Before knowing the EV charging system and its types, it is very important to know what is a charger for electric vehicle. We use charger to convert electric energy obtained from any energy source into energy for storing in rechargeable battery. Sources like power source, solar panel, generator.
Table of Contents
EV charger classification based on installation
- On board charger
- Off board charger
1. On board charger
Level – 1 charger
- Power Source: 120 volts (standard household outlet in most regions).
- Power Output: Typically delivers 1.4 to 1.9 kW.
- Connector Type: Standard J1772(type -1 ) connector (used by most EVs, except Tesla, which requires an adapter).
- Best suited for overnight home charging system or when driving short distances daily.
- Ideal for users who don’t drive much or have long periods to charge ( 8-12 hours overnight).
- Requires no special installation—just plug into a regular outlet.
- Cheapest option for EV owners. Very slow charging system speed; not practical for long trips or heavy daily usage.
LEVEL -1 IMPORTANCE
In India, level 1 charging system means using 230V (generally). This method is mostly used in the two-wheeler and tipper vehicle segment.
Vehicles using level 1 charging include
Electric two-wheeler:
Hero Electric Optima: A popular electric scooter that can be charged using a standard 230V outlet.
Ether 450x: While it supports fast charging options, it can also be charged using a regular household socket.
electric three-wheeler:
Mahindra Treo: An electric auto-rickshaw designed for city transportation, which is compatible with daily domestic charging.
electric four-wheeler:
Tata Tigor EV: This compact electric sedan can be charged using level 1 charging, although for faster charging system. it is more efficient to use level 2 charging.
charging time: level 1 charging time is a little longer, it depends on the capacity of the battery, still it takes around 8 to 12 hours.
facility: Still the advantage is that we can easily charge the vehicle at home because nowadays everyone has access to electricity and we can charge it at night and take it anywhere in the morning.
Level-2 charger
- Power Source: 240 volts (like what is used for large appliances such as dryers).
- Power Output: Typically delivers 3.3 to 19.2 kW.
- Connector Type: J1772 (type 1 or type 2) or Tesla-specific connector for Tesla chargers.
- Perfect for home installation if you drive daily and need faster charging.
- Much faster than Level 1, making it ideal for daily EV drivers.
- Relatively affordable to install at home (may require professional installation).
- Requires a 240V outlet or dedicated circuit, which may need upgrades in older homes.
LEVEL 2 IMPORTANCE
In India, level 2 charging system is done using 240 volts. Below are some vehicle brands that support level 2 charging:
Ethar 450x: Powered by a proprietary connector, the Ethar 450x supports level 2 charging system, making home and public charging efficient.
Ola esa1 pro: This electric scooter comes with a standard 15A socket along with a portable charger, allowing level 2 charging at home.
Tata Nexon EV: Supports level 2 charging for home and public stations.
Hundi Kona Electric: It has 360 cc charging port, which is compatible with level 2 charging, which provides efficient charging facility at home and public areas.
BMW IX: It has 360 cc charging port, which supports level 2 charging, and can be charged for fast home charging using BMW Volabox.
- Electric three-wheeler:
Mahindra Treo: Designed for urban transport, Mahindra Treo supports level 2 charging, making it suitable for daily operations.
Charging infrastructure: Level 2 charges in India generally use type 2 (IAIC 62196-2) connector, which is compatible with most of the vehicles in the country. As India grows its adoption of Level 2 charging, the number of vehicles supporting this faster and more efficient charging method is increasing.
2.Off board charger
Level-3 charger
- Power Source: High-voltage direct current (DC), typically 400-900 volts.
- Power Output: Typically delivers 10 to 400 kW.
- Connector Types: CCS (Combined Charging System), CHAdeMO, or Tesla Supercharger (for Tesla vehicles).
- Ideal for long-distance travel and quick charging during road trips.
- Found at highways, rest stops, and EV-specific charging hubs.
- Extremely fast charging; great for minimizing downtime on trips.
- Compatible with most modern EVs for rapid energy replenishment.
- More expensive to use compared to Level 1 and 2.
In India, Level 3 charging means DC fast charging, which provides faster charging capabilities for electric vehicles (EVs). Level 3 charging is being used by many companies in India, which increases their use for long distances.
- Tata Nexon EV – Supports DC fast charging up to 50 kW, which enables 0-80% charging in about 56 minutes.
- MG ZS EV- Equipped with a CCS2 charging port, the MG ZS EV supports DC fast charging, which allows for adequate recharge in less time.
- Hyundai Kona Electric
Features a CCS2 charging port compatible with fast chargers, which facilitates faster charging sessions. - Mercedes-Benz EQS
The luxury electric sedan supports ultra-rapid DC charging with a maximum capacity of 207 kW, allowing a 10-80% charge in about 28 minutes when using a 300 kW DC charger. - Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 can be charged at high speeds from DC chargers installed at Kia authorised dealerships (150 kW or 240 kW) or public charging stations. - BMW iX
Comes with a Type 2 charging port, which supports DC fast charging, and can be charged using a high-power DC charger for faster refill.
LEVEL 3 IMPORTANCE
The availability of DC fast charging stations is increasing in India, with various automakers and government bodies taking initiatives to ramp up the infrastructure.
Indian electric cars and more typically use GB/T ports for DC fast charging, influenced by cost considerations and alignment with Asian markets.
The trend of Level 3 charging-compatible vehicles is increasing in India, which is increasing the demand for vehicle chargers. also in blog post you can know all about battery.
conclusion
By early 2025, the demand for charging stations is increasing as the demand for electric vehicles increases worldwide.
Global overview :
By the end of 2023, nearly 8 million public charging points were installed worldwide, an increase of 40% from 2022
In 2023, there were an average of about 11 light-duty electric vehicles per charging point globally.
Expansion of electric charging system in India
Public charging stations: India’s public EV charging system is set to grow almost ninefold from 1,800 stations in 2022 to 16,347 by March 2024.
The Indian government is promoting the development of EV charging systems through various schemes and incentives to meet the growing demand.