Is one EV charger better than another? There are certainly ones that are more popular and there are others that are newer. Some are better suited for different climates while others only have certain connectors. One thing is for certain, the global growth of the EV infrastructure is undeniable.
What are EV Chargers?
EV chargers, or Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), are devices that safely transfer energy from a power source to an electric vehicle's battery. This allows it to recharge and enable longer road trips. EVSE manages the flow of electricity and ensures safe charging.
There are different levels of EV chargers. The amount of energy that it takes to charge a car in 15 minutes is completely unnecessary for overnight charging at home.
This is the slowest charger and uses a standard household outlet. It is designed for overnight charging at home and adds about 5 miles an hour (on average) to the battery.
A level 2 charger requires a dedicated 240V outlet and is faster than a level 1 overnight charger. It adds about 30 miles of range each hour. These are found at homes, workplace and other public charging stands.
Level 3 is also known as DC Fast Charging. As the name implies, it is the fastest charger available and uses high-voltage direct current (DC). They can potentially add 100+ miles of range in about 30 minutes. They are accessible at public charging stations, gas stations and along highways. Testing for these devices is crucial as this type of high power transfer can be extremely dangerous.
EVSE testing is complicated and dangerous. Find out how the right expertise can accelerate your next project...download the brochure.
| Power (kW) per Port | Years | Connector | Operating Temp Range | # Ports | Cable Length (up to) | Locations | Results per Charge (up to) | |
ChargePoint Express Plus (1000) |
up to 500 | 15+ | CCS1 / CCS2 / CHAdeMO | -40 °F to 122 °F (-40 °C to 50 °C) | Single / Dual | 25 ft / 7.6 m | Global | - |
EVgo |
50-350 DCFC | 10+ | CHAdeMO / CCS / NACS | N/A | Dual | N/A | USA | 80% in 15-45 Minutes |
FLO UltraTM |
up to 320 | 14+ | CCS1 / CHAdeMO / NACS | -40 °F to 122 °F (-40 °C to 50 °C) | Single / Dual | 17.7 ft / 5.4 m | USA and Canada | 80% in 15 Minutes |
EVBox Troniq Modular |
90 - 240 | 13+ | CCS2 | -13°F to 104°F (-25 °C to 40 °C) | Charge up to 3 Vehicles Simultaneously | 9.8 ft / 2.99 m | Global | 137 Miles / 220 kms in 10 Minutes |
ABB Terra HP - GEN III |
175 - 350 | 10+ | CCS1 / CCS2 / CHAdeMO | -31 °F to 131 °F (-35 °C to 55 °C) | Single / Dual | 17 ft / 5.3 m | Global | 160 Miles / 257 kms in 30 Minutes |
Siemens SICHARGE D |
up to 300 | 10+ | CCS1 / CCS2 / CHAdeMO | -13°F to 131°F (-25 °C to 55 °C) | Dual | 16.4 ft / 5 m | Global | - |
Tesla Supercharger (v3) |
up to 300 | 11+ | CCS / Type 2 | -22°F to 104°F (-25 °C to 40 °C) | Single / Dual | 6.5 ft / 1.98 m | Global | 75 Miles / 121 kms in 5 Minutes |
By combining high-power test expertise with our software and system knowledge, industrial test equipment has become one of Averna's specialties. From Level 1 to 3 to bi-directional testing, our EVSE test experience is growing with the field. This led to the design of our unique EVSE Test Platform.
To manage both the challenging high-power requirements and the market demand, it is crucial to rely on a test system that performs to your specs. The right system needs to combine the tools for reliable asset communication, microgrid management, effective protocol simulation and high-power testing. This EVSE platform combines the right energy regeneration equipment with 25+ years of test experience to deliver the results you need to meet conformance in the time you need it.
For questions testing your high-power / high-voltage equipment, please contact Averna.