EV Charging Stations: Stage 1 vs Stage 2 vs Stage 3

Electric vehicles (EVs) are environmentally friendly and modern, and they can help slash your gas bill. If you’re planning to invest in a new EV or hybrid, it’s important to understand how to charge it. There are three levels of charging stations and knowing how they work might help you plan adequately. Read on for Spokane Hyundai’s guide to EV charging stations.

How Do EV Charging Stations Work?

Image by Ed Harvey | Licensed with Pexels License

EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) both have rechargeable batteries that help power their engines. EVs operate entirely off their electric battery, while PHEVs use a mixture of gas and battery power. To power up these cars, you can charge them at a charging station.

These charging stations look a bit like gas pumps, and they work similarly to them. You simply pull your vehicle up beside the pump, open your car’s port, and insert the charging pump. It typically alerts you when your car is ready. There are three types of chargers, each one providing a different amount of energy:

• Level 1.
• Level 2.
• Level 3.

EV owners typically have at least one type of charger at home to plug their vehicle into overnight. Many employers also offer discounted or free EV charging to employees on-site. You can also find public EV chargers in the parking lots and garages of some stores, hotels, and malls. Some public stations are free, but most require payment. Prices can vary between public chargers, so it’s helpful to understand how these three types of chargers differ in cost and energy supply to ensure you fill up in the right place.

Level 1 Charging

Level 1 EV charging stations are the most basic options available. They’re 120 volts, which is about the strength of a typical wall outlet. Level 1 charging stations power the battery at a rate of about 3 to 5 miles per hour. Most all-electric batteries take about 11-20 hours to reach a full charge on a Level 1 charger, so this option is best for plug-in hybrids rather than BEVs.

Most EVs and PHEVs come with a Level 1 charger at the time of purchase. Because of its limited power supply and popularity, the Level 1 charger is the most affordable charging option. They typically cost between $80 and $180, with an extra $150 for installation, according to HomeGuide.

Level 2 Charging

Level 2 charging stations are between 208 and 240 volts, which is about twice as much as Level 1 stations. For reference, that’s about the amount of energy the average water heater uses. You can choose the number of amps the charger supplies. These chargers typically can offer between 12 and 80 amps. They typically add 12 to 80 miles per hour to your battery, depending on the amps your charger supplies.

In about 4.5 hours, you can have a fully charged EV. On average, however, it might take about 8 hours to charge an empty battery on a Level 2 charger. These chargers are the most common kind. When you see a row of chargers in a public place, they’re usually Level 2 chargers. Because they’re relatively affordable and efficient, plenty of EV owners invest in a Level 2 charger to use at home. Some automakers include Level 2 chargers with new EVs and PHEVs. Many also come with chargers that can alternate between Level 1 and Level 2 charging.

If you have a Level 1 charger, you might consider upgrading to a much-faster Level 2 device. Level 2 charging stations are pricier than Level 1 charging stations, especially if you install one in your home. Kelley Blue Book notes that it usually costs about $2,000 to upgrade to a Level 2 charging station.

Level 3 Charging

Level 3 chargers are either DC Fast Chargers or Tesla Superchargers. These chargers can add between 75 and 1,200 miles per hour to an EV or hybrid battery. These chargers use direct current (DC) rather than alternating current (AC), which contributes to the steep increase in efficiency between levels two and three.

Most homes can only handle AC devices, so it’s uncommon to find a Level 3 charging station in a residential location. In addition to being impractical for most homeowners, they’re also expensive. They typically cost over $20,000. Some even boast six-figure prices, making them a steep investment at home for most buyers. Instead, these chargers are usually only available in commercial areas. These chargers can be beneficial if you need a lot of energy fast in a pinch. For example, it can be a relief to see a row of Level 3 chargers on a long road trip when you’re short on power.

Level 3 chargers can fill up most EV batteries in about an hour. Some models can reach 80% capacity in just 15 minutes. Depending on the brand of DC Fast Charger, some can supply cars with up to 400 miles per hour.

Superchargers are Tesla’s branded style of Level 3 chargers, and they only work with Tesla vehicles. Other EVs and hybrids like Hyundai models use the DC Fast Charger. Charging your car on a Level 3 charger is typically more expensive than using a Level 2 charger.

Hyundai Electric Vehicles in Spokane

If you’re ready to purchase a new EV or PHEV in the Spokane area, Spokane Hyundai has a vast inventory of 2022 and 2023 models. Hyundai EVs come with two years of free 30-minute charging sessions at DC Fast Chargers. Models include:

• Hyundai Ioniq 5.
• Hyundai Kona Electric.
• Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid.
• Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

You can learn more about our inventory of electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles by talking with one of our Hyundai experts. If you’re in the Spokane area, Spokane Hyundai is your destination for convenient, personalized car buying support. Contact us to schedule a test drive of a new eco-friendly vehicle at our dealership and discuss your options for EV charging with someone who understands your needs.