Charging Station Level Comparison Calculator

Compare Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Charging (DCFC) stations by estimating charge time, energy cost, and cost per mile for your electric vehicle.

Battery Capacity (kWh)

Current State of Charge (%)

Target State of Charge (%)

Vehicle Efficiency (miles/kWh)

Electricity Rate ($/kWh)

DC Fast Charger Session Rate ($/kWh or flat $/min — enter $/kWh)

Energy needed (into battery):
E_battery = Battery Capacity (kWh) × (Target SOC% − Current SOC%) / 100

Grid energy drawn:
E_grid = E_battery / η_charger
where η = 0.85 (L1), 0.88 (L2), 0.92 (DCFC)

Charge time:
T (hours) = E_grid / P_charger
where P = 1.4 kW (L1), 7.2 kW (L2), 50 kW (DCFC)

Session cost:
Cost = E_grid × Rate ($/kWh)

Range added:
Range (miles) = E_battery × Vehicle Efficiency (miles/kWh)

Cost per mile:
CPM = Session Cost / Range Added

Level 1 charger: 120V AC, 12A circuit → 1.4 kW output (SAE J1772).
Level 2 charger: 240V AC, 30A circuit → 7.2 kW output (SAE J1772); home units range 3.3–19.2 kW.
DC Fast Charger: 50 kW used as a common public baseline; CHAdeMO / CCS units range 24–350 kW.
Charger efficiency losses (heat, conversion): L1 ≈ 85%, L2 ≈ 88%, DCFC ≈ 92% (U.S. DOE AFDC).
DCFC is limited to ~80% SOC by most BMS systems to protect battery health; results above 80% target with DCFC may underestimate actual time.
Vehicle efficiency varies by speed, temperature, and driving style; EPA-rated values recommended.
Electricity rates vary by utility, time-of-use tariff, and region (U.S. average ≈ $0.13/kWh, EIA 2024).
DCFC network pricing varies: some charge per kWh, others per minute; enter equivalent $/kWh for comparison.
References: U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), SAE J1772, EIA Electric Power Monthly.

In the network