When we talk about EV Chargers, we need to look into their properties, the vehicle’s compatibility with its plug type, and connection parameters between car and charger. Let’s find out whether all the vehicles can be charged with one charger or if there are exceptions across the world.

• Involving the detailed discussion, let’s discuss different levels of EV Chargers. Because, without knowing the basics of chargers, we cant understand the concept of compatibility of vehicle kinds and types with their connectors.

• Different levels for EV Chargers:

Across the globe, with the innovation of modern electric vehicle technology, the demand for satisfying and cheap electric vehicle supplying equipment (EVSE) has also risen over the past few years. With the extensive use of EVs, manufacturers have also made their way in the pursuance of EV technology to upgrade the charging systems for EVs (EV CHARGERS). In the beginning, EV,s had one type of charger to provide power supply to every kind of vehicle, and the vehicles were also made according to the charging connectors. That charger was:

• Type-1 EV Charger:

  This is the first type of EV charger. It’s slow of a kind compared to other standards and levels of EV charging. Well, we calculate the intuitive of electricity in terms of voltage and amps and then power by combining both terms.

Here, we also use these terminologies to explain the power capacity of chargers. These chargers are 120-volts single-phase plugged (AC). This charger takes a very long time to fully charge your vehicle. Though they are the very first made, vehicles do have type-1 plugs still. We will discuss the vehicle using it later in the blog. Due to this, charging standards were increased and type-2 chargers were introduced:

• Type-2 EV Charger:

The second technological step in the field of EVSE was the type-2 charger. This charger is complete innovation from the previous one because it comes up with the 208-240 volts double phase plugged (AC). It usually takes a lot lesser time than type-1 as it can charge your vehicle completely just within your sleeping hours (8-12).  Talking about the present, these chargers are sensible and don’t cost you enough as compared to type-3 which we shall discuss, and can also be used in public and the household with a simple wall plug. If u desire to know extensive details regarding level 2 chargers, u can click on the link below:

https://www.kinouwellparking.com/article/type-2-ev-charger.html

Let’s talk about the latest innovation:

• Type-3  EV Charger:

With the development of type-3, the demand and interest for electric vehicles are skyrocketed. This technology has brought rapid change in the EV industry because it can charge your vehicle as fast as u know it. It has reduced the waiting time from hours to minutes with its 400-900 VOLTS power supply (DC). Type-3 has introduced modern standards for powering up vehicles all across the globe. These standards are:

• Combined charging system (CCS)
• CHADeMo

• Tesla Superchargers

If you wish to learn the basic details on how to EV chargers, click the link below:

https://www.kinouwellparking.com/article/electric-car-charging-points.html

Let’s get into details about the vehicles and connectors compatible with these standards and also with Types 1 and 2.

• Vehicles compatible with different EV chargers:

 Now we know the basics, let’s head back to our topic of the day. Do all EVs have the same chargers? The basic answer is NO. Every vehicle in its base form is not compatible with the public or homemade chargers unless it has the same connector or adapter relative to the charger and plugs also make some difference. It also depends upon phases. For a complete explanation of how the phases make difference, click the link below:

https://www.kinouwellparking.com/article/3-phase-car-charger.html

• Some Regional Differences regarding EV Chargers:

A few years back in the past, almost all vehicles used type-1 and type-2 chargers in North America. With the innovation and modifications of chargers in Europe and Asian Regions, type-3 chargers are now in use across Europe and Asia. The only Exception is Tesla which we shall discuss. Various car stations are spread all over the globe. To learn which charging station suits you the best, click on the link below:

https://www.kinouwellparking.com/article/car-charging-station-companies.html

• Type-1 Electric Vehicles:

The basic standard for type-1 plugged vehicles for charging is J1772 (J-Plug). Most of the type-1 EVs work with this built-in plug. It is also used for type-2 but mostly with the former. The charging rates of these vehicles lie between 1.3kW-4kW. Various vehicles use type-1. Some of these are:

• Toyota Prius
• Vauxhall
• Nissan Leaf (2012-2016)(latest models use types 2 and 3)
• Ford Focus
• Mitsubishi Outlander

This kind of car come with a built-in J1772. They can be adapted to type-2 charging using the proper plugs and connector cables regarding the vehicle.

• Type-2 Electric Vehicles:

Without any doubt, these types of chargers are widely in use and the vehicles that use these chargers are abundant (American and Asian Regions). These chargers also use J1772 as a standard plug for most cars. It has a charging capacity of about 22KW-50KW. Even vehicles designed for DC fast charging can use this plug for their public or household use. Some of the many vehicles that use type-2 are as follows:

• Tesla
• BMW i3
• Porsche
• Audi E-Tron
• Mercedes Benz
• Volkswagen

If you want to learn why these chargers are best, click the link below:

https://www.kinouwellparking.com/article/why-type-2-electric-car-charger-is-the-best-choice-for-evs.html

Major Exceptions arise from these vehicles in present days. We will discuss that in the last part of the blog.

• Type-3 Electric Vehicles:

As discussed earlier, this is the level where standards for EV Charging begins. The huge change is because of the high adaptability of the vehicle and charging speed which is due to DC in place of AC. Its charging capacity ranges from 50KW to 100+KW. But due to their modernized use, they are not casually located in public and rarely available for home setup DC charging. Let’s differentiate standards with vehicles:

• CCS (Combined charging system):

This system is well developed for type-3 using vehicles such as:

• Ford
• Volvo
• Chevrolet
• Mercedes
• BMW

• CHADeMo:

 This DC system is getting old and most of the vehicles using it are innovated to CCS. Still, some of the various vehicles are:

• Nissan Leaf
• Kia Soul
• Citroen C zero
• Honda Fit

• Tesla Superchargers:

Tesla superchargers are only designed for TESLA, No other vehicle can use these chargers. However, some adaptations can be made. We will discuss it in the exceptions portion.

Various EV charging solutions can be tried. Want to learn more? Click below:

https://www.kinouwellparking.com/article/ev-charging-solutions.html

• Exceptions between EV Chargers and EVs themselves:                                                                              

• TESLA:

In the case of TESLA, it has its proprietary connectors that can only be powered up using superchargers. However, using adapters of CCS and CHADeMo can also be a handful in place of superchargers such as TESLA MODEL 3 has equipped itself with a DC CCS plug system in Europe.

• BMW:

BMW i3 has a major exception because it uses amp-hours instead of kilowatt-hours for power calculation.

• Nissan Leaf:

Nissan Leaf has adapted itself over years and somehow possesses the capability to be charged by every plug and connector.

• CONCLUSION:

To conclude, we can simply say that we should have complete knowledge regarding electric cars such as what are their properties? Which charger do they use? And most importantly, the relationship between plug and connector. This technology is the gateway to an automotive future and we should have a complete and thorough understanding before buying it and using it afterward. Regards.