But what is a Level 3 charger, how fast can it charge an EV, and how does it fit in with the other levels of EV charging stations? This guide will answer those questions for businesses that are considering adding a Level 3 charger to their facilities, as well as for individuals who want the minimum Contact online >>
But what is a Level 3 charger, how fast can it charge an EV, and how does it fit in with the other levels of EV charging stations? This guide will answer those questions for businesses that are considering adding a Level 3 charger to their facilities, as well as for individuals who want the minimum amount of downtime between EV road trips (just don''t plan on installing one in your home garage, unless you have the budget and electrical infrastructure to back it up).
A Level 3 charger is an apparatus designed to intelligently charge the batteries of supported electrical vehicles at a speed that far outpaces other charger classes. Aside from their relative speed, the most important thing to know about Level 3 chargers is they are not nearly as standardized as Level 1 chargers or Level 2 chargers. While the two lower levels use the common SAE J1772 or "J Plug" connection (with the exception of Tesla chargers, which require proprietary adapters to work with standardized charging stations), there are no less than three different types of connectors for Level 3 chargers:
These differences are reflected in common trade names for Level 3 chargers. Depending on which manufacturer you ask, the answer to "what is a Level 3 EV charging station" may be "a Tesla Supercharger" or "a DC Fast Charger" or beyond. But the most important distinction is what makes Level 3 charging so fast, and that difference comes down to current and kilowatts.
A Level 3 charger''s output runs from 50kw to 350kw, letting it deliver the equivalent of up to 20 miles worth of range per minute to an EV. This level of speed is possible not only because a Level 3 charger transfers a great amount of electricity quickly, but also because it does so in a form that can be more easily stored by the EV.
Electricity is transmitted across the power grid with an alternating current, but most batteries—whether disposable, in your phone, or in your car—use a direct current. This means the electricity''s current must be converted before it can be used to recharge your battery, and Level 1 and Level 2 chargers rely on an EV''s built-in converter to handle the task. Level 3 chargers convert the electricity from AC to DC internally, allowing them to directly feed the current to an EV at a much greater rate than the vehicle''s built-in converter could handle.
The speed of a Level 3 charging station shows what a potent asset it can be for owners and drivers alike when managed correctly. If you''re considering outfitting a charging destination with Level 3 chargers, keep in mind you''ll also need the right software to manage it.
The cost of installing and operating a Level 3 EV charger is steep. Here are some figures to find as you arrive at your estimate:
All told, you should expect at least five-figure costs to install the first of your Level 3 EV charging stations. You should prioritize placing them at high-traffic locations, such as a site off a major highway exit or beside another busy thoroughfare, to maximize returns from this investment.
Though they''re the fastest, Level 3 charging stations aren''t the only option for commercial and residential properties. What is a Level 3 charging station''s speed compared to the alternatives, as well as their cost and complexity? Here''s what you need to know.
Level 1 charging stations are also referred to as portable charger cables, and they''re commonly bundled in with the purchase of an EV. These cables move electricity at a trickle compared to Level 3 chargers, topping out at 2.4kW which could take days to fully charge a typical EV''s battery. However, Level 1 chargers come with one substantial benefit: You can plug them into any standard 120V outlet. Given their convenience and lack of installation costs, these cables may be all some short-distance or infrequent commuters need.
For many applications, Level 2 chargers occupy the sweet spot between expense and speed. They can deliver anywhere from 3kW to just under 20kW of AC power to EVs, which roughs out to about 30 to 50km (20 to 30 miles) of range per hour of charging. Still quite a bit slower than Level 3 chargers, but fast enough to top out an EV''s battery if a patron leaves their car parked at the mall parking lot for a few hours or overnight in their garage. Since Level 2 chargers can plug into standard 240V outlets (the same used for clothes dryers and other large electrical appliances), they''re also quite a bit cheaper to install than Level 3.
Whether you''re running a massive fleet of chargers from different manufacturers, are building your own EV charging business and need a white-label solution, or are starting your very first location, you need the right software to run it all. At ChargeLab, we''re building the most powerful and secure EV charging software, all created on open standards for optimal compatibility with leading hardware. Contact us today to find out how you can join other leaders in the space on our intuitive platform.
We''re looking for the best engineers and operators to help build the future of EV charging.
Despite the fact that electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for over a century, they are still a relatively new addition to the global transportation mix. One of the most significant changes drivers will notice as a result of EVs'' quick rise in significance is the way we fill up our "tanks."
EVs and the electric mobility infrastructure that supports them has come a long way in the short time since the turn of the century. For many, this has resulted in a confusion about the many different types of EV charging, their names, and which is best for particular EVs and drivers.
EV drivers can pick from three different forms of EV charging today: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. The newest addition to the electric mobility scene is Level 3 charging, commonly known as fast or DC charging. In this article we will answer all of the questions you''ve had regarding Level 3 charging.
The difference between the three Levels of charging all comes down to the power output that flows from the charging station. The power output, in turn, has a direct relationship with charging times. The higher the output, the faster the charge. Similarly, the higher the level, the more power output of the charging station. Here is a brief overview of the three different Levels:
Level 1 charging is the slowest way to charge an electric vehicle and mainly reserved for home charging. As Level 1 charging works by plugging an electric vehicle into your regular wall outlet, the maximum output for Level 1 charging stations is between 1.3 kW to 2.4 kW, or the equivalent of approximately 3 to 5 miles an hour.
If you would like a more in depth analysis of the differences between the three Levels of EV charging before we take a deeper look into Level 3 charging, check out this blog: EV charging Levels explained.
As electric mobility, in general, and particularly the charging infrastructure industry, is evolving rapidly, the terminology for many different technologies has diverged.
Confusing as it may be for drivers, many of these terms can mean the same thing. What some may call Level 3 charging, others may call DC charging, quick charging, rapid charging, fast, or even ultra-fast charging.
Essentially, all of the listed terms refer to all charging stations that convert the current before it reaches the vehicle.
When it comes to charging, Level 3 EV charging is the fastest of the three available. Depending on the power output, a Level 3 charger can charge an electric car in minutes compared to the hours it takes for both Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.
For instance, at the highest power output, a Level 3 charger can charge an electric car to 80 percent in between 15 and 60 minutes. Due to the rapid pace of charging, Level 3 is perfect for short-stops along the motorway, inner-city, commercial businesses like petrol stations, and for business fleets like taxis or delivery vehicles.
To understand how Level 3 charging works, it is important to know these two fundamentals of EV charging first:
Therefore, these two factors mean that at some point, the power from the grid must be converted from AC to DC.
With Level 1 and Level 2 charging, the conversion from AC to DC takes place in the vehicle via an onboard charger. With Level 3 charging, the conversion takes place before the power reaches the vehicle inside the charging station, therefore bypassing the slower onboard charger and instead charging the battery directly. Whilst Level 3 chargers come in many shapes and sizes, they all have one thing in common: the conversion happens outside the vehicle.
Generally speaking, Level 3 charging will always be more expensive than Level 1 and Level 2 charging. When you opt for Level 3 charging, you''re charging your electric car extra fast, and, of course, that convenience comes at an additional fee.
How much exactly depends on many different factors: where you are charging? Are you being charged by kWh, by-the-minute, or maybe a combination of both?
Making the most out of Level 3 charging comes down to balancing price and convenience, and knowing what is best for your vehicle. For instance, many EVs have a maximum charging capacity in terms of how many kW''s the battery can take. If your vehicle''s maximum capacity is 50 kW and you are occupying an ultra-fast Level 3 charging station (259 kW) and paying by the minute, you''ll be paying extra for the same range.
Tesla owners, who, despite having their own Level 3 chargers dubbed "Superchargers", can also use Level 3 chargers, although certain models will require an adapter.
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