What voltage is a smart charge?
There isn’t a single voltage for smart charging; it depends on the device and charging standard. In practice, USB-C smart chargers commonly negotiate 5–20V for consumer electronics, while electric-vehicle smart charging uses much higher voltages—about 240V AC for Level 2 charging or 400–1000V DC for fast charging.
To understand how this works, we examine the main contexts in which “smart charging” is used, the voltage ranges involved, and how to verify the correct voltage for your charger.
Voltage ranges by context
Smart chargers adapt their output to the needs of the device. The two most common contexts are consumer electronics (USB-C Power Delivery) and electric vehicles (EV charging stations).
- USB-C Power Delivery (PD) supports negotiable voltages of 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V, enabling higher power delivery (up to about 100W) for devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
- Household mains and adapters: The charger often runs off the local mains voltage (typically around 120V in North America or 230V in many other regions). The charger converts that input to the appropriate DC voltage for the device, using the negotiated PD profile or other charging standards.
These ranges illustrate that smart charging Output voltage is not fixed; it adapts to the device and regional electrical infrastructure.
EV charging voltages and modes
Electric vehicles rely on higher-voltage systems and different charging modes. The voltage level depends on whether the vehicle is charging over AC or DC and on the vehicle’s battery architecture.
- Level 2 AC charging: Uses standard mains voltage (about 240V AC in much of North America; 230V AC in Europe and many other regions). Chargers deliver varying power levels, commonly up to 7–19 kW, depending on circuit capacity and vehicle compatibility.
- DC fast charging (DCFC): Delivers high-voltage DC to the vehicle, typically in the 400–1000V range. Common configurations include 400V and 800V systems, with actual voltage negotiated between charger and vehicle based on compatibility and grid conditions.
In EV contexts, smart charging is less about a single fixed voltage and more about dynamically negotiating and delivering the appropriate high-voltage output to maximize charging speed while protecting the vehicle battery and the grid.
How to identify the voltage of your charger
For USB-C / USB Power Delivery devices
Check the charger or device label and the user manual for the list of supported PD voltages (5V, 9V, 15V, 20V) and the maximum wattage. The actual voltage is negotiated between charger and device during connection.
For EV charging equipment
Consult the charger and vehicle documentation or the charger’s label to see the available output voltages (e.g., 400V or 800V DC for DCFC, and the AC input voltage for Level 2). The vehicle’s onboard charger and the charging station will negotiate the safest and fastest compatible rate.
Summary
Smart charging does not have a single answer to “what voltage.” It depends on the use case: consumer electronics typically use 5–20V via USB PD, while EV charging uses higher voltages—around 240V AC for Level 2 and 400–1000V DC for fast charging. Always verify the voltage from the charger or vehicle documentation to ensure safe and optimal charging.
