The question on every new EV driver's mind: 'Do I really need a Level 2 EV charger at home?' We often encounter inquiries like, 'I don't drive that much; won't my Level 1 EV charger be good enough?' The truth is, it depends. Let's delve into the distinctions between the three charging levels available for every EV.
As illustrated, the primary difference lies in charging speed. The decision to use a level 2 home charger depends on factors like daily driving distance, time spent idle, electricity costs, and availability of other charging options. Here are compelling reasons why some EV owners choose a level 2 vs level 1 EV charger:
1. Driving More Than 40 Miles a Day
Relying solely on a Level 1 charger can work when you drive small distances. ENERGY STAR suggests that the tipping point is around 40 miles per day when a Level 2 charger becomes more practical. Let's break it down with an example:
Sarah had a daily commute of 31.5 miles each way ' a total of 63 miles per day just to get to and from work. Her electric vehicle range is 200 miles. She can charge it for 10 hours each day at a rate of 3 miles per hour.
Are you having flashbacks to 7th grade math class? Don't worry, we won't make you calculate anything!
Each day, she'd travel 63 miles and recoup 30 in her nightly charging, so a deficit of 33 miles per day. By Friday, she would have only 1 mile of range left to reach home. That doesn't sound good. Even if she kept it charging all weekend, she would still not have a full charge on Monday morning.
In this scenario, you can easily see how using only a Level 1 charger for a daily commute would be unworkable. Sarah would not want to risk getting to 1 mile of range nor would she want to restrict her weekend activities so that she could charge up. Moreover, she might have other errands to run during the week. By contrast, a Level 2 charging station would allow Sarah to wake up to a fully charged vehicle every morning, and a lot less stress!
2. Take Advantage of Lower Energy Costs
Many utility companies offer incentives such as lower energy rates to charge during off-peak hours. Your utility company can offer Time of Use rates, which can be 50% cheaper at certain times. Level 1 chargers don't usually qualify for these programs as most will require a smart (networked) Level 2 charger.
Some utility companies offer rebates for Level 2 smart chargers and installation costs for electrical panel upgrades that reduce your upfront investment. Be sure to check what incentives are available from your local utility provider.
Read more: What are smart EV chargers?
You can also optimize your energy expenses by harnessing the benefits of reduced utility costs through the convenient scheduling feature provided by smart home chargers (like our FLO Home X5 charger). Effortlessly plan and manage your charging sessions to make the most of cost-effective energy rates, all of that in the comfort of your home. You can also track your real-time charging progress ' another feature offered by our user-friendly FLO app.
For the 56%* of US housing units without a garage or not parking their car inside the garage, outdoor charging considerations are crucial. You might assume that a Level 1 charger is plug and play anywhere you go. But, Level 1 chargers require a dedicated circuit with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and electrical outlet cover to ensure there aren't sparks, damage or injuries for outdoor use.
Most Level 2 chargers can handle outdoor conditions, which you can check by looking at the enclosure type. It's best to choose a 4 or 4x enclosure for protection from wind, rain, snow, and corrosion. Most electricians recommend hardwire installations for the outdoors to keep a watertight seal.
*(34% no garage + 33% of 66% with garage don't park in it)
4. Longevity: Choosing a Charger as Durable as Your EV
Many people transition to electric vehicles because they believe in the promise of a longer lasting and sustainable mode of transportation. However, this commitment to longevity should extend beyond the vehicle itself to include the charging infrastructure. Here's why your choice of charger matters:
Level 1 chargers, often accompanied by a mere one-year warranty, may not endure the rigors of daily use over the long term. Their design, tailored for mobility, might struggle with the wear and tear associated with regular charging. Level 1 chargers may seem cheaper at first but replacing them often can cost more in the long run.
Investing in a good Level 2 charger is a smart choice, but not all chargers are the same. While most Level 2 chargers have a good 3-year warranty, there are also 1-year and impressive 5-year warranties out there. The extended warranty period reflects the expectation that the charging solution will have greater durability and a longer lifespan.
5. Be More Energy Efficient
EVs work differently from gas-guzzling vehicles. When you put a gallon of gasoline in a gas-guzzler, you have a gallon of gasoline in the vehicle. However, when you consume 1.44 kWh of energy, not all of it goes to your battery. Level 1 chargers are less efficient, with studies showing 80% efficiency, while Level 2 chargers have 90% efficiency. This means that you could pay for 1.44 kWh but only receive 1.152 kWh in your vehicle with Level 1 and receive 1.296 kWh with a Level 2 charging station.
EV chargers spend about 85% of the time in standby mode where they will draw at least some energy just like your laptop does in sleep mode. If you pick an Energy Star-certified device, it will consume 40% less energy when unused. This saves money on your electricity bill and helps the environment.
6. Day to Day Experience
After a few months of daily use, many EV drivers find themselves seeking an upgrade for their experience. The small problems with a Level 1 charger become more noticeable. It often has a shorter cable of about 21 feet versus up to 25 feet cables on Level 2 chargers and can require unique parking configurations to work. The box attached to it becomes a frequent victim of accidental bumps and scrapes, leading to some unwarranted wear and tear.
Read more: Electric car charging safety: what should you know?
For more information, please visit EraCharge.
Unlike its leading Level 2 counterpart, the Level 1 lacks cable management, resembling more of a wayward hose on the ground than a streamlined charging solution. These day-to-day inconveniences gradually nudge drivers to level up their charging game for a smoother and more hassle-free experience.
Deciding whether to upgrade to a Level 2 charger varies for each individual because of different factors. Assess your daily travel, parking, energy costs, and environmental impact to make an informed choice for convenient EV charging.
If you're thinking of making the switch or purchasing a Level 2 home charger for your electric car, we have a comprehensive guide ready to help you find the best one for your needs!
The omnipresence of battery technology in our day-to-day life has made people much more aware of 'batteries' as technological marvels that require care and maintenance. So it's no surprise that these discussions are making their way to electric vehicles and EV chargers. Any vehicle represents a substantial investment, and people are right to want to know how to help their batteries ' which lay at the very core of their EV's function ' last as long as possible. In large part, these concerns center on how charging speed affects batteries.
Here, we hope to educate both drivers and potential EV charger owners about how various charging speeds affect batteries. To do that, however, we need to understand charging speeds and batteries themselves. Let's take a look at how a slow charge and fast charge affect your car's battery.
Generally speaking, EV charging comes in three different speeds: level 1, level 2 and level 3 ' also called direct current fast chargers (DCFC). While level 4 chargers are hitting the market, they're still not widely tested.
Level 1 chargers are something you're intimately familiar with. In fact, they're mostly just regular residential outlets. They're inexpensive but slow, often taking 40-50 hours to completely fill an all-electric battery.
Level 2 chargers are equipment specific to charging EVs and are the most common form of EV charger. They can fill an all-electric battery in roughly 4-10 hours. Regardless, we can consider both level 1 and level 2 chargers as 'slow' chargers.
Level 3 (DCFC) chargers are the high-end option. They're most common on high-traffic roads where people need to get in and out fast, and can get a battery from zero to 80% in as little as 20 minutes.
Where electricity is concerned, charging speed is directly related to charging volume, which is directly related to heat. Think of it like filling a cup of hot coffee. If you drip it in drop by drop, you'll fill slower, but the heat will have time to dissipate into the air and surrounding materials. If you just dump the whole steaming pot into the cup, however, it's likely to burn you.
Batteries are the same way. This means that, where charging speed is concerned, the primary issue is temperature. If the batteries don't have decent cooling systems, they're going to be damaged when the temperature exceeds a certain level: roughly 104 degrees fahrenheit. Both cold and hot conditions can affect battery charging and overall performance. Below-freezing temperatures or hot weather make certain battery conditioning technology necessary. Both active and passive cooling systems exist, with active being more effective but coordinatingly more expensive.
It's important to note that charging and draining a battery will always degrade it, in the same way, that engines and computers and anything else will degrade over time. Nothing can last forever, and while batteries seem to magically fill with invisible energy, the laws of physics still apply. Luckily, a degrading battery can be maintained by repairing damaged cells, and this can extend the life of an EV battery for years and years.
So we've established that the main concern is heat. If a fast charger is going to do damage to your car's battery beyond the usual degradation that comes with use, it will likely be heat-related.
As such, there are two major outside factors to consider: ambient temperature and your individual EV's cooling systems. In parallel to gasoline vehicles, you've probably noticed that you're much more likely to see broken-down vehicles on the side of the road in hot weather, and those vehicles are more likely to be heavy and old.
The same is true with these batteries but in regard to life span. As such, the outside temperature and your own vehicle's battery cooling systems should both be considered when deciding what kind of charger to use.
Where level 1 and 2 chargers are concerned, there's little to no risk posed to your battery by charging speed. Unless you live in the Arizona desert, both are likely to keep your battery well within its specified charging temperatures. Level 3 chargers may pump in electricity much more quickly, but they are still designed to keep your vehicle within its operating temperature (which depends on environmental factors like weather, too). The good news is that we haven't yet seen scientific evidence that battery degradation caused by charging heat causes an early breakdown of the battery.
Unless you live in an extremely hot area, concerns about battery damage are unlikely to be the deciding factor in what charger you get. More likely, factors like installation costs and business needs will play a role in your choice. If you have questions about what level charging station is right for your business, connect with an expert on our team today!
For more information, please visit Type 1 Charging Station.