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Charger Types and Speeds
EVs can be charged using electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) operating at different charging speeds.
Level 1
Level 1 equipment provides charging through a common residential 120-volt (120V) AC outlet. Level 1 chargers can take 40-50 hours to charge a BEV to 80 percent from empty and 5-6 hours for a PHEV.
Level 2
Level 2 equipment offers higher-rate AC charging through 240V (in residential applications) or 208V (in commercial applications) electrical service, and is common for home, workplace, and public charging. Level 2 chargers can charge a BEV to 80 percent from empty in 4-10 hours and a PHEV in 1-2 hours.
Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC)
Direct current fast charging (DCFC) equipment offers Rapid charging along heavy-traffic corridors at installed stations. DCFC equipment can charge a BEV to 80 percent in just 20 minutes to 1 hour. Most PHEVs currently on the market do not work with fast chargers.
Level 2 and DCFC equipment has been deployed at various public locations including, for example, at grocery stores, theaters, or coffee shops. When selecting a charger type, consider its voltages, resulting charging and vehicle dwell times, and estimated up-front and ongoing costs.
The figure below shows typical Level 2 and DCFC charging stations 1.
EV Charging Minimum Standards Rule
FHWA, with support from the Joint Office of Energy Transportation, unveiled new national standards for federally funded EV chargers in February 2023. These new standards aim to ensure that charging is a predictable and reliable experience for EV drivers. This includes ensuring that drivers can easily find a charger, do not need multiple apps and/or accounts to charge, chargers work when drivers need them to, and are designed to be compatible in the future with forward-looking charging capabilities.
The rule establishes minimum technical standards for charging stations, including required number of charging ports, connector types, power level, availability, payment methods, uptime/reliability, EV charger infrastructure network connectivity, and interoperability, among other standards and requirements.
Overview of EV Chargers
The below table summarizes the typical power output, charging time, and locations for PHEVs and BEVs for the different charger types. For more information on the power requirements of different chargers, see the Utility Planning section of the toolkit.
1 Note that charging speed is affected by many factors, including the charger manufacturer, condition, and age; air temperature; vehicle battery capacity; and vehicle age and condition.
2 Different vehicles have different charge ports. For DCFC, the Combined Charging System (CCS) connector is based on an open international standard and is common on vehicles manufactured in North America and Europe; the CHArge de Move (CHAdeMO) connector is most common for Japanese manufactured vehicles. Tesla vehicles have a unique connector that works for all charging speeds, including at Tesla’s “Supercharger” DCFC stations, while non-Tesla vehicles require adapters at these stations.
3 AC = alternating current; DC = direct current.
4 Assuming an 8-kWh battery; most plug-in hybrids do not work with fast chargers.
6 To 80 percent charge. Charging speed slows as the battery gets closer to full to prevent damage to the battery. Therefore, it is more cost- and time-efficient for EV drivers to use direct current (DC) fast charging until the battery reaches 80 percent, and then continue on their trip. It can take about as long to charge the last 10 percent of an EV battery as the first 90 percent.
Charging Your Vehicle
Imagine never stopping at a gas station again, and instead, have an unlimited supply of fuel available at home or wherever you normally park. For many electric car drivers, this is a reality. All-electric cars never need gas, and for short trips, plug-in hybrids might use no gas.
Electric car charging is simple, cost-effective and convenient, particularly when you are plugged in at home—filling up your car even while you’re asleep. How long it takes to charge depends on the charging equipment and the size of the car’s battery and its available charging capacity.
Although electric car drivers primarily charge at home, workplace and public chargers are increasingly available in communities nationwide.
There are three convenient ways to charge your electric car.
I can charge at home any time I want, and it is quiet and drives beautifully!
It’s so quiet and quick. I wake up everyday with a full charge, ready to go.
No need to gas up weekly! After work I just come home and plug my car in.
See how easy it is to charge? Now compare electric cars and find out more about range.
Charging Basics
You can charge your electric car using standard 120 volt(V) home outlets (Level 1), 208-240V outlets like those used by your dryer (Level 2), or dedicated 480V public fast chargers (DC Fast Charging). The time it takes to charge using each of these three options depends on your drive and the size of the battery. Charging speed is also determined by the size of the vehicle’s on-board charger and the power lever of the charging equipment.
Level 1
Level 1 charging uses a standard 120-volt plug. Today, new electric cars come with portable charging equipment to allow you to plug in to any 120-volt outlet. Typically, the average daily commute of 40 miles can be easily replenished overnight with a Level 1 charger.
Level 2
In most cases Level 2 charging requires charging equipment to be purchased and installed. The typical Level 2 charger can replenish the same 40 mile average daily commute in less than 2 hours.
DC Fast Charging
DC fast chargers can provide 10 to 20 miles of range per minute.
DC Fast Charging is for public charging stations only and not for home use.
Most fully electric cars are equipped for DC Fast Charging today, but always be aware of your car’s charging connector before you try to plug in. You will either have a Tesla connector that can be used at a Tesla Supercharger, an SAE Combo connector or a Chademo connector.
Want to learn more on Fast Charging?
Check out this Quick Guide to Fast Charging by ChargePoint.
Level 1 and Level 2 Charging Options
Level 1: Electric cars come standard with a 120-volt Level 1 portable charger. Yes, these chargers can be plugged into a simple household outlet, and don’t require any special installation. Pretty cool, right?
Level 2: Drivers can also pursue a higher-powered Level 2 unit for sale and installation in their home. Shop Level 2 chargers and learn about incentives using our Home Charging Advisor. Learn more about home charging with our FAQs.
Tesla’s electric cars come with a plug-in 120/240-volt Level 1/2 charger. These require a 240-volt outlet, which most owners need to have professionally installed.
In general, most electric car drivers want the assurance and convenience of a quicker charge and eventually install the 240-volt, Level 2 charging ability in their home.
Home Charging Advisor
Find chargers and apply for incentives for charging your EV at home.
See how easy it is to charge? Now compare electric cars and find out more about range.
Workplace Charging
If charging at home is not an option or if you need to “top off” during the day for an extra errand, workplace charging is another convenient location to charge your car. Many employers are installing charging for their employees, so check with your company to see if this is an option for you.
If your employer has not implemented workplace charging yet, you can advocate that workplace charging is a good move. You can also provide them resources to help them consider the benefits.
Public Charging
Never fear! There are so many great charging station locators and mobile apps that help you find public charging stations when and where you need it. You can now expect public charging stations in public parking lots at the mall, the grocery store, movie theaters, community centers, arenas, hotels and airports.
Many are free or are offered at affordable prices, usually much less than the cost of gasoline.
You can search by charging speed and even by the station location you are interested, if it is available or currently in use.
Be sure to check with the car manufacturer and electric car driving manual for charging options that are right for your electric car. You may also need a subscription to charge with some of these networks, so plan ahead and do your research before going on that long road trip.
If you are a city or county looking to install public chargers in your area, check out the permitting video and resources to learn more about how you can increase charging in your area.
Electric Vehicle Charger Installation
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular every year. Unfortunately, charging them is sometimes difficult, as available charging stations can be few and far between. With the demand for electric cars increasing, home charging stations are rapidly becoming a must-have.
Constellation Home offers electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) installation that will make charging your vehicle safer, more convenient and more efficient. Our certified technicians make sure that your electric vehicle charger is the perfect match for your home. Now you can rest assured that your car’s battery will be fully charged every morning.
The Difference Between Level 1 and Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger
Level 1 chargers are the most basic chargers. The only equipment you need is a standard 120-volt (V) AC plug. Level 1 equipment generates an approximate charge of 124 miles in 20 hours. If you don’t drive long distances and have 20 hours to charge your car, you may be able to last a day or two on a single charge. But if you have a long commute or drive more frequently, this simply won’t cut it.
Level 2 chargers require your home to be outfitted with a 240-volt outlet. But once installed, they provide an estimated three to seven times faster charge with about 10 to 60 miles of range added to your vehicle’s charge per hour charged. With level 2 charging equipment, you can confidently take on an entire day’s worth of driving without having to use a public charge station.
Home EVSE Installation From Constellation Home
You can trust Constellation Home technicians to install your EVSE quickly and professionally. And you’ll know that you are getting the proper installation equipment for your home.
- Constellation Home will make sure that the charger installed is compatible with your home
- Constellation Home covers the installation of your EVSE for a year
- We do the paperwork for you. Constellation Home will pull all the permits and inspections needed for the installation.
Home EVSE Installation Process
Installing your EVSE is quick and easy.
- Schedule an appointment with Constellation Home and a certified electrician will inspect your home’s electrical system.
- Based on your home’s electrical availability, our technician will recommend the right level 2 charger. While your parts are being ordered, Constellation Home will pull all necessary permits and schedule an EVSE inspection for after the installation.
- After your new electrical vehicle supply parts are ordered, a Constellation Home technician will return to your home and install your new supply equipment. Once the charger is installed, your inspection will take place.
Request an Estimate to install a new Electric Vehicle Charger.
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Everything You Need to Know About Home Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Americans are understandably anxious about switching to electric vehicles after more than 100 years of using gasoline. Two of the top three concerns about EVs surround the charging, with 60 percent of AAA survey respondents saying there are not enough places to charge; and 58 percent are concerned about running out of charge when driving.
Home Level 2 (240-volt) wall-mounted charging boxes or Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) are the answer to this, virtually eliminating the need for public charging for the owner. Most Level 2 chargers can fill up everything but the biggest electric vehicles in an 8- to 10-hour overnight timespan. But there are almost as many varieties of chargers as EV themselves.
Level 2 chargers are an additional expense as most manufacturers only provide Level 1 chargers with the vehicle, though Tesla recently made its Level 1 charger optional. Those chargers work well for plug-in hybrids with a small battery, but they can take dozens of hours to recharge a 300-mile EV.
The Ford F-150 Lightning comes standard with a Mobile Power Cord, which is good for 30 amps of charging power. Optionally buyers can choose the Ford Charge Station Pro, which requires professional installation, for 1,310.
The Chevrolet Bolt also comes with a Level 1 charge cord, but recommends adding the Dual Level Charge Cord (standard on the Bolt EUV) for faster home charging if buyers have access to a 240-volt outlet. Chevrolet will also cover the cost of installation if a Level 2 home charger is bought.
For the Mercedes-EQ EVs, a Level 1 charger is optional. It doesn’t offer a Level 2 from the factory, but recommends the ChargePoint Home Flex charger, which is 725 on Amazon.
Nissan recently announced a partnership with Wallbox, an electric vehicle charging company, so owners of the 2023 Nissan Leaf and the forthcoming 2023 Nissan Ariya will be able to add the Level 2 charger to their purchase.
Level 2 chargers not coming from manufacturers range between 500 and 1,000 though professional installation will cost extra on the chargers that don’t plug in to a standard 110-volt outlet. Buyers that have a 240-volt circuit already in the garage will get a price break that installation. Here’s what buyers should be thinking about when choosing a home Level 2 EV charger.
Compatibility
At one time, the most important factor in choosing a home EV charger was compatibility with your vehicle. Thankfully, now for Level 2 charging, the usual J1772 connection point works on every car in North America, except for Tesla, which uses its own proprietary connector. However, even Teslas come with an adapter so if a buyer switches from Ford to the brand, the Level 2 home charger will still work.
The difference between Levels 1 and 2 is stark. The Ford Mustang Mach-E can regain about 3 miles per charging hour on a Level 1 system. It can regain more than 20 miles per charging hour on a Level 2 charger. The Mercedes EQS sedan gains about 4 miles per charging hour on a 110-volt circuit and around 25 miles per charging hour on a Level 2 EVSE.
Amperage
Level 2 chargers deliver from 16 amps to 80 amps. Compare that to about 12 amps on a Level 1 charger and buyers will see how much faster a recharge can be. Any charger that delivers 40 amps or above will work perfectly for any modern EV, and many upcoming ones. Those that deliver that kind of amperage will require a 240-volt circuit. Buyers should remember to check the maximum charge rate of their EV, and factor than in as well.
Installation is an common and relatively simple job for an electrician, as long as buyers have two open spaces in their electric panel. If they don’t, they will need a bigger panel. An electrician can give you an estimate of the costs up front. Don’t be afraid to consult more than one pro.
Getting a Level 2 charger hardwired into a panel without an outlet will cost more (it will also be permanent). If a 240-volt outlet is already being used in the garage by a dryer (or welder), buyers won’t be able to use them both at the same time.
Cord Length and Location
Buyers will have to consider where their charge port is located on their electric vehicle to decide where to install the Level 2 charger. Cord lengths range from about 12 to 25 feet. The Nissan Leaf’s charge port is in the nose of the vehicle. Most EVs have them on the side, sometimes near the front fender, some in the back.
Level 2 chargers can be placed outside as easily as inside, though buyers should make sure the charger they choose is recommended to withstand the elements. Those will have to be hardwired, according to most building codes, so those won’t be able to be taken if the buyer relocates.
This hardwired charger maxes out at 48 amps of current and is backed by a three-year warranty. It comes with 25 feet of charging cable and is suitable for outdoor installation.
Emporia Smart Level 2 EV Charger
This charger can be hardwired or plugged in and is also rated for outdoor use. It has a maximum charge of 48 amps, but comes set for 40 amps. It needs to be connected to Wi-Fi to change the default rate.
JuiceBox 40 Smart Electric Vehicle Charging Station
The JuiceBox 40 is, as the name implies, a 40-amp unit and it can be used both indoors and outdoors. It comes with a cable holder and three-year warranty can can be scheduled to charge when the price is the lowest.
Autel MaxiCharger Home Smart EV Charger
The Autel MaxiCharger is one of the most powerful available and comes with a holster for its 25-foot cord. Wi-Fi makes it upgradeable while a weather-resistant make it capable for use outdoors. Autel offers 24-hour support as well.
Wallbox Plusar Plus Level 2 EV Smart Charger
The Wallbox Pulsar Plus connects to Wi-Fi and can be controlled by voice with Alexa or Google Home. It charges between 16 at 48 amps and like the others, can take advantage of off-peak electricity rates automatically.
Buy the Wallbox charger at Amazon for 689.
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Smart Home Charging
All of our Solo 3 chargers also come installed with a 3-year warranty with an option to extend to 5 years.
Please note: 22kW home chargers require a three-phase household electrical supply.
Charge activity monitoring with the Pod Point App gives you insights into your energy usage.
- Oversee your car charging costs and track every kWh used.
- Make informed decisions on when to charge, by viewing a forecast of your local carbon intensity, provided by National Grid.
- Export itemised reports that can form part of your vehicle/house budgeting.
- Learn when it’s cheapest to charge on your energy tariff.
Auto Power Balancing adjusts the rate of charge to avoid overloading your electrical supply when your home is using a lot of energy.
The charging will return to the fastest rate automatically, once more power is available.
- Keeps your car charging without disrupting your home.
- Makes it possible to install a 7kW charging point on almost any electrical supply.
- Lets you run all your home appliances as desired (including extra home charging stations for other vehicles).
Our Charge Scheduling feature lets you charge overnight on off-peak rates.
- Unlock the full benefits of EV ownership and drive for less than 2.5p per mile with Pod Point’s Smart home charger and EDF’s Go Electric tariff.
- Take advantage of dual-rate electricity tariffs and save on costs by automatically scheduling your EV to charge during off-peak hours.
Applies to Wi-Fi enabled Solo chargers, typically installed after 2018. Requires a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection.
Based on average consumption of 3.5 miles per kWh.
When connected to Wi-Fi, the Solo 3 gets automatic software updates over-the-air.
- Unlock new features for your chargepoint in the future without changing the physical charger.
- Enable remote customer service and diagnostics from our team.
- Get the latest software version for optimal performance.
Learn what else the Solo 3 can do.
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Save over £500 a year on the typical cost of charging at home.
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Based on average consumption of 3.5 miles per kWh.
For more information in relation to the way in which EDF supplies zero carbon electricity, please visit https://www.edfenergy.com/zero-carbon
Are you eligible for the OZEV EV chargepoint grant?
The OZEV EV chargepoint grant reduces the cost of a home charger and its installation by £350.
Eligibility Checklist:
- Live in a rented property or own a flat.
- Have dedicated off-street parking.
- Own, lease or have an eligible vehicle on order.
- Not already have claimed a chargepoint grant.
% of our customers are eligible for standard installation.
What does this include?
What if I don’t qualify for standard installation?
If you don’t meet the criteria we can usually still carry out the home installation but an additional cost may be incurred.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to better understand your requirements and produce a no-obligation quote for the additional works. If you decide not to proceed, a full refund will be provided.
Ready to start Smart Home Charging?
Complete your order and book in your install.
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Excellent communication throughout the process. Very quick and neat installation.
very nice engineer and fast installation
Very happy with the experience from order to completion of Installation.
Installation of your Solo 3
Your home installation is included with your Solo 3 if it meets our standard install criteria.
Our team of Pod Point Experts go the extra mile to provide an excellent experience.
Your Pod Point Expert
Pod Point Experts are City and Guilds accredited electricians with thousands of hours of experience installing electric vehicle chargepoints.
Pre-arrival
Your Pod Point Expert will confirm their arrival time with you in advance of the installation.
Pre-installation
Your Expert will find the best position for your charger based on your power supply and how you park your car.
Installation
Standard installation package
Your install is included in the price of the home charger if it meets our standard install criteria. If it doesn’t, we’ll provide a no-obligation quote or a full refund if you’re not happy to proceed.
Next, the charger is fixed to the wall, a cable is run from the unit to the mains power supply, and it will be activated for use.
Your Expert will then connect the charger to the Wi-Fi and pair it with the Pod Point App.
Demonstration
Your Expert will give you a full demonstration of your charger, what the different lights mean and how to get in touch if you have any questions.
Finally, you will be shown how to find and use public chargepoints in your area.
Top 5 FAQs
It depends on your preference:
- Convenience. Tethered chargers have a cable already attached which will either be Type 1 or Type 2.
- Flexibility. While you need to plug the cable into a universal charger, you can use both Type 1 and Type 2 cables.
- Cable length. A tethered charger’s cable will be either 4.8m (Type 1) or 7.5m (Type 2) in length, whereas a universal charging cable can be up to 10m for either connector type.
- Cost. Tethered chargers cost more upfront because they include the charging cable, whereas you can buy a universal charger without a cable.
It can’t be connected to a 3-pin plug socket; the Solo 3 needs to be connected to the main electrical supply.
Non-standard charger installations may incur an additional cost. Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to better understand your requirements and produce a no-obligation quote for any additional works. If you decide not to proceed, you’ll receive a full refund.
What information or data is collected by my Solo 3 and stored by Pod Point? Who has access to this data?
Your household energy usage data is only used for hardware and technical support.
If you choose to pair the Solo 3 with the Pod Point App (using your PSL number) this data is then displayed to the logged-in Pod Point-account holder via their Smart device using the Pod Point App.
- Our Network Assurance team uses this data for support and diagnostic purposes.
- Our Data team assesses and manages this data for analysis.
- Our Software team maintains the software which stores this data.
We provide a remote survey in advance of your install. Our Pod Point Expert will then conduct a site survey when they arrive on the day of your install.
Go Electric tariff disclaimers:
Calculation based on average annual usage of 2,013kWh. (Datsourced from Pod Point customers average annual charging at home) Cost saving calculation compares charging on current Energy Price Guarantee rate (33.2p per kWh) vs EDF Go Electric off peak rate (8p per kWh). This is a variable tariff so can change, which would impact annual savings. Calculations are based on using a 7kWh home charger and charging within daily 5 hour off peak window (12am-5am during winter GMT and 1am-6am during Summer BST), slower charging speeds may result in charging outside of the off peak window and will increase cost.
The benefit of this tariff will depend on when your household energy usage occurs, when and where you charge your car, changes to wholesale energy and any future energy price cap changes.
This tariff is variable, meaning could change. This may impact cost savings and could mean change before your Pod Point is installed, depending on available/chosen installation dates.
The features of this tariff, its availability and any or costs displayed were correct at the time of writing according to information provided by EDF but may change in future. Before switching, you should consider the suitability of EDF’s Go Electric Tariff for your charging and household needs using the information and support provided by EDF. Pod Point does not take responsibility for your choice of electricity provider.”
Applies to Wi-Fi enabled Solo chargers, typically installed after 2018. Requires a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection.
Customers must have a Smart meter to access this tariff, full eligibility criteria can be found here.