Americans rely heavily on their vehicles for everything from work and school to errands and road trips. Over the last decade, however, we have seen a proliferation of the electric vehicle (EV) industry and an increased consumer demand for affordable, convenient, and environmentally conscious EV vehicles. With climate regulations aiming to have half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. be zero-emissions by , this demand will only increase as more Americans make the switch to EV.
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While the desire for EVs is rapidly growing, the charging infrastructure to support the influx is not keeping pace. Accessibility and convenience of fast EV charging stations in public spaces are key to supporting the nationwide conversion to electric vehicles. As society transitions to greener business models, Tilson's in-house EV experts are ready to plan and deploy reliable, scalable, and competitive EV charging networks.
EV charging stations currently come in three levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. As the level increases, so does the energy output, ultimately decreasing charging time. Installation costs, location, and intended use dictate which station is best for a given situation.
Using a standard 120-volt AC outlet, Level 1, or L1, is by far the most cost-effective but also the most time-consuming method of charging. Users can expect to get a little over 3 miles of range for each hour of charging, with a full charge taking roughly 24 hours. For these reasons, L1 is best reserved for homes and garages where a vehicle will be parked overnight or for longer periods of time.
While not the fastest charging option available, Level 2 is still in high demand in residential locations, office buildings, shopping centers, and other locations where drivers may not be looking to immediately get back on the road. With an L2 charging station, users can expect a full charge in 4-8 hours, with each hour granting roughly 20-30 miles of range. This charging solution requires less power and is often less expensive to install, making them a cost-effective option when looking to install a large volume of chargers in one location where multiple vehicles can charge simultaneously.
Far and above the fastest charging option, Level 3 stations are also referred to as 'superchargers' for their ability to fully charge a battery in under an hour. L3 chargers are the preferred solution for rest stops, gas stations, and anywhere drivers are on the move and looking to get back on the road as soon as possible. With their increased power output, one minute of charging can provide up to 20 miles of range, reducing most charging stops to 30 minutes or less. L3 is also beneficial for companies with multiple electric vehicles, as the charging speed allows for the installation of fewer stations that still meets the demands of a large vehicle fleet. However, this increase in power output does require upgrades to the power supply, which makes it the most expensive option to build.
There is no one answer to which level of charging is best, as each serves a different function and should be decided based on targeted location, intended use, and the cost and feasibility of installation. This is why partnering with an expert in electric vehicle infrastructure pays off. Tilson's EV Infrastructure division uses their in-depth network experience to lead EV site design and deployment to ensure your charging network is ready to meet both the current and the future demands of the EV sector.
From code compliant load analysis reviews to cost effective designs and installations, Tilson has an in-depth understanding of all stages of the EV project life cycle to take our clients from concept to reality. With a nationwide team of in-house experts, customers look to Tilson to provide:
In the months and years to come, creating an EV charging experience that can compete with what drivers are traditionally accustomed to will be a major hurdle to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The solution is the continued nationwide development of EV infrastructure and the implementation of technological advancements that further reduce charge time. Tilson is leading the charge in designing and building the future of America's EV infrastructure.
Contact our EV Infrastructure team to discuss how you can design and install a future-proof EV charging network.
Learning the different charging options for EVs is very important, whether you are an experienced EV driver, are purchasing an EV soon, or even if you are still driving a traditional car.
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Figure 1: Tesla Super Charging Station - Source: Renew Economy'
There are three EV charging levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. In this article, we will explain how EVs charge, their limitations, different technical specifications for EV charging levels, and detail different aspects of the subject. This will give you enough information to help you determine the best EV charging solution for you.
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EV charging can be done with AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) power. Level 1 and Level 2 EV charging uses AC power, while Level 3 charging exclusively uses DC power at high currents, which is why it is also known as DC Fast Charging (DCFC).
AC charging requires the EV charger to be connected to a 230VAC single-phase or 400VAC three-phase connection; the charging current varies according to the charging capacity of the charger and the EV model. During AC charging, the AC to DC conversion occurs directly on the onboard charger installed at the EV.
DC charging does not use the onboard charger that limits the maximum current, which is why EVs can charge at a much faster speed. The AC to DC conversion during DC charging occurs at the charging station, allowing a high current to be delivered to the EV and rapidly charge the battery.
Charging speed is not only limited by the AC and DC power rate of the charger, but also by the charging capacity of each particular EV. This means that charging an EV with a high-capacity AC charger does not mean the best Level 2 charging time will be provided as the maximum charging capacity is also limited by the EV manufacturer.
The following table shows charging limitations for some popular EVs in Australia:
Table 1: AC Charging Limitation for EVs in Australia ' Source: EV Database'
After understanding the differences between AC and DC charging, it is time to learn about the various charging levels and how they differ from each other.
Level 1 EV charging requires a single-phase 230VAC connection and it is considered the slowest AC charging option. Since the power rate for AC Level 1 EV Chargers goes from 1.8kW up to 2.4kW, charging with a Level 1 EV charger can be done over regular home wiring as long as there are no other high-demand appliances connected to the circuit.
Level 2 EV charging requires a single-phase 230V connection for homes or a three-phase 400VAC connection for residential and commercial ones. Charging capacity for Level 2 chargers varies from 3.6kW up to 9.6kW, while high-capacity residential and commercial applications go as high as 22kW. Residential and commercial Level 2 EV charging requires dedicated electrical wiring to operate. Most EV chargers that you will find for your home such as the Tesla Gen 3, the Zappi or the Wallbox will be level 2 models (go here to shop our chargers). If you purchase an untethered charger, you'll likely need to purchase a charging cable too.
Level 3 EV charging features a complex electrical infrastructure to convert three-phase AC power to DC directly at the charging station. The power rate for a DCFC stall goes from 25kW up to 350kW and it charges extremely fast. Level 3 or DC Fast Charging stations are highly expensive, which is why they are almost exclusively used in public charging stations. Almost no homes will ever have this as it's very costly ($50k-$100k to install) and electrical infrastructure at homes will not be able to withstand the high voltage of Level 3 chargers.
The Australian EV industry features charging options that suit the needs of every EV driver in the country, that go from regular home EV chargers up to DC Fast Charging stations. After learning the basics of EV charging, you can now pick the best EV charger available for you or even decide what your next EV will be considering its charging parameters.
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