Are All Electric Car Chargers the Same?

Are all electric car chargers the same? Electric car chargers are considered universal, which means the majority of EVs use the same type of plug around Saskatoon and Winnipeg. However, there are three different types of electric car chargers that you’ll likely see around Calgary: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Let’s go over the key differences of each.

What are the Different Types of Electric Car Chargers?

Electric cars are extremely versatile, and drivers can charge up at a public station or at home. Because of this, different chargers were created to suit different situations. For example, a Level 1 residential charger uses minimal voltage for less energy consumption at home, while a Level 3 public charger draws a higher voltage to charge your battery as soon as possible. Here’s a quick overview of the different types of electric car chargers.

Level 1 Charging 

Level 1 chargers have a charging speed of 3 km to 8 km per hour. This is the most easily accessible form of charging available. Plug your EV into any grounded 120-volt outlet at home, and you’re good to go. Because this method is the slowest, most EV owners prefer to install a Level 2 charger at some point. But, Level 1 charging might be sufficient for plug-in hybrid owners who are charging a much smaller battery or EV owners who travel infrequently.

Level 2 Charging

Level 2 charging can add anywhere from 16 km to 50 km to your EV per hour. Level 2 is the most common in both public and private charging stations. EV owners can get a Level 2 station professionally installed in the home for overnight charging. You can also find Level 2 stations while out and about in Calgary at places like malls, department stores, drugstores, plazas, parking garages, and more.

Level 3 Charging 

Level 3 charging is the fastest of them all, delivering a full charge in as little as 30 minutes. Level 3, or DC Fast Chargers, utilize direct current instead of an alternating current to generate higher voltage. The result is a speedy charge that brings your battery back to life, so you can get back on the road quickly. But due to the large amount of energy consumed, you will only find Level 3 chargers in public stations—not for residential use.

Learn More About EV Ownership with Mercedes-Benz Regina

We’ve covered the question, “Are all electric car chargers the same?” But if you have any other questions about EV ownership in the Regina area, just reach out and we’d love to help. Contact us to learn more about your vehicle, like what to do when your brakes are grinding and why tire rotation is important. Stop by our showroom to explore the Mercedes-Benz all-electric lineup.