So you got a new EV car and need a charger installed at your house. But what is the difference between Level 1 EV charger vs level 2 EV chargers? How do you know what to buy and what will be the best investment long-term.
What is a Level 1 EV charger?
Level 1 EV charger is pretty much a regular old plug in the wall. Anything that is a level 1 charger has a maximum Tower of 20 amps 120 V.
Level 1 EV Chargers are typically what will come with EV vehicle when you purchase it from the dealer. Unless you buy a plug-in hybrid this is really just a temporary solution.
Time to charge 160km range: 17-25 hours
What is a Level 2 EV charger?
A level 2 EV charger is most commonly installed permanent charger in homes. If you have a EV vehicle, and even a plug-in hybrid this is the charger to install. And if you’re considering future proofing your home at the same time, a level 2 EV charger well add resale value to your home especially with people who already have an EV car.
Level 2 EV Chargers are a dedicated circuit and can be up to 80 amps 240 V. This is a significant power output improvement over a level 1 charger.
All level 2 EV Chargers come with the necessary charging plug in to fit into the EV vehicle you purchase. They also get securely and permanently mounted into a convenient location in your home for every day charging.
Time to charge 160km range: 4-5 hours.
Check out one of the best level 2 EV Chargers here.
How long does it take to charge my car with each EV Charger?
Level 1 Charger (160 km charge time) – 17-25 hours
Level 2 Charger (160 km charge time) – 4-5 hours
What are the pros and cons of a Level 1 charger vs a Level 2 charger?
Level 1
Pros
- Affordable, most come with the car.
Cons
- Charging “dongle” can break.
- May not need to get electrical installed in your home, receptacle in garage already.
- Super slow charge times
- Not sufficient for a fully electric vehicle
Level 2
Pros
- Fast charging
- Keeps up with daily driving electric vehicles
- Adds value to your home
- Additional chargers can be added easily
- Great rebates available
- Sturdy and permanent installation makes for easy daily charging and cord maintenance
Cons
- Expensive installation
- A service upgrade my be required
Will a Level 1 charge my car in time?
Charge time is a very important consideration to make when purchasing an electric vehicle. If you plan to purchase a plug-in hybrid a level 1 EV charger can be sufficient. Because it’s just a regular old plug-in it’s not necessarily adding value to your home but it will charge your vehicle in time. If you’re purchasing a fully electric vehicle it’s very likely a level 1 charger will not be able to keep up with your driving and you’ll be in a deficit meaning you’ll have to go somewhere else to charge your car properly to catch up.
Is installing an EV charger an investment?
Yes, installing an EV charger into your home is an investment and you will likely get that money back when you sell your home. Electric vehicles are growing in popularity and the curve is on an upward trend. Over time more and more people are going to be getting electric vehicles and looking to purchase homes that have charging capabilities.
There is no doubt that future homeowners will be considering charging capabilities of every home they are looking to purchase. If your home already has an EV charger installed this may make the difference between a home sale or not. A home with an already installed EV charger will have more value to most buyers than one that requires upgrades.
See more about EV car chargers and installations
See if your electrical panel fit an ev charger by reading our article here.
