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Electric Vehicles Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash |
A skilled executive, Peter Heintzelman is the president and chief executive officer of Cobb EMC in Marietta, Georgia. The largest electric co-op utility in the United States, Cobb EMC and Peter Heintzelman are recognized as innovative leaders in the field of electric vehicles. In fact, the utility was the first in the country to provide free overnight charging for electric vehicles (EVs) through its NiteFlex program, offering users 400 kWh of energy for free when used in the later hours of the day.
There are three classifications of chargers used for EVs: level 1, level 2, and level 3. Of these, only level 1 and 2 chargers are commonly used within the home. These chargers use a standard 120-volt outlet or a specialized 240-volt station, respectively.
Almost all EVs are equipped with a level 1 charger that can plug into a typical wall socket, making this the most common in home settings. Once plugged in, an empty battery takes about eight to 15 hours to fully charge. This will grant drivers 75 to 80 miles of run-time before the car must be charged again.
Level 2 chargers are faster, providing the same amount of distance capability in about half the time. However, since they require 240-volt outlets, they are most often seen at workplaces or public charging stations. Homes can handle these chargers, but only with the correct outlets installed. Further, it’s important to note that level 2 chargers, while compatible with most EVs, are sold separately from the vehicle.
Finally, there are level 3, or DC fast chargers, the fastest on the market. They can charge an empty battery fully within about 15 minutes to an hour. These are not compatible with every EV, however, and they are not suited for home installation, since they require a high amount of energy. Because of this, level 3 chargers are usually only found at public charging stations.
There are three classifications of chargers used for EVs: level 1, level 2, and level 3. Of these, only level 1 and 2 chargers are commonly used within the home. These chargers use a standard 120-volt outlet or a specialized 240-volt station, respectively.
Almost all EVs are equipped with a level 1 charger that can plug into a typical wall socket, making this the most common in home settings. Once plugged in, an empty battery takes about eight to 15 hours to fully charge. This will grant drivers 75 to 80 miles of run-time before the car must be charged again.
Level 2 chargers are faster, providing the same amount of distance capability in about half the time. However, since they require 240-volt outlets, they are most often seen at workplaces or public charging stations. Homes can handle these chargers, but only with the correct outlets installed. Further, it’s important to note that level 2 chargers, while compatible with most EVs, are sold separately from the vehicle.
Finally, there are level 3, or DC fast chargers, the fastest on the market. They can charge an empty battery fully within about 15 minutes to an hour. These are not compatible with every EV, however, and they are not suited for home installation, since they require a high amount of energy. Because of this, level 3 chargers are usually only found at public charging stations.