EV Charging Levels: Differences & Benefits
Level 1 and Level 2 charging, along with DC fast charging (also called Level 3 charging), provide different speeds for charging an electric vehicle’s battery. Going up the charging ladder means more efficiency in terms of charging speed, but also usually higher associated costs.
Continue reading to find out what you need to know about Level 1 vs. Level 2 charging, including where you’re most likely to encounter these charging types, when it makes sense to charge your vehicle using a particular charging level, time-to-charge, and more.
Why are there three levels of EV charging?
Each of the three levels of EV charging provides different options for charging speed and convenience. Level 1 charging uses a standard, grounded 120V AC (alternating current) outlet–which is found in most U.S. homes. Level 1 charging has the benefit of being easily accessible to most homeowners, but takes the longest to reach full charge. Level 2 also uses an AC outlet and can be done at home, but provides a faster charging speed than Level 1 through the use of specialized equipment. Finally, DC fast charging (also known as Level 3) uses a direct current to provide the fastest rate of charging, but it’s only available in public places and cannot be installed in a private location like a home.
Ultimately, no charging type is “better;” because Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging all offer electricity that’s equally capable of powering an electric vehicle. However, the different levels of charging do have variances in their pros and cons, depending on your charging needs for a given moment.
United States EV Charging Speeds
| CHARGING LEVEL | POWER DELIVERY | RANGE ADDED PER HOUR | TIME TO CHARGE 60 kWh EV | TYPICAL LOCATIONS |
| Level 1 | 1 kW | 2 - 5 miles | 40 - 50 hours | Most homes, some workplaces |
| Level 2 | 7 kW - 19 kW | 10 - 20 miles | 4 - 10 hours | Homes equipped with a charging station, workplace charging stations, and public charging stations |
| Level 3/ DC fast charging | 50 kW - 350 kW | 180 - 240 miles | 20 minutes - 1 hour
1
| Strictly public use |
Level 1 charger (120V)
Level 1 charging is EV charging at its most basic and accessible. To use Level 1 charging, all you need to do is plug a charging cable into the standard, grounded 120V wall outlets found in most U.S. homes and offices. A charging cable may come standard with your purchase of a new BEV or PHEV, but check with your dealer whether or not this is the case before buying.
Because Level 1 charging uses lower voltage, it’s the slowest of the three common charging options. Depending on the health and size of your battery, weather, battery temperature and a few other factors, Level 1 charging can recharge your battery at a 2 to 5 miles-per-hour pace for most vehicles.
At this pace, Level 1 charging can typically recharge the smaller battery of a PHEV overnight, making it a very practical option if you plan on leaving your car parked in your garage or driveway for an extended period of time. It can also be useful for charging your car at work, or for occasional top-ups throughout the day depending on the types of power outlets available in your area.
On the other hand, Level 1 charging can take 40-50 hours to bring the larger batteries of a BEV to a full charge. If you own an all-electric vehicle and take longer daily commutes, using Level 1 charging alone is unlikely to fully meet your charging needs.
Level 2 charger (208V-240V)
Level 2 charging is significantly faster than Level 1 charging and is available at public charging stations as well as in some homes and workplaces. There are two types of Level 2 chargers:
1. Portable Level 2 Charger: Requires a charging cable that plugs into a 240V outlet and into your car. These can be installed at home with assistance from an electrician.
2. Fixed Level 2 Charger: It only needs a compatible connection port to your car. These are stationary units, which are frequently installed in public places like shopping areas or workspaces, though they can also be installed in a home setting.
Most modern BEVs and PHEVs are compatible with Level 2 charging, but check with your car’s Owner’s Manual or speak to a dealer for clarification.
Level 2 charging at home
Some newer homes have been built with EV infrastructure in mind and might already have an outlet with this voltage located near your garage. But older homes (and many new homes) typically only have 240V outlets for the washer/dryer which may be inaccessible from where you park your vehicle. If this is the case, you will need to work with an electrician to install a 240V outlet (or Level 2 charger) in your garage or near the area where you park your car.
If you already have a 240V outlet located near your garage, you will likely need to purchase a Level 2 charging system. Depending on the model you choose, these can be mounted in place or plugged in to your wall (allowing them to be moved if desired). An increasing number of at-home Level 2 chargers are “smart chargers,” meaning they can be programmed to charge only at certain times of the day, show you your charging history, and so on.
When shopping for your Level 2 charger, keep the climate in your area in mind; some Level 2 chargers are built to operate better than others in colder or hotter climates.
Level 2 charging at a public charging station
Public charging stations with Level 2 charging provide drivers with access to EV charging capabilities while on the road and are available via an increasing number of charging networks. You typically need to pay to use Level 2 charging via credit card or an associated app or membership. Free Level 2 charging can be found at some workplaces and in some shopping areas.
When using a public Level 2 charger, it’s wise to follow that station’s guidelines regarding how long you are allowed to leave your car parked at a charging station.
Should I install a Level 2 charger in my home?
Whether you’re driving a PHEV or a BEV, there are many benefits to having Level 2 charging available at home. The most obvious of these is easier access to faster charging times. But home charging, especially when used during off-peak hours, is typically less expensive than using Level 2 public charging stations.
For more information, please see our article: How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV?
However, depending on your home’s setup, you may need to rewire your home to take advantage of Level 2 charging. If you’re interested in setting your home up with Level 2 charging, speak to a certified electrician about the requirements for installation in your home as well as the amperage available to you (which will impact charging efficiency). Electricians will typically also know about regulations for EV charging and if there are any discounts available, if applicable.
DC fast charging (400-1000V)
DC fast charging—now often called Level 3 charging (since Level 1 and Level 2 became standard in the EV charging lexicon)—operates between 400-1000V and is different from other types of EV charging in several ways.
● It’s faster: Depending on battery health, size, temperature and a few other factors, DC fast charging can generally take today’s BEVs from 10% to an 80% charge in 20 minutes to 1 hour for a 60 kWh battery.
● It uses DC: Level 1 and Level 2 chargers use AC, or alternating current, to recharge your vehicle’s battery. DC fast chargers, as the name suggests, use direct current, which is just one of the reasons they are typically able to charge your battery quicker than Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.
● It’s only available at public charging stations: Because of the higher voltage levels involved, DC fast charging is currently only available at public charging stations.
● It requires a different cable/connector: To handle higher voltage and power demands, DC fast chargers require a different type of charging cable and connector than Level 1 and Level 2 chargers. More on connectors below.
For owners of BEVs, DC fast charging can be very useful, especially if your car’s battery is nearly drained and you need to get somewhere quickly. Since PHEVs have smaller batteries, and typically charge far more quickly with standard Level 1 and 2 charging, many are not equipped with DC fast charging capabilities.
Frequent use of DC charging has been shown to have negative effects on your car battery’s performance, so use with discretion.
What kind of connector do I need for EV charging?
For Level 1 and Level 2 charging, most North American and Japanese manufacturers use a J1772 port for the J1772 plug (also called the J plug), which typically comes standard when you purchase your vehicle.
For DC fast charging, most manufacturers in the USA use the Combined Charging System (CCS) plug, which is designed to handle higher voltage. However, Tesla’s NACS Plug is gaining traction in the United States as a potential public standard that can work for Level 1, 2, and DC fast charging. In the coming years, it’s possible the J Plug and NACS Plug will be the two standards in the US.
For an in-depth look at different types of charging cables, please see our article: Do All Electric Vehicles Use the Same Charger?
CHARGING YOUR MAZDA PHEVS
Mazda has also partnered with ChargePoint, owner of the largest network of public charging stations in the United States, to offer streamlined installation of Level 2 chargers in your home, if desired.
BEYOND CHARGING: THE MAZDA PHEV OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE
The Mazda CX-90 PHEV blends power, efficiency, and style. As a crossover SUV, the CX-90 PHEV seats up to 8, making it one of only a handful of larger PHEVs available in today’s market.
The Mazda CX-70 PHEV on the other hand, seats up to 5, creating extra cargo space to carry anything you need for the road ahead.
With a design that captures the essence of motion and a luxurious interior that invites you to indulge in every journey, the Mazda PHEVs are truly a masterpiece of engineering.
Explore the 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV and shop today, or check out the 2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV online.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the latest competitive information available at the time of posting. Information herein is subject to change without notice and without Mazda incurring any obligations. You acknowledge that we have no duty or obligation to maintain or update any such information and agree that your reliance on any such information is at your own risk.