Level 1 and 2 chargers are available to provide EV charging in residential settings. Typically, Level 1 chargers plug directly into a standard wall outlet (120V) and take up to 24 hours to recharge an electric vehicle.
Level 2 chargers must be installed by a certified electrician and connected to 240V power. While Level 1 chargers typically come standard with purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle, Level 2 chargers provide a much faster charge time, requiring between two and eight hours to charge an electric car.
Level 3 (fast) chargers – also known as DC Fast Chargers – run on DC electricity (as opposed to regular household AC electricity, which Level 1 and 2 chargers use) and are commonly used in public settings. This type of power is typically too strong for residential applications. Level 3 chargers can take just 45 minutes to recharge an electric vehicle and are usually found at public charging stations or large commercial sites.