Which EV Charging Station Should I Install: Level 1, or 2?
So you’ve made up your mind to install a home charging station for your electric vehicle. Good move! EV drivers appreciate the convenience of having a charging station close at hand. Now you need to decide which level is best for you.
What’s the difference between Level 1, 2, and 3 EV charging stations? Let’s look at each charge level and compare.
Level 1 EV Charging Stations
PROS
Cost. A Level 1 charger is the least expensive way to charge an EV and typically included free with your EV purchase.
Simple to set up. No installation is required. Simply plug it into a standard 120-volt electrical outlet. However, you may have the expense of adding an outlet in a convenient location.
Flexible. This charging station is conveniently portable — you can even take it along with you in the trunk of your car.
CONS
Slow. One hour of charge time yields only around 4-8 miles. Fully charging your electric car will take approximately 20 hours.
Level 2 EV Charging Stations
PROS
Speed. A Level 2 charger works about twice as fast as a Level 1. Very popular for residential use. One hour of charging time provides 10-30 miles. A full charge will take about 6-8 hours.
CONS
Cost. This level is more expensive to buy than Level 1.
Installation. You need to have a 14-50R receptacle installed for Level 2 charging. Then you can choose to either plug a corded charger into the receptacle or have your charger hardwired in place.
Electrical requirements. Your Level 2 charging station will require its own dedicated 240 volt 50 amp electrical circuit. You might need to upgrade your electrical panel to accommodate the charging station, especially if you’ll be running it at the same time as other appliances that also draw a lot of electric power.
Residential Installation
Suburban Chicagoland Electric offers an easy EV charger installation process for home use:
Obtain an on-site quote. Just book an appointment online or by phone. We’ll come to your home at the appointed time, inspect the installation site, and provide a firm quote.
Confirm the device location. We will confirm the exact location where you want the charger installed and ensure the electrical supply.
Select the charger type. We’ll check with you which type of charger to install — Level 1 or 2 — and which make of EV you’ll be charging. We will also ask whether you want the charger to be corded or hardwired.
When to Hire a Pro for Your EV Charging Station
Stay safe! Hire a licensed electrician from Suburban Chicagoland Electric when you need to:
Add an electrical outlet or dedicated circuit to accommodate your EV charging station
Hardwire your Level 2 charger
Upgrade your electrical panel
Install an EV charger surge protector
Suburban Chicagoland Electric Installs EV Charging Stations
Our professional charging station installers are experienced, efficient, and helpful. We’ll answer all your questions about charger installation, and provide you with a fully-itemized, no-obligation quote.