Level 3 chargers are capable of charging EV batteries to 80% capacity in 20 minutes on most vehicles. Stylish, efficient and convenient, they work with any EV, operate in a variety of conditions, and connect via a robust network with an easy-to-use interface. By all accounts, Level 3 charging (or fast charging) is not only an important link in the chain as society transitions from fossil fuels to electric vehicles, it is also a key link in achieving the goal of mass EV adoption.

Here are six key reasons why we think fast charging is a key piece of the technological puzzle of the age.

1) Not all drivers can charge at home

Installing a Level 1 or Level 2 charger in a single-family home is easy and allows EV owners to power up overnight. But what about renters who live in hotels, townhouses, multi-unit dwellings and other properties that don't have chargers installed? If the owner rejects the idea, they usually have no recourse. Also, what if work isn't an option either? Fast chargers installed in public places offer a practical solution for many drivers, who can fully charge their electric vehicles in the time it takes to eat lunch or buy groceries during the week.

2) Expand the scope in less time

Imagine you're on vacation with your family, traversing the vast open arteries of the U.S. highway system. While your EV is charging, you stop and take a bite. You want to be back on the road in 30 minutes and drive at least another 200 miles before the next charge. Only fast chargers, like those EVCS installs along the West Coast Electric Highway, can provide the kind of range long-distance travelers want in a limited time window. Americans are used to getting what they want quickly and easily, which is why limited dwell times must be aligned with applicable charging solutions.

3) One charger can serve more drivers

As electric vehicles become more commonplace, the usefulness of slower Level 2 chargers in public places has plummeted. More EVs on the road mean chargers need to service each vehicle faster to avoid long queues and wait times. Current charging capacity means that each charger can service an average of three to five cars per hour, but as infrastructure develops over the next decade, higher kWh networks should be able to increase that number to seven times.

4) It incentivizes more EV participation

According to a poll conducted by Geotab, one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption is that EVs require "significantly longer charging times compared to fuel pump refill times for combustion engine vehicles" and "[limited] public availability of charging. station.” However, as companies such as EVCS install more fast chargers, such concerns will fade away and more proponents will turn to electric vehicles.

5) It's a financial win for the business

The transition to electric vehicles is accelerating with fast chargers that can be installed in places that many gas stations cannot. In fact, almost any business property can host them. "Electric vehicle chargers can be installed almost anywhere it's connected to the grid," says Vox writer Rebecca Heilweil in her article "The Death of the Gas Station." Retailers will find that Tier 3 infrastructure improves their bottom line and adds new revenue streams as they share in the profits generated by the chargers. Companies with fleets will find it more cost-effective to refuel large numbers of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

6) It will ultimately drive innovation

While some critics have expressed concern that DCFCs can drain overall battery life, more resilient batteries with higher energy densities are already being developed to handle the increase in Level 3 charging. In addition, fast charging is driving other developments in electric vehicles, such as higher energy conversion efficiency, two-way V2G technology, and more powerful cloud-based networks. Over time, these technological advancements will significantly reduce costs across the electric vehicle industry.