It depends on the charger type. A Level 1 charger uses a standard 120 V outlet, a Level 2 charger uses 208 to 240 V, and a DC fast charger delivers several hundred volts of DC to the battery. In Europe, three-phase supplies of 400 V also feed 11 kW and 22 kW AC chargers.
Key Takeaways
- Level 1 is 120 V, Level 2 is 208 to 240 V, and DC fast charging is several hundred volts DC.
- Voltage times current equals power, so higher voltage is the main reason Level 2 is faster.
- The same charger delivers less power on a 208 V commercial supply than on 240 V at home.
- European three-phase 400 V supplies enable 11 kW and 22 kW AC charging where the car supports it.
The Voltage Map
| Charger type | Supply voltage | Typical power | Range added per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (North America) | 120 V AC | About 1 kW | 2 to 5 miles |
| Level 2 (North America) | 208 to 240 V AC | 7 to 19 kW | 10 to 20 miles |
| AC three-phase (Europe) | 400 V three-phase | 11 kW or 22 kW | Roughly 30 to 80 miles |
| DC fast charging | Several hundred volts DC | 50 to 350 kW | 180 to 240 miles |
The power and range figures are the U.S. Department of Transportation’s typical values for each class, published in its guide to charger types and speeds. Voltage is only half of the story: the current matters just as much, which is why how many kW a Level 2 charger delivers varies between models on the same voltage.
Why Voltage Decides Charging Speed
Power equals voltage multiplied by current. Doubling the voltage roughly doubles the power at the same current, which is why a 240 V Level 2 charger delivers many times the energy of a 120 V Level 1 unit on a similar circuit. AC charging passes through the car’s onboard charger, which converts it to DC for the battery and sets the car’s own limit. A DC fast charger does that conversion in the station instead, at several hundred volts, and equipment in this class is rated as high as 1,000 V on the DC side. That is also why DC charging is far faster than any home option, as the comparison of Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging sets out.
120 V, 208 V and 240 V: Small Differences That Matter
North American homes supply 240 V split-phase power, so a home Level 2 charger usually runs at 240 V. Many commercial buildings supply 208 V instead, and the same charger delivers less power there: a 32 A unit gives about 7.7 kW at 240 V but only about 6.7 kW at 208 V. Check which supply your building has before you compare chargers. And never plug a charger into a higher voltage than its rating: a 120 V-only Level 1 unit on a 240 V outlet can be damaged, which our article on Level 1 chargers and 240 V outlets covers in detail. Any new circuit belongs to a licensed electrician.
Three-Phase 400 V in Europe: 11 kW and 22 kW AC
Much of Europe has three-phase power at homes and businesses. Three phases at 16 A give 11 kW, and at 32 A they give 22 kW, provided the car’s onboard charger accepts it. A portable three-phase unit such as the ACS1605PE 11 kW portable charger (16 A three-phase, CEE 5-pin plug, Type 2, IP66) plugs straight into an industrial CEE socket, and our guide to CEE plugs for three-phase portable chargers explains how to choose between 16 A and 32 A. On a single-phase supply the same car will charge more slowly, because only one phase is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 240 V charger the same thing as Level 2?
In North America, yes. Level 2 means AC charging at 208 to 240 V, whether the unit is a portable charger on a 240 V outlet or a fixed wallbox.
What voltage does a DC fast charger use?
Several hundred volts DC, varying with the vehicle and the station. The car’s battery voltage sets the working range, and DC equipment in this class is rated up to about 1,000 V.
Can my home supply 400 V three-phase power?
Most North American homes cannot; they have 240 V split-phase service. Three-phase supply is common in much of Europe and in commercial buildings elsewhere. Your electrician or utility can confirm what your property has.
Related Reading
- How Many kW Is a Level 2 Charger?
- Level 1 vs Level 2 vs DC Fast Charging: A Practical Comparison
- Can I Plug a Level 1 Charger Into a 240V Outlet?
- CEE Plugs Explained: Choosing 16A or 32A for a Three-Phase Portable EV Charger
