Slow chargers are those typically installed at home, providing between 3-6kW of charge via one of four charging connector types: 3-Pin 3kW AC, Type 1 3-6kW AC, Type 2 3-6kW AC and Commando 3-6kW AC. These units feature either tethered or untethered cables and are often used to charge a vehicle overnight. This is due to the installed units taking between 6-12 hours to fully charge a battery.
Typically providing between 7-22kW, fast chargers can be found in locations ranging from supermarkets to car parks. The majority of fast chargers are untethered - and are compatible with Type 1 7kW AC, Type 2 7-22kW AC and Commando 7-22kW AC cables - but those which are may only be suitable for selected vehicles. The 7kW chargers can take anywhere from 4-6 hours, while 22kW chargers can achieve the same in 1-2 hours.
As the fastest way to charge an electric vehicle, rapid and ultra-rapid chargers will most commonly be found at petrol and service stations, enabling you to achieve a charge to 80% in as little as 10-15 minutes. These rapid devices are all equipped with tethered charging cables, meaning they will only connect to those vehicles with rapid-charge capability. In order to be compatible, your vehicle should be able to connect using one of the following: CHAdeMO 25-100kW DC, CCS 50-350kW DC or Type 2 43kW AC.
Tesla vehicles operate on two different networks known as Destination and Supercharger, with the former found at locations such as hotels and Superchargers at service stations. Destination chargers provide either 11 or 22kW of power via Type 2 connectors. Supercharger options, meanwhile, use either Tesla Type 2 DC or Tesla CCS connectors and charge at a rate up to 150kW.