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Level 2 vs. Level 3 Charging: What's the Difference?

Electric vehicles are taking the world by storm. They function as a useful alternative to traditional vehicles that run on fossil fuels; they are especially important today when fossil fuels continue to tear apart our ozone layer. Since it positively impacts our society, we think it’s important to analyze an integral part of this system: the EV charging station. There are many differences between Level 2 and 3 EV charging stations, and we’ll dive into the most prominent ones below.

The Level 1 Charging Station: A Quick Review

To begin, we must back up a bit. The Level 2 charging station charges faster and more easily than the Level 1. The Level 1 charging station is entry-level. It charges the slowest out of all three levels, and Level 2 is a significant step up. You’ll also need a charging station of your own, which can cost a fair amount.

The Level 2 Charging Station

Level 2 stations are publicly available. You might see them in parking lots or in front of commercial stores. That said, you can also find them used in residential homes. Level 2 charging stations use J1772 Tesla connectors that you can plug into your vehicle, but only if they have an adaptor. They typically power your vehicle at 120 Volts.

The Level 3 Charging Station

There are several differences between Level 2 and Level 3 chargers. Level 3 is the Porsche of all charging stations. It’s the fastest and most efficient way to charge your car. It can recharge your vehicle at 3–20 miles per minute, which is exceptional. Most businesses carry these charging stations, which are often more expensive than the vehicles they charge. It’s not uncommon to see one outside your local Walmart or Kroger. That said, if a resident wanted one, they could get one. Just expect it to cost a pretty penny.

If you’re interested in jumping on the electric car trend, you should know that we install commercial electric vehicle charging stations. At Earthlight Technologies, we ensure your commercial vehicle is well cared for. Additionally, we install solar panels, so if you’re interested in free energy, call us today!