Considering a Level 2 EV charger? How to know if you need one

Let’s take a look at Level 2 chargers. These systems, which run on AC (alternating current) power and are available for residential or commercial use, should not be confused with DC (direct current) fast chargers. When plugged into your car with either a 5-pin J1772 or Tesla’s 5-pin NACS connector, the vehicle itself converts power from alternating to direct current. Level 2 chargers almost always work on a 240 volt circuit, not 120 volts like regular household power. They can output between 3.3kW and 11.5kW on residential systems, depending on your main amperage (more on that later). 

With the information about your EV’s maximum charging rate and usage in mind, along with your budget, you can decide if you need a Level 2 charger, and if so, which one. For most PHEVs, you can save yourself the money and just charge directly from household power. If your EV has a small battery or you use less than 15kWh per day (for a range of around 50 miles), you can also stick to a regular outlet and enjoy the benefits of overnight charging.

For anything beyond that, you should purchase a Level 2 charger. A 16-amp, 240 volt model will double your charging speeds to 3.5 kW, reducing charging times by half compared to regular household circuits. For more juice, a 32-amp, 240-volt charger boosts your charge rate to 7.4 kW, four times more than 120V AC power. That would allow you to fully charge your Tesla Model 3 at home in about 11 hours, or power up that GMC Sierra EV’s big 155 kW battery in 22 hours. 

Finally, you could go for a 48-amp system that supplies up to 11.5 kWh. Before doing that, though, make sure your EV supports such a high rate. Remember, the Nissan Ariya and some other EVs only support up to 7.4kW charging speeds. 

One overlooked benefit of Level 2 chargers is safety. Typical household EV chargers offer limited protection, so they may be unsafe if your house has any miswiring. Dedicated chargers offer extra layers of protection, like grounding (pen fault) and DC leakage protection. Many models also offer the ability to monitor overall energy usage to ensure they’re not consuming more power than your home circuits can handle.