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As electric vehicles gear up to replace polluting ICE vehicles on a global scale, it’s important to know the fundamentals of how an EV works – it’s highly likely that in a few years, you’ll be driving one yourself!

EVs need to be charged regularly just like how you would visit the gas station to refuel your regular gasoline car. Did you know that there are different levels of EV charging?

The higher the charging level, the more power the car receives, and the shorter the charging period is. Level 3 includes (Tesla) Supercharging and DC Fast Charging. Every EV charges at a slightly different speed on each level because it accepts a different level of electricity from the EVSE, or charger.

What Are the Three Levels of EV Charging?

• Level 1 Charging

Level 1 utilizes a 120-volt outlet, and the charging is performed by connecting the charging equipment to a power socket. Level 1 charging is slowest, and adds around 3 to 5 miles worth of power every hour.

This level of charging works for PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) because their batteries are under 25 kWh. Level 1 may be too sluggish for EVs with larger batteries, unless the vehicle isn’t driven far every day. Thus, level 2 charging is preferred by a large proportion of BEV owners.

• Level 2 Charging 

Daily EV charging is commonly done at level 2. Level 2 charging infrastructure can be placed at homes, workplaces, and public places like shopping malls and train stations. Daily EV charging is commonly done at level 2. Level 2 charging infrastructure can be placed at homes, workplaces, and public places like shopping malls and train stations. This level of charging can add 12 to 80 MPH, depending on the charger’s power and the car’s maximum charging rate.

Most BEV owners pick Level 2 charging because it takes a tenth of the time taken by Level 1 charging. Using a Level 2 charging source, you can generally charge an almost-empty battery overnight.

• Level 3 Charging

The final of the three levels of EV charging, this is the quickest charging method, providing between 3 and 20 miles per minute. Level 3 charging is the only one of the three levels to employ DC charging. Voltage is substantially higher; hence level 3 chargers aren’t installed in homes.

DC Fast Chargers are also extremely expensive. Even if your home has 400-volt energy, the charger will generally cost more than the EV itself.

To learn more about electric vehicles and EV charging, please feel free to check out some of the other blogs on our website.

Also Read: EV Charging Etiquette for Beginners

Join the EV Revolution

With future generations eagerly looking toward affordable and sustainable EV models, it is clear that the future is electric! If you’re a parking operator looking to upgrade your locations, offering EV charging as a value-added service is a great idea for futureproofing your business.

With GMP EV, you can offer value-added services like EV charging through a custom-branded parking app or web app! Here’s why you should choose GMP EV to transform your parking lot into a mobility hub:

• Discover charging stations easily using the app
• Go app-less with a QR-based solution
• Pay online just once for both parking and charging
• Manage your sessions on a centralized dashboard
• Get real-time reports on energy consumption
• OCPI-compliant solutions for greater flexibility

What are you waiting for? Contact sales@getmyparking.com for a free demo or check GMP EV out on our website!