If you plan on buying your first EV, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with information about them. In particular, making sense of your charging options can be especially difficult. After all, you’ve likely spent a lifetime relying exclusively on gas stations to keep your vehicles rolling. With an EV, you can install a charger in your home to keep your vehicle topped up. But there is more than one home EV charging option you can choose. Broadly, your choices fall into two categories: Level 1 and Level 2 chargers. Here’s everything you need to know about each to make a wise decision.
What Is a Level 1 EV Charger?
A Level 1 EV charger is the most basic type of EV charger you can get. It lets you charge your vehicle by plugging it into a standard 120-volt, 15-amp household outlet. Most EV manufacturers include a Level 1 charging cable standard with every new car. Right now, Tesla is the only major EV maker that doesn’t. Some manufacturers refer to them as portable or emergency charging cables. The purpose is to give you a means to charge your new EV no matter where you go.
Most Level 1 EV chargers have a standard three-prong plug on one end, and an SAE J1772 plug on the other. The SAE J1772, also known as a J Plug, is the standard charging port found on most EVs. Again, the big exception is Tesla, which uses a proprietary port called an NACS SAE J3400. It’s important to note, though, that many North American EV manufacturers will switch to that standard in the coming years.
The Advantages of Level 1 EV Chargers
The most significant advantage of a Level 1 EV charger is that you can use it anywhere there’s an outlet. In the US, 120-volt, 15-amp outlets are ubiquitous. You’ll find them in every home, and virtually every outdoor outlet you see is one. Plus, a Level 1 charger is just a cable, so it’s totally portable. If you keep it in your vehicle’s trunk, you will always have a way to charge your EV anywhere you have permission. Level 1 chargers are also very safe, both for you and your EV. They don’t operate at high voltage, so they don’t strain your EV battery. They also pose no more risk of shock than any small household appliance or lamp.
The Disadvantages of Level 1 Chargers
The biggest disadvantage of Level 1 EV chargers is their slow charging speed. Most Level 1 chargers will only add a few miles of range to an EV every hour. At that rate, it can take over 24 hours to charge some EVs fully from a near-empty condition. If you use your EV for a daily commute, relying on a Level 1 EV charger can be difficult. It means you can only expect between 30 and 40 miles of added range after an eight-hour recharge. Unless you only use your EV for a short commute, you may get stuck using a public charger daily.
What Is a Level 2 EV Charger?
A Level 2 EV charger is the next step up in home EV charging. Level 2 chargers run on 240-volt circuits and require between 20- and 50-amp service. That typically means you need a dedicated circuit installed in your home to support one. It’s a bit like adding a new large appliance like a central AC or an electric oven.
Installing some Level 2 charger models by plugging them into an existing appliance outlet is possible. For example, if you had an outlet installed for an electric clothes dryer, it would likely be sufficient for a Level 2 charger. However, as it’s unlikely you’d have such a circuit in your garage or near your driveway, it’s an impractical solution. As a result, most Level 2 chargers get hardwired into their own dedicated circuit.
The Advantages of Level 2 EV Chargers
A Level 2 charger is the fastest home charger you can get for your EV. Their most significant advantage is that they can fully charge most EVs in about eight hours. That means owning one can all but eliminate any range anxiety you might feel about your new EV. Many Level 2 EV chargers also feature advanced functionality, making them more convenient. The features may include Wi-Fi connectivity and app-based controls. That allows you to monitor and control your EV’s charging progress from anywhere. Some models even let you set charging speed caps to control household electricity demand. That can be useful to restrict charging during high-cost hours if you have a time-of-use electricity plan.
The Disadvantages of Level 2 EV Chargers
One disadvantage of Level 2 chargers is that they’re not portable. You cannot, for example, take a Level 2 charger with you if you’re going on a road trip. Additionally, the power requirements of most Level 2 chargers can necessitate some changes to your home’s electrical system. As previously mentioned, you’ll need a dedicated circuit to power a Level 2 charger. That assumes that there’s room in your home’s electrical panel for a new circuit. It also assumes your home’s electrical service can accommodate another high-amperage device. If not, you may need a service and electrical panel upgrade to support a Level 2 charger.
It’s also worth pointing out that not every Level 2 charger is a good fit for every EV. There’s still no absolute charging cable standard, so you must check each charger’s compatibility with your EV. Plus, the Level 2 charger you install today may not work with the next EV you purchase. If you’re in a multi-EV household, you may need adapters to make everything work together.
Choosing Between the Two
Choosing between Level 1 and Level 2 chargers typically comes down to two factors. One is your charging needs. If you do only limited local driving with your EV, a Level 1 charger may suffice. And since most EVs come with one, you won’t need to spend any money. However, if you need faster charging to ensure your EV has adequate range each day, a Level 2 charger is a better fit. The other factor is your budget. Depending on the installation conditions and the charger you choose, it can cost $2,000 or more to install a Level 2 charger. While that’s usually not a deal-breaker for most EV owners, it’s still something to consider.
Local EV Charging Experts
If you decide that you want a Level 2 charger for your EV, Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric can help. Our team of local electrical services pros has extensive experience with EV chargers. We can recommend the right one for your Louisville, KY home and handle the entire installation and offer repair and maintenance for your EV charger. We’ve served homeowners in the area since 1940, so you won’t find anyone with a longer-standing reputation for quality service. We’re even a Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave, so we have your neighbors’ seal of approval. So, if you need an EV charger installed in Louisville, call Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric today!
