Are All Electric Car Chargers the Same?

Electric power is more popular than ever in the Rye area, with all the most popular automakers offering a hybrid or electric model in their lineup. Mercedes-Benz currently offers several vehicles under their Mercedes-EQ brand, including the EQE, EQB, and EQS. If you’ve just bought an electric car, or you’re thinking about buying one, you may be asking yourself: are electric car chargers universal? Do you need to buy multiple chargers for multiple vehicles?

Fortunately, all EVs require the same plug for Level 1 and Level 2 charging, which means they can use any electric car charger! You won’t have to buy a charger specific to Mercedes-EQ to charge your new vehicle. The only exception to this rule is Tesla, which runs on the brand-specific Tesla Supercharger. Check out the guide below for details on the different types of electric car chargers, then head to our inventory to start picking out your next ride!

What Are the Different Types of Electric Car Chargers?

So, how many types of electric car chargers are there? Generally, you can divide EV chargers into three categories: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Level 1 and 2 are primarily found in home charging stations, while Level 3 is usually only found in public. Here are more details:

Level 1 Charging

Level 1 chargers are the most convenient, since they plug into a standard 120-volt three-prong outlet. Most new EVs ship with a complimentary Level 1 charger included. However, since most 120-volt outlets are used to power things like microwaves and laptops, charging a vehicle takes much longer–it usually takes multiple days to bring the battery back up to full capacity. Level 1 chargers are best used on plug-in hybrids (since they have smaller batteries) or as a last resort for EV drivers.

Level 2 Charging

Level 2 chargers are the most common type of home charging used by EV drivers. They’re much more powerful than Level 1 charger, adding anywhere from 12 to 80 miles to your vehicle per hour of charging. Level 2 chargers can typically charge your battery to 100% overnight, so you can plug it in after dinner and have it ready to go before your morning commute. Level 2 chargers have to be professionally installed by an electrician, but most drivers find that the faster charging speeds are worth it.

Level 3 Charging

Level 3 chargers are usually only found in public charging stations, since they’re too powerful for home electric grids. If you’re out and about around Stamford, you can take advantage of a Level 3 charging station, which uses direct current (DC) charging to generate as many as 20 miles per minute!

Learn More About EVs with Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich

Interested in seeing how one of our EVs handles on the road for yourself? Contact our office to set up a test drive! We’ll take it from there and get you behind the wheel on the New Canaan roads in no time. You can also contact our office or check out our blog for more information on the electric vehicles in our lineup.