EV Charging Station

Charging Station Options

Level 1 Charging: 120-Volt

Connectors Used: J1772, Tesla

Charging Speed: 3 to 5 Miles Per Hour

Locations: Home, Workplace & Public

A Level 1 charging station uses a common 120-volt household outlet. Every electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid can be charged on Level 1 by plugging the charging equipment into a regular wall outlet. Level 1 is the slowest way to charge an EV. It adds between 3 and 5 miles of range per hour.

Level 2 Charging: 208-Volt to 240-Volt

Connectors Used: J1772, Tesla

Charging Speed: 12 to 80 Miles Per Hour

Locations: Home, Workplace & Public

Level 2 charging is the most commonly used level for daily EV charging. Level 2 charging equipment can be installed at home, at the workplace, as well as in public locations like shopping plazas, train stations and other destinations. Level 2 charging can replenish between 12 and 80 miles of range per hour, depending on the power output of the Level 2 charger, and the vehicle’s maximum charge rate.

Most EV owners choose to install Level 2 charging equipment at their residences because it charges the vehicle up to 10 times faster than Level 1 charging. Charging from a Level 2 source usually means the vehicle will be completely charged overnight, even if you are plugged in with a nearly empty battery.

Level 3 Charging: 400-Volt to 900-Volt (DC Fast Charge & Supercharging)

Connectors Used: Combined Charging System (Combo), CHAdeMO & Tesla

Charging Speed: 3 to 20 Miles Per Minute

Locations: Public - NOT in Homes

Level 3 charging is the fastest type of charging available and can recharge an EV at a rate of 3 to 20 miles of range per minute. Unlike Level 1 and Level 2 charging which uses alternating current (AC), Level 3 charging uses direct current (DC). The voltage is also much higher than Level 1 & 2 charging, which is why you don’t see Level 3 chargers installed at home.

Why You Need A Home Charging Station

Since there are public charging stations around Lexington, you may not think you need a home station. Or, you may think, "I have a standard outlet at my home - Why do I need something else besides that to charge my car?"

Electric vehicle owners benefit from having their own charging station at their place of residence in several ways, including:

• Increased EV Range - EV chargers provide faster charging than a wall outlet. This allows you to charge your electric vehicles more quickly, and therefore travel farther distances, with one full charge.
• Energy Management - Home EV chargers allow you to manage your energy consumption more effectively. These chargers have the ability to monitor energy usage, set charging schedules and manage your EV battery’s performance.
• Increase Home's Value - EV charging station installations add value to a home. EV charging stations make a home more attractive to potential homebuyers as they eliminate the hassle of finding a reliable source of energy for an electric vehicle.
• Electricity Safety - Safety is paramount when it comes to EV charging station installation. Carolina Conditions provides comprehensive electrical system safety checks to ensure you have a safe EV charging experience.