The three types of Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers are currently ENERGY STAR certified:
- 120 volt (120V) models (called "Level 1" by industry) are less expensive, but they charge vehicles at a slower rate. They are best for older electric car models and mini-hybrids that have small batteries, since the charging rate is modest, about 1.5kW, which provides cars with approximately 2-5 miles of range per hour (which would in general charge one car during the standard work day).
- 240 volt (240V) models, (called "Level 2" by industry) which draw approximately 7.5kW, providing cars with a range of 10-20 miles of range per hour charging. In most cases, Level 2 charging is the best option for commercial buildings to meet the employees needs for charge time and charge rate. However, to facilitate charging by multiple cars per day, it is often necessary for organizations to establish policies for employees to move their charged vehicles after a certain amount of time.
- Direct Current (DC) "fast" charging (50kW and higher) units are expected to be available for purchase by the end of 2021, because the ENERGY STAR specification was recently completed. These units are the most expensive to install, but offer the fastest charging stations with 60-80 miles of range per 20 minutes of charging.
All ENERGY STAR certified EV chargers use 40% less energy than a standard EV charger in standby mode. All certified chargers are safety tested (it is possible to purchase non-safety certified chargers, unless safety ratings are verified by purchasers). In addition, some ENERGY STAR EV chargers offer connected functionality. These models may be capable of supporting participation in utility demand response programs through open communication protocols.
There are over 40 certified ENERGY STAR EV Chargers for sale now: see list here.