Electric cars are becoming more popular every year. There are currently 10 million EVs on the road globally. But what happens when you need to charge your electric car and there’s no charging station in sight? You could use a regular outlet in your house, but that would take a long time. What you need is an all-electric car charger.
Every EV sold in North America currently uses the same kind of Level 2 plug. With the exception of Tesla Superchargers, they can be charged at any charging station. But Superchargers are level 3 fast-charging stations. It makes sense that Telsa wouldn’t want the competition using their stations. The good news is that Level 2 chargers are much faster than Level 1.
All-electric car chargers are not all created equal. Some are made for specific models of cars while others will work with any electric car. You need to make sure you get the right charger for your car.
In this article, we’ll take a look at all-electric car chargers and see if they are compatible with each other. Let’s get started!
EV Charging Compatibility
When it comes to electric vehicle (EV) charging, there are three different types of connectors that are used. The first is the J1772 connector, which is used in North America. The second is the Type 2 connector, which is used in Europe. And the third is the CHAdeMO connector, which is used in Japan.
Each connector has its own set of pins that are used to connect the charger to the car. The J1772 connector has seven pins, the Type 2 connector has eight pins, and the CHAdeMO connector has ten pins.
The different types of connectors mean that not all chargers are compatible with all cars. For example, a J1772 charger will not work with a Type 2 car. And a CHAdeMO charger will not work with a J1772 car.
However, there are adapters that can be used to make one type of charger compatible with another car. The adapters will have the correct number and type of pins for the charger and the car.
There are also universal chargers that come with adapters for all three types of connectors. These chargers are more expensive, but they are worth it if you have multiple cars with different types of connectors.
Now that we’ve looked at the different types of connectors, let’s take a look at the different types of chargers.
Types of EV Chargers
There are three different types of EV chargers: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
- Level 1 chargers use a regular 120-volt outlet and can be plugged into any outlet in your home. The charging time is slow, but it’s great if you only need to charge your car overnight.
- Level 2 chargers use a 240-volt outlet and can be plugged into any outlet in your home. The charging time is faster than Level 1, but it’s still not as fast as Level 3.
- Level 3 chargers use a 480-volt outlet and can only be plugged into special outlets that are installed by an electrician. The charging time is the fastest, but it’s also the most expensive.
Level 3 chargers are not compatible with Level 1 or 2 chargers. And Level 2 chargers are not compatible with Level 1 chargers. The only way to charge your car with a Level 3 charger is to have a special outlet installed in your home.
Are EV chargers universal?
Although all-electric vehicles use the same basic plugs for Level 1 and Level 2 charging, standards for DC charging may vary among manufacturers and regions.
In US and Canadian markets, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has set the standard for DC Level 3 charging plugs and sockets. The SAE J1772-2009 connector is used for both AC and DC Level 1 and 2 charging, while the Combined Charging System (CCS) connector is used for DC Level 3 fast charging.
The CCS connector has the same basic shape as the J1772, but with two additional pins for DC fast charging. In general, an EV that can use a Level 2 charger should be able to charge at Level 3 using an adapter.
How long does it take to charge your electric vehicle?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to electric vehicles. It depends on a number of factors, including the type of charger you are using, the size of your car’s battery, and the current charge level of your battery capacity.
The good news is that there are a number of different types of electric car chargers available on the market, so you’ll be able to find one that meets your needs.
- Level 1 chargers are the slowest type of charger, and they typically take 8-10 hours to charge a car.
- Level 2 chargers are faster, and can charge a car in 4-6 hours.
- Level 3 chargers are the fastest type of charger, and can charge a car in as little as 30 minutes.
Finally, the current charge level of your battery will also affect how long it takes to charge. A battery that is completely empty will take longer to charge than a battery that is partially empty.
Bottom line
If you’re thinking about buying an electric car, it’s important to do your research and make sure you understand the different types of chargers available. Not all chargers are compatible with all cars, and not all chargers will work with all outlets.
But overall, electric car charging is a pretty simple process. Just remember to consult your car’s owner manual for specific instructions on how to charge your particular model.