What is the most powerful home electric car charger?

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While there are plenty of options for charging electric cars, it all boils down to what is the fastest EV charger suitable for your driving needs - fastest not just in terms of charging speed but availability as well.

For casual EV drivers, Level 1 chargers that come with the purchase of their car may be enough to get them by.

For those who want more miles of range for day-to-day commute, Level 2 chargers may be the best option.

And for drivers who want even more range and faster charging speed, DC fast charging stations are the solution.

But what exactly are these charging levels?

EV charging explained

If you haven't read our previous blogs about EV charging, here's a little recap.

EV charging is the use of an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to pull electrical current from either a 240-volt outlet or the electric grid it's hardwired to and deliver electricity to your electric vehicle, just like any other device you plug into your wall outlet.

There are three levels of EV charging:

Level 1 chargers 

Level 1 is the simplest and has the slowest charging speed of the three. Most EVs come with a Level 1 electric car charger, which you can simply plug into your standard outlet.

It's only capable of 4 to 6 miles of range per hour, which is likely enough for your daily commute.

If you have an EV with a 200 miles range, it will take around 35 to 50 hours to fully charge.

Level 2 chargers

Level 2 chargers are plugged into 220-240-volt outlets typically used for washing machines, electric clothes dryers, and other major appliances.

These chargers can also be hardwired into your home with a dedicated 240-volt circuit.

Level 2 chargers are often found in public charging stations like retail parking, so you can have your battery topped up while grocery shopping.

Electric vehicles can go from zero to full charge in just under 10 hours.

DC fast chargers

DC fast chargers use direct current (DC power) instead of alternating current.

A DC fast charger delivers DC power directly to your car, with up to 400-900V of maximum power.

This can charge your unit from zero to 80% in just under 30 minutes!

All EVs sold in North America use the Combined Charging System connector for DC charging.

The Tesla Supercharger 

The Tesla Supercharger falls under the DC charger category. It's Tesla's proprietary charger designed explicitly for Tesla cars.

This can charge up to 250 kW, which can fill up your Tesla model in just 20 minutes.

What is EV fast charging?

EV fast charging stations charge EV batteries directly, effectively reducing charging time.

In electric cars that are capable of using this rapid charge technology, fast chargers can bypass the onboard charger to send power directly to the battery.

How long it takes to fully charge an electric car?

How long it takes to fully charge an electric vehicle depends on the charging point you're using.

A Level 1 EV charger is limited to just 4 to 6 miles of range per hour, which could be enough for your daily commute. A 200-mile range car will take around 35 to 50 hours to fully charge.

Level 2 EV charging station can give your electric vehicle up to 13 to 75 miles of range per hour. A full charge is possible in under 10 hours.

DC fast charging stations can charge your electric car from zero to 80% in just under 30 minutes.

Factors that affect charging speed

Did you know that the weather can affect charging speed?

Like any other battery, EV batteries need to maintain an operating temperature. The colder the temperature, the longer charging takes

Your battery's State of Charge (SoC) can also be a factor.

Simply put, SoC is the amount of energy left in your battery. It's the battery percentage you see on your screen. So, the lower the SoC, the longer the charging time.

Choosing the fastest EV charger

Ultimately, choosing the fastest electric car charger boils down to preference. There are several factors to consider, including the car model, available space, range, and how fast it can charge your EV.

Fastest EV chargers

1. Terra 360

   Terra 360 is a new charger from ABB. This modular charger is capable of fully charging EVs in less than 15 minutes or more than 62 miles of range in less than three minutes.

   As of writing, the Terra 360 is the only charger designed explicitly to simultaneously charge up to four vehicles. With the dynamic power distribution, EV users won't have to wait for their turn if someone else is already charging ahead of them. They can just simply pull up to another plug.

   Terra 360 has a maximum output of 360 kW, giving you the fastest charging experience in the e-mobility market.

   These chargers can be customized with branding and color using LED light strips, as well as an optional 27-inch advertisement screen for images and video playback.

   ABB is hoping to make the modular charger available in Europe, the US, Latin America, and Asia Pacific regions.

   The Swiss engineering company is looking to make EV charging as convenient as gassing up at traditional refueling stations.

2. Zerova 4th Generation Four Gun Charger

   As ABB launches the world's fastest electric car charger in the form of Terra 360, here comes the Zerova 4th Generation Four Gun Charger, which can fully charge a vehicle in 10 minutes and give 93 miles of range in less than five minutes.

   Like the Terra 360, the 4th Generation Four Gun Charger is capable of charging up to four vehicles, which could be a great solution to congested urban charging stations.

   This EV charging infrastructure could be used in fleet applications, as it comes with four five-meter-long cables to increase accessibility.

   Officially launching in Q4 of 2023, the 4th Generation Four Gun Charger will come in two variants: the standard 360kW model and the expanded 480kW

3. The Lectron V-BOX

   In terms of in-home charging, the 48A 240V Lectron V-BOX packs quite the punch. It fully charges an EV in just six hours, which is perfect for charging overnight, and giving your EV a full charge for your daily commute. Retailing for just $449.99, it is the perfect balance of power and affordability.

FAQs

Who makes the fastest EV charger?

As of writing, the world's fastest EV charger available is the Terra 360 manufactured by ABB.

Which is the fastest charging station?

Terra 360 by ABB is the fastest charging station available today.

Can you charge any EV at a Tesla station?

Yes, you can charge non-Tesla EVs in Tesla charging stations (except Superchargers) using Tesla to J1772 adapters.