The first electric vehicles were mass produced in 1996. Here we are now, decades later and widespread adoption is finally in sight. And yet, the issues that plagued early iterations of EVs are still lingering. A 2022 JD Powers study revealed that while adoption rates were improving, the scarcity of public charging stations as well as the inoperability of many of them may be discouraging wider adoption.
Further, the study goes on to discuss public satisfaction when it comes to specific methods of charging, with the primary public methods being Level 2 and DC fast charging. But what exactly does that mean? And what does that mean for you?
If you're considering installing an EV charging station on your property, be it residential or commercial, taking a closer look at EV charging methods can help you make the best choice.
Quick Links
- Methods of Charging Electric Vehicles
- What Charging Stations Options are Available for Public Chargers?
- Why Providing the Right Charging Station Matters?
Methods of Charging Electric Vehicles
When purchasing an electric vehicle, most owners are supplied with a charger for home use, and many choose to rely solely on that charging equipment because, let’s face it, it’s easier. Further, as that JD Power study suggests, public charging stations can be unreliable, and for some, just plain difficult to figure out, especially when they’re used to charging at home. That’s why choosing the right EV charging station for your residential or commercial property, or even for your fleet, can help you not only meet sustainability goals but also help you differentiate yourself in a burgeoning market.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that a car can only handle what it can handle. In some cases, the speed of a charge will be limited by what the car is capable of accepting. Most EVs can take in about 32 amps, adding around 25 miles of Range Per Hour of charging, so a 32-amp charging station is a good choice for many vehicles. Still, charging times for electric vehicles can differ based on several factors including: charging station amperage, battery size, and on-board charger.
That said, there are, pardon the pun, currently 3 methods of EV charging.
What is a Level 1 EV Charger?
A Level 1 EV charger is the home charging option that connects to your standard 110 volt wall outlet at home and comes with your vehicle as the default charging option. However, charging levels also indicate current as much as voltage. Level 1 chargers offer about 10-16 amps, given the limitations of standard household outlets, but more on that in a moment (level 2).
The nickname, trickle charger fits because, at the pace of a Level 1 Charger, it can provide about 3-5 miles of range, maximum, for every hour charged. Level 1 chargers, however, are effective at home because “dwell” time is considerable meaning a person can leave the car charging overnight.
Unfortunately, after 8 hours of charging, this means still only about 40 miles of drive time and while that’s enough to cover one’s commute, in most cases, it doesn’t afford much more. It’s estimated that it would take about 30 hours to replenish 150 miles of drive time. That’s part of the reason public EV charging infrastructure is so vital to the market, and to wider adoption.
What is a Level 2 EV Charger?
Level 2 charging occurs at 240 volts and can go up to 80 amps. As one can imagine, this means faster charging. Individuals can purchase a Level 2 charger for home use, improving the speed of at home charging and tapping into the same voltage required by larger appliances. And, level 2 charging can provide about 12 to 60 miles of range per hour of charging.
However, Level 2 EV chargers are limited by your home’s electric capacity and may need to be throttled to adjust to the current the electrical system is capable of handling. Thankfully, Level 2 EV chargers are also found in the wilds. In fact, they’re one of the most common public charging station options available.
What is a Level 3 EV Charger?
Sorry to burst the bubble, but there isn’t one. DC Fast chargers are often referred to as “Level 3” chargers because they do, thankfully, charge faster than both Level 1 and Level 2 EV chargers. DC charging, and DC in general, means the electrical current is flowing all in one direction, thus the speed. In fact, some boast the ability to charge for 10 miles in one minute.
DC Fast Charging exists predominantly in public spaces or applications that require fast charging like near a highway or for electric fleets. While all electric vehicles can use a Level 1 or Level 2 charger, DC fast chargers require a specific port- CHAdeMO, CCS, or Tesla.
What Charging Stations Options are Available for Public Chargers?
Now that we have a better understanding of the types of chargers out there, let’s talk a bit more about what’s available to the public. The availability and accessibility of public EV charging stations will be crucial in increasing EV adoption.
As we noted, Level 1 chargers are solely for home use. While drivers may be at home more often, the slow charging time means that, especially for frequent trips or individuals who drive a lot, range anxiety is real and public chargers are needed to fill the gap.
Public infrastructure, and EV charging stations with access to more robust electrical systems can, very simply, provide more power. The good news is that a lot of EV drivers will be looking for public charging stations, especially in locations where they stay for a few hours, like work, hotels, municipal (and other) parking garages, retail locations, and residential lots at MDUs.
And, as more and more car makers add EV models to their lineups, the demand for public infrastructure will grow. That means adding Level 2 charging stations is crucial as they offer more versatility and accessibility. Further, frequent use of DC fast charging may have a longer lasting negative impact on your vehicle and its battery.
In short, while Level 2 and DC Fast charging stations are available for public charging stations, Level 2 charging stations, which rely on AC charging, are the most versatile and accessible, and often the best choice, especially for locations with a good number of EV drivers. And, while Level 2 chargers may take a little longer to charge a vehicle, they can offer lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) opportunities for locations that install them.
Why Providing the Right Charging Station Matters
First and foremost, the goal of providing EV charging stations for your residents or customers is to create value. As the JD Powers study reveals, there’s little value in providing charging stations that are either unreliable or lack the kind of versatility your employees or customers need.
While you may think fast charging is the best solution, there’s more to consider, especially when it comes to the charging network used by a specific charging station. It's the network that is going to offer flexible business models, reliability and ultimately a better driver experience. The key pieces, to all of this, are versatility and accessibility.
In short, you want an EV charging solution that enables the most users to get the most value and that’s a solution from NovaCHARGE. In addition to the variety of vehicles that can use our charging stations, our strict adherence to open standards which means the lifetime value is greater and the most reliable network in the business, it's no wonder NovaCHARGE has seen 200+% profitable revenue growth in 2022.
Further, while NovaCHARGE offers both Level 2 and DC fast charging stations, we tailor our solution to suit your business needs, including custom-branding and flexible business models to drive ROI. Turnkey installation from site selection to commissioning to post-installation support are hallmarks of a NovaCHARGE solution. Sound advice is this: "Don't over architect when it comes to EV charging solutions".
Drivers want to be able to charge hassle free. They don’t want to fight with charge point operators, payment methods, or simply a non-working charger. At NovaCHARGE, we want to help you be part of the solution by being your EV charging solution provider. Let’s talk today and help rEV up EV adoption.