Level 2 charging adds about 25 miles of range per hour to an electric car. It’s about five times faster than Level 1 charging, but at least eight times slower than Level 3 charging, also called direct current, or DC, fast charging. More than 3 in 4 public chargers are Level 2 chargers. It’s also the most powerful type of charger you can install at a residential location.
Differences among charging types
Level 1 charging is the slowest, adding about 5 miles of range per hour. But it is highly flexible: Nearly every new EV comes with a Level 1 charger, and you can plug it directly into a standard electrical outlet. Charging at home is usually cheaper than charging at a public charger, so it’s also a budget-friendly option.
Level 3 charging is fast. You can add hundreds of miles in less than an hour. It is usually the most expensive option, however, and charger locations are concentrated along interstate highways or other large thoroughfares. These high-powered chargers also can’t be installed at residential locations.
Level 2: A blend of Level 1 and Level 3
Level 2 charging is a middle ground between the other two types of chargers:
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It attaches to your car with the same connector as Level 1 charging, but it can bring most batteries to 100% overnight.
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The connector is universal and works on nearly every new EV. Tesla, however, uses a proprietary connector. Tesla makes adaptors that let drivers attach to the standard connector.
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Chargers can be installed at residential locations, but they are also popular public chargers: Nearly 100,000 Level 2 charging ports are available across the country at public locations.
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Public chargers appear in a variety of places, including parking decks, retailers, downtowns and workplaces.
Installing Level 2 chargers at your home
Although the connection to your car is the same as with Level 1 charging, Level 2 charging taps into a more powerful 240-volt connection where it connects to your home’s electrical system.
Before installing Level 2 hardware, you’ll need this type of connection available. If you don’t, be sure to check local building codes, which might list additional requirements. In most cases, you’ll need a professional electrician to install it.
Because the Level 2 connector is nearly universal, you can shop around if you’re looking to install one:
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Some car manufacturers offer their own Level 2 chargers.
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Buy directly from a company that makes home chargers.
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Compare options at an electronics store, home improvement store or online marketplace.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Between hardware and hiring an electrician, installing a Level 2 charger can cost a few thousand dollars. But you might end up paying less if you qualify for tax rebates or other government programs that seek to expand EV use. The Department of Energy keeps a database of state and federal incentives; search it to discover what’s available where you live.
Where to find Level 2 chargers away from home
If you want to charge away from your home, you have thousands of options:
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Nationwide charging networks like Electrify America and ChargePoint have apps and maps with which you can quickly find nearby locations.
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Search services like PlugShare, which compile locations from multiple charging networks.
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The U.S. Department of Energy has an extensive map of charging locations throughout the country.
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GoElectricDrive, a website maintained by the Electric Drive Transportation Association, has a website and an app that list locations of public chargers.