mentioned the Tesla Supercharger with which the vehicle can be charged in just 15 minutes. You’ll agree that this is more than fast. However, as we have already said, this charger is only compatible with Tesla vehicles, which is its main limitation.
What if I want to achieve Level 2 charging in my household?
If you want to provide Level 2 charging for your EV in your household, you can do so with the help of professional services. If you live in the US you can probably just add a Level 2 charger circuit and you will need a dedicated 240 volt circuit. If it is located near a garage, you can also use an existing one (for example, circuit that powers the electric clothes dryer).
For Level 2 chargers you will have to set aside between two hundred and one thousand dollars, depending on which type you choose. The cost of installation can vary, so it is best to get in touch with professional services, such as the one you can read about on electriccarcharger.ie. We suggest that before you decide to install a Level 2 charger, you consult with their licensed electricians who will give you good advice and their expert opinion on how the installation should be done and which charger you should choose.
Is there any brand of electric vehicle that requires a special type of charger?
There is no brand of electric car that requires a special type of charger. All can be charged using a standard plug. This plug is suitable for both Level 1 and Level 2 charging. It is called J1772 or otherwise J-plug. Also, even if you have a non-Tesla EV and you have Tesla chargers available in the area, it is a good idea to get an adapter that will allow you to charge any other vehicle using this charger. Currently, three standard chargers are used for Level 3 charging, depending on the brand, but this will change in the future.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular these days, so more and more car brands are choosing to produce them. What is most confusing for all those who plan to buy an EV is what type of charger they will be able to use. There is currently a standard plug that can be used for Level 1 and Level 2 charging, otherwise known as a J-plug. You can also have this type of charging in your household. And in order to do that, it is necessary to buy a suitable charger and hire a professional service that will perform the installation. Level 3 charging includes one that only takes half an hour, but is much more expensive. In the future, we can expect the development of new charging systems that will certainly make the lives of electric vehicle drivers easier.
