What is Level 3 Electric Vehicle Charger?

While electric vehicles have grown in popularity, the demand for quicker and more efficient ways of charging has been among the major issues for electric vehicle owners. Such an evolution has placed Level 3 chargers, also known as Direct Current Fast Chargers, ahead of the pack: this enables charging an EV in a fraction of the time lower-level chargers take. 

In this blog, we’ll dive into what Level 3 car chargers are and what makes them stand out, compare them with Level 1 and Level 2 chargers, and explore the future of EV charging infrastructure.

Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3-DC Fast Charging Levels

This is generally classified into three levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 electric vehicle chargers. 

- Level 1 Charger: This is the most basic form of EV charging and generally comes standard with your vehicle. It utilizes a standard 120-volt AC household outlet, which means you can plug your car into any ordinary outlet. It's oppressively slow, though. With Level 1 chargers, you add approximately 3 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging, which makes them best suited to overnight charging or drivers who only do a few miles daily. 

level 1 charger

- Level 2 Charger: A step up from the Level 1 charger is the Level 2 charger. The Level 2 charger utilizes a 240-volt AC outlet - the same one your dryer or other major appliances use. Level 2 chargers are considerably quicker than Level 1 charging, adding about 12 to 80 miles of range per hour, depending on the charger and the vehicle. These can be found at most public charging stations, and many workplaces also offer this option; moreover, many EV owners prefer to install them at home for faster, more convenient charging.

- Level 3 Charger (DC Fast Charger): Level 3 is quite different. While Level 1 and Level 2 use alternating current, or AC, Level 3 moves to take in direct current, or DC, to charge the battery directly. This allows for much faster charging times. In fact, with a Level 3 fast charger, you can add up to 250 miles in as little as 30 minutes at a time, depending on your EV. These usually can be found at public charging stations along highways and busy urban areas, designed for a quick top-off during long trips.

Charging Power and Speed

One of the most striking features of level 3 car fast chargers is their charging power and speed. It requires understanding how Level 3 chargers work in contrast to Level 1 and Level 2 chargers to comprehend why they charge much faster.

  • Level 1 Chargers use a 120-volt supply and give an approximate power of 1.4 to 2.4 kW, allowing for prolonged charging.
  • Level 2 Chargers operate at 240 volts and supply anywhere between 7 kW to 19.2 kW - much faster compared to Level 1.
  • Level 3 Chargers use much higher voltages, from 400 to 800, at 50 kW to 350 kW or more. This can allow batteries to recharge ultra-fast from 20% to 80% in as short as 20-40 minutes. 

Level 3 DC fast chargers bypass the onboard charger in your vehicle and feed DC power directly to the battery, which is why they are so much quicker. However, you may get a partial charging speed from a given charger since it depends on both the charger's output and the vehicle's charging capacity. Not all EVs can take full advantage of the highest power outputs of a Level 3 charger.

level 1 charger

Preparing for Level 3 Charging

If you're thinking of getting your EV charged with a Level 3 electric vehicle charger, you'll have to make some preparations:

  1. Purchasing the Charger:Most Level 3 DC fast chargers are installed in public charging stations, although a few can be installed on private grounds. Major businesses or apartment complexes with ample parking facilities may also install them. The prices for these chargers are very high, between $40,000 and $170,000, depending on factors such as power output and manufacturer.
  1. Installation Location:Level 3 DC fast chargers are typically installed in extremely high-traffic areas such as highway stops, shopping centers, or city centers. Since most of them possess heavy infrastructure, planning an installation must consider space, ease of access, and availability of power supply.
  1. Power Supply Requirements:Level 3 DC fast chargers require a very high power supply, around 480 volts three-phase AC, which is more than what the average household or small enterprise can employ, and thus the electrical infrastructure to support such should be strong. 
  1. Cost Range:Installing a Level 3 DC fast charger is a costly undertaking, with charges running from $50,000 to $100,000, counting the equipment, installation, labor fees, and many cases where upgrading of the electrical infrastructure may be required.

Compatibility Between EVs and Connectors

Not all EVs support Level 3 charging, and it's dependent upon vehicle type and form of connector standard put into use. The following are the major connector types:

  • A combined charging system (CCS)combines AC and DC charging under one standard, mainly followed in North America and Europe. It can serve most of the new EVs in the market, like Volkswagen, BMW, and Ford.
  • CHAdeMO (CHArge de MOve):This standard from Japan provides the current in-service basis for various Japanese manufacturers, including Nissan and Mitsubishi. However, it is being superseded by CCS in most regions.
  • Tesla Supercharger Network:Tesla utilizes a proprietary plug for its Supercharger network, with most new Tesla models coming equipped with an adapter to draw power from CCS-type charging. 

Be sure to check your EV's compatibility with the available connector type before going to a Level 3 charging station. 

Advantages of Level 3 EV Charger

Level 3, also known as DC fast charging, charges much quicker than Levels 1 and 2. Level 1 charging utilizes a standard 120-volt outlet, which gives about 2 to 5 miles of range per hour. Level 2 charges at 240 volts, giving one around 10 to 30 miles of range per hour.

In comparison, Level 3 charging provides up to 400 volts or more. It offers about 60-80 miles in a mere 20 minutes, while some chargers can achieve up to 350 kW of power, allowing even quicker replenishment of the EV's battery.  

This makes it perfect for long-distance travel or just quick top-ups during short stops. Level 3 charging is immensely more efficient in time-critical situations and has the potential to reduce downtime compared to Levels 1 and 2 greatly.

Charging Stations as a Hub of Expansion and Evolution in the Future

With the increasing adoption of the EV in the forthcoming years, one is expecting increased charging stations with expansion and technological advancements. Presently, we are seeing ultra-fast chargers coming up that can deliver an output of 1,000 kW, further reducing charging times. Governments and private firms are investing several billion dollars in charging infrastructure, predominantly along major highways and around urban centers. 

In the future, expect to see more Level 3 fast chargers in place, offering increased compatibility across different electric vehicle brands and overall faster charging speeds.Level 3 fast chargers represent the future of electric vehicle charging, as they combine speed with convenience, further growing the shift to electric mobility. As networks expand and technology improves, EV charging will be no different from filling up at a gas station, driving broad-based EV adoption.


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