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Understand charger levels and features
Whether you’re purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) charger to install at home, or you’re powering up your vehicle at a public charging station, it’s important to understand the different levels of chargers available.
If you’re shopping for a charger for your home or business, there are lots of manufacturers and models to choose from. Be sure to select a charger that’s safety certified, and consider having it installed by a licensed electrical contractor.
Electric vehicles (EVs) require a connection to an electrical system to charge. There are three different methods.
The 3 levels of chargers
level 1 chargers
- Uses a connection to a standard 120V outlet
- Charges 8 km per hour
- Takes about 12 to 20 hours to fully charge a battery EV (6 to 12 hours for a plug-in hybrid)
- Used mostly in homes
level 2 chargers
- Uses a connection to a 240V outlet, like those used by ovens and clothes dryers
- Charges 30 km per hour
- Takes about 6 to 14 hours to fully charge a battery EV (4 to 8 hours for a plug-in hybrid)
- Used in homes, businesses, common areas and public charging sites
Fast Chargers (also known as Level 3)
- Uses a direct current connection to an electrical system
- Charging power varies from 50 kilowatts (kW) to 350 kW depending on hardware
- Used mostly in businesses and public charging sites
Home EV charger features
Wondering which EV charger type is right for you? Consider the EV charger features below to make sure your selected model will accommodate your vehicle(s), the space and your preferences.
Features related to your vehicle(s)
Connector
Most EVs have the “J plug” (J1772) which is used for home and Level 2 charging. For fast charging, there are two plugs: the “CCS” used by most manufacturers including BMW, General Motors and Volkswagen, and the “CHAdeMO” used by Mitsubishi and Nissan. Tesla has the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug, but can use the “J plug” or “CHAdeMO” with adapters.
Single or Dual Port
Select chargers are available with two plugs, some of which allow two vehicles to charge at the same time if there’s sufficient electrical capacity.
Features related to your space
Cord length
Cords are available in a range of lengths, the most common being 5 metres (16 feet) and 7.6 metres (25 feet). Shorter cables are easier to store but longer cables provide flexibility in the event drivers need to park further from the charger.
Indoor or Outdoor
Many chargers are designed to function inside or outside, but not all are. If your charging station needs to be outside, make sure the model you choose is rated to work in the rain, snow, and cold temperatures.
Portable or Permanent
Some chargers only need to plug into an outlet while others are designed to be installed on a wall.
Features related to your preferences
Amperage
Level 2 chargers are available in models that deliver between 15 and 80 Amps. The higher the amperage the faster the charging.
Networked
Some chargers will connect to the internet so drivers can start, stop, and monitor charging with a smartphone.
Smart EV Chargers
Smart EV chargers ensure the most efficient charging by automatically adjusting the amount of electricity being sent to an EV based on timing and load factors. Some smart EV chargers can also provide you with data on your usage.
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