When electric vehicles first came onto the scene, they took all day to charge. Early EV Chargers, often referred to as Level One chargers, were typically powered using common household outlets, the sort you find yourself using for a microwave or television. They didn’t push a lot of electricity, so charging an EV on one of those could take quite a while. While this was fine for overnight charging at home, it wasn’t exactly ideal if you needed a quick top-up to continue your travels.
Level Two: The Game Changer on the Road
As the number of people driving electric cars has grown, so have the demands for a faster charging experience. That’s when Level Two chargers arrived on the scene. These chargers are a level above your normal wall outlet, as they make use of a larger voltage. Level Two chargers are commonly found in homes, public parking lots and workplaces. They can charge an EV far more quickly than a Level One model, often adding a few hundred miles of range within a few hours. If a Level One charger can provide only a handful of miles of driving range per hour of charging, a Level Two system might provide 20 or 30 in that same time frame. This has made it far more practical to own an EV for day-to-day driving, as many people can charge them up while at work or running errands.
Lightning Fast: The Case for DC Fast Charging
But even Level Two charging has proven too slow in some situations, particularly on longer trips. That’s where DC Fast Chargers, also known as Level Three chargers, came in to save the day. These chargers are an entirely different animal, as they pump a massive amount of power directly into car batteries. For example, modern DC fast chargers can provide more than 100 miles of range in a matter of minutes, which is huge for road trips. You usually find these types of chargers at major highways and dedicated charging stations, which makes long-distance EV travel much more convenient.
The Future Is Faster (and More Convenient)
Innovation for EV chargers is far from complete. Engineers and companies are relentlessly trying to make them faster and more convenient than before. We’re watching the emergence of even faster charging technologies that can theoretically recharge an EV in the amount of time it takes to fill a gas tank.
No matter the type of charger you use, maintenance is critical. This is to make certain that your charger runs at peak efficiency. If you have an EV charger at your residence in Modesto, CA, schedule maintenance by calling The Electric Company, and we will do our utmost to make certain it runs optimally.
