What Types of Chargers are Available for Public Charging?

Electric vehicle (EV) purchases have grown, indicating shifting demand for low—and zero-emission transportation. According to a PwC analysis, the number of EVs will reach 92 million by 2040. However, the U.S.’s public charging infrastructure is lagging behind. 

Without sufficient public chargers, Americans are less likely to switch to EVs. Around 83% of EV owners already do most of their charging at home, but this isn’t practical for a greener future. 

This guide discusses the different types of chargers available today for public charging.

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Level 1 Charging

Level 1 charging is the slowest method of charging an EV. It’s often known as “trickle charging” and is mainly reserved for home charging. An example of a Level 1 charger would be plugging an EV into a regular wall outlet. 

The average Level 1 charger has an output of 1.3-2.4kW. In layman’s terms, this offers three to five miles an hour, meaning it could take 40 to 50 hours to fully charge an EV.

Level 2 Charging

Level 2 charging is the most common type of charger available both at home and in public charging stations. These chargers can offer up to 22 kW of power to a vehicle. Most drivers will see these chargers in public parking lots, making them an ideal choice for businesses looking to electrify their fleets.

On average, charging an EV at 22 kW would add 75 miles, meaning an average EV would take four to five hours to charge.

Level 3 Charging (DC Fast Charging)

Level 3 chargers are the fastest EV chargers available now. They can deliver up to 350 kW of power, so an average EV can be fully charged in under two hours. Even at the minimum 50 kW threshold, an hour would add 173 miles of range.

However, Level 3 chargers are less common. Furthermore, only the newest EV models can actually use their maximum power. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean high-powered chargers cannot work with an EV. Many DC chargers with the hyper-fast label automatically supply the highest power level a vehicle can take. Overall, Level 3 chargers are seen as the future for electrifying larger vehicle classes.

Checking compatibility typically requires consulting the owner’s manual, with some brands, namely Tesla, only being compatible with Tesla vehicles.

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Conclusion: Find the Right Charger in Your Area

Public chargers are crucial for EV drivers, but finding the right one and one that’s compatible with your payment method of choice is easier said than done. Bluedot is a revolutionary app aiming to simplify public EV charging.

With Bluedot, users can access over 120,000 EV charging points nationwide with a single app to find, pay, and access each point. If you are interested in learning more about the nation’s largest charging aggregator, connect with us at partnerships@thebluedot.co.

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