Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) is the hardware between the electrical grid and a vehicle: the charger, its cable and connector, and the controls that make charging safe. The industry groups EVSE into three levels by how it delivers power.
At a glance
| Level 1 | Level 2 | DC fast charging | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply | 120 V AC | 208–240 V AC | 400–1,000 V DC |
| Typical power | 1–2 kW | 6–19 kW | 50–350 kW and up |
| Range added | ~3–5 miles per hour | ~15–40 miles per hour | ~100–300 miles in 20–30 minutes |
| Where it fits | Homes, overnight; low-mileage drivers | Homes, workplaces, multifamily, destinations | Highway corridors, high-turnover public sites, fleets |
| Converts AC to DC | In the vehicle | In the vehicle | In the charger |
Range figures are rough. They depend on the vehicle’s efficiency, its onboard charger limit, battery temperature and state of charge.
Level 1
Level 1 uses a standard 120-volt household outlet and the portable cord that ships with most vehicles. It needs no installation, which is its main advantage. It is slow: an overnight session adds roughly 40 miles, which covers many commutes but not much more.
Level 2
Level 2 runs on a 208- or 240-volt circuit, the same class of circuit as an electric dryer. It is the workhorse of EV charging: most home, workplace and destination charging is Level 2. Power is limited by the circuit and by the vehicle’s onboard charger. A 40-amp circuit supports a 32-amp charger (about 7.7 kW at 240 V), because continuous loads are sized at 125 percent under the National Electrical Code.
In NREL’s 2030 scenario, private Level 1 and Level 2 ports at homes make up over 90 percent of the charging ports the country needs. Most charging happens where vehicles park for hours.
DC fast charging
A DC fast charger converts grid power to direct current itself and feeds the battery directly, bypassing the vehicle’s onboard charger. This allows far higher power, but it needs a three-phase utility service, often a dedicated transformer, and a much larger capital and maintenance budget.
The vehicle, not the charger, sets the actual charging rate. A car that accepts 150 kW charges at 150 kW or less on a 350 kW unit, and the rate tapers as the battery fills, typically past 80 percent.
Choosing a level
- Vehicles parked for hours (homes, offices, hotels, depots overnight): Level 2.
- Vehicles parked under an hour, or traveling long distances: DC fast charging.
- Low daily mileage and an existing outlet: Level 1 may be enough.
Before choosing, read the connector standards guide to make sure the equipment fits the vehicles it will serve.