Types of EV Chargers
Electric vehicle chargers vary in two main ways: the level or speed of charging and the connector type. Most chargers will use the J1772 connector type for Level 2 charging and CHAdeMO or CCS connectors for DC fast charging. Tesla EVs are an exception and make use of a proprietary connector type.
2 Levels of Charging
Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) from Inertial Electric will be rated Level 2 or Level 3, depending on the voltage and charging speed.
Level 2 Chargers
- 240V AC Power Supplies, similar to those used with washing machines & dryers
- Most common types of chargers
- Provides 10-20 miles of range per hour
Level 3 Chargers
- Also known as DC fast chargers
- 480V DC Power Supplies
- Typically used in high-traffic public areas
- Much quicker than Level 2 charging
- Provide around an 80% charge in 20 to 30 minutes
Connector Types
Level 2 Chargers
Level 2 chargers will typically make use of the 5-pin Type 1 (J1772) connector type. The only exception is Tesla, which provides a Type 1 adapter with each vehicle sold. Many Level 2 chargers are untethered, meaning the charging cable detaches from both ends. Untethered EVSEs are more versatile because they can charge any EV with a compatible charging cable. Tethered chargers only support one type of connector but are common for fleets that have uniform connector types.
Level 3 DC Fast Chargers
Level 3 DC fast chargers come in three varieties, including the 7-pin J1772, CHAdeMO, combo Combined Charging System (CCS) and Tesla Supercharger connections. Most DC fast chargers have tethered cables for both J1772 and CCS connector types or Tesla connector types.