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Electric vehicle owners choose between Level 1, 2 and 3 chargers based on needs

New electric vehicle owners in North America must decide which of the three standardized charging levels best fits their driving habits and budget.

Level 1, 2 and 3 EV chargers: Which is better to use?
File photo Level 1, 2 and 3 EV chargers: Which is better to use? Photo: Engadget

Power differences between charger types

Level 1 chargers use standard 120-volt household outlets to deliver about 1.4kW of power. Level 2 chargers connect to 240-volt circuits and can provide up to 9.6kW depending on the specific equipment installed. A Level 3 charger adds hundreds of miles of range within a single hour.

Charging time and cost factors

A Level 1 charger may take more than 40 hours to fully charge an EV battery. Installing a Level 2 charger can cost hundreds of dollars for the hardware and circuit upgrades. Faster charging options require weighing tradeoffs like electricity costs and potential battery longevity.

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