A Quick Guide to Chargepoint Levels

Electric-vehicle (EV) charging isn’t one-size-fits-all.  

Understanding the three standard “levels” tells you how fast you’ll be back on the road, which hardware you need, and what kind of experience you can promise drivers.  

Let’s break them down, then help you decide which level makes the most sense for your home, fleet or business. 

What is Chargepoint Level 1? 

Level 1 charging is as simple as it gets. Just plug your EV into a standard wall outlet using the cable that came with the car. That’s it. 

You’ll get around 6–8 km of range per hour, enough for daily driving if you’re covering less than 50 miles a day and can leave your car plugged in overnight. It’s slow, but reliable, cheap, and always there when you need it. 

When Do You Need Chargepoint Level 1? 

• You have off-street parking and low daily mileage. 

• You’re renting and can’t install new hardware. 

• You want an emergency back-up when faster chargers aren’t available. 

What is Chargepoint Level 2? 

Step up to Level 2 and the conversation changes from “Will it be ready tomorrow?” to “Will it be ready by lunch?”  

Level 2 is fast, flexible, and perfect for homes, workplaces, and public spots. 

Using a 240 V connection (or 3-phase 400 V in much of Europe), Level 2 chargers deliver 7–11 kW at home and up to 19 kW for businesses. That means 40–65 km of range per hour, enough to fully recharge most EVs during a work shift, lunch stop, or overnight stay. 

It’s the sweet spot between speed and cost, and it’s what most EV drivers use day-to-day. 

When Do You Need Chargepoint Level 2? 

Whether you’re a homeowner, a fleet manager, or running a customer-facing business, Level 2 is your go-to when: 

• You want faster charging without jumping to expensive infrastructure 

• You need to support multiple users or vehicles 

• You're looking to add value to your location and keep people coming back 

• You want a solution that’s compatible with virtually every EV on the road 

What is Chargepoint Level 3? 

Level 3 (also known as DC fast charging) delivers high-voltage power directly to the battery, skipping the car’s onboard charger and drastically speeding things up. 

Power starts around 50 kW and can reach 400 kW+, depending on the charger and the vehicle. In real terms, that means you can recharge from 10% to 80% in 15 to 30 minutes, adding up to 300 km of range in a short stop. 

This is the go-to option for long-distance travel, logistics fleets, and high-turnover locations where speed matters. 
 

When Do You Need Chargepoint Level 3? 

• High-turnover locations: Ideal for motorway rest stops, fuel stations, and busy urban sites where drivers need to charge and go in under 30 minutes. 
   

• Fleet operations: Perfect for logistics hubs, delivery depots, or taxis that run all day and can't afford downtime. 
   

• Long-distance travel: Essential for enabling reliable intercity and cross-country EV trips with minimal charging stops. 
   

• Limited dwell time: Useful where people only stop briefly, like fast food outlets, convenience stores, or short-term car parks. 
   

• Scalability: Supports future traffic volume and growing EV adoption, especially in public infrastructure and transport networks. 

Picking the Right Level for You 

Not sure which chargepoint level fits your needs? It comes down to how long vehicles stay, how much power you can deliver, and how you plan to grow. Here’s how to make the right call: 

1. Audit dwell time 

   • Home overnight? Level 1 or 2. 

   • Retail (1–4 hrs)? Level 2. 

   • Highway rest stop (15–30 min)? DC fast. 
     
     

2. Size your electrical service 

   • Level 2 can often piggy-back on existing panels. 

   • DC fast almost always needs a utility dialog. 
     
     

3. Factor in total cost of ownership 

   • Hardware price rises with power, but so do revenue opportunities and customer satisfaction. 
     
     

4. Plan for tomorrow 

   • Install conduit and oversize cable runs now; upgrade electronics later as cars demand more kW. 

*230 V in most of Europe; numbers adjusted accordingly. 

Conclusion 

There are three main chargepoint levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. 

Each of them comes with different speeds, use cases, and needed infrastructure. Understanding how they work helps you match the right solution to your location, users, and business goals. 

However, choosing the right chargepoint level is just the start. 

eMabler helps you connect, manage and scale your EV charging services; faster, smarter, and fully integrated with your business. 

Talk to us today to see how our API-first platform can support your EV charging operations and unlock new value for your customers and new renevues for your business!