Canary Media’s Electrified Life column shares real-world tales, tips, and insights to demystify what individuals can do to shift their homes and lives to clean electric power.
When Ryan Saffarini got his first electric car in 2021, he hit a speed bump of sorts: His Tesla arrived before the EV charger did.
“I ended up understanding why people have range anxiety,” he recounted to Canary Media. For two weeks, the chief technology officer at Sun Valley Solar Solutions, a solar energy contractor and EV-charger installer based in Chandler, Arizona, had to drive about 20 miles to a Tesla Supercharger station to refuel.
“Learn from my mistakes,” he says. “Make sure that you have a charger — or a place to charge — so you don’t have to go through that.”
Swapping your gas vehicle for an EV is one of the best things you can do to lower your emissions. Of course, it depends on how much you drive, but according to a 2024 analysis, the average CO2 pollution savings per year of switching to an EV was double that of getting an electric heat pump.
And unlike with internal-combustion vehicles, drivers can refuel their EVs at home. Not only is that convenient but it can save owners $800 to $1,000 a year compared to filling a tank with gas.
But which home charging setup is best for you depends on many factors, from your electrical service to utility reward programs. Here’s what to consider before you say goodbye to the gas station for good.
What level of EV charger is right for you?
Different types of EV chargers supply different amounts of power. Level 1 chargers — which resemble big laptop power cords — deliver about 1 to 3 kilowatts of juice and plug into a typical 120-volt outlet. They provide a trickle of about 3 to 6 miles of charge per hour, depending on the vehicle.
Level 2 chargers, which can plug into the wall or be hardwired in, are capable of about 6 to 19 kilowatts. They require a beefy 240-volt outlet — the kind you might plug a water heater or clothes dryer into. With this torrent of power, Level 2 devices can recharge an EV battery “10 to 20 times faster” than a Level 1 charger can, Saffarini says.
But level 2 EV chargers amount to hefty electrical loads. Some home electrical panels may not be able to handle them without upgrades.
Level 3 or direct-current (DC) fast chargers are even more powerful; they can supply more than 100 miles in half an hour but require a 480-volt connection, so this level isn’t for home use.
When you buy or lease an EV, a Level 1 charging cord often comes as part of the deal. You may not need to invest in more than that. Americans drive an average of 42 miles a day — and trickle charging at home could charge a car up enough to go that far.
Alexia Melendez Martineau, senior policy manager at EV-advocacy nonprofit Plug In America, uses the charging cord set that came with her electric Ford Mustang Mach-E for home charging. “I spent zero dollars on it,” Martineau says. “It’s super convenient, has been 100% reliable, and I love it.”
Something of a chimera, Martineau’s charger is both Level 1 and Level 2, with attachments for either a 120-V or 240-volt outlet. It suits her lifestyle; she can do Level 1 charging at home and Level 2 charging at work or when visiting family members who have an accessible 240-volt outlet.
The takeaway: “Don’t buy more than you need,” Martineau advises.
Level 2 EV chargers: What to consider
Maybe you have more than a 20-mile commute, can’t charge at work, or plan to get a second EV. For whatever reason, if you’re set on getting a Level 2 charger, here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind:
• Is it safe and energy efficient? Look for chargers that are UL and Energy Star certified, Martineau says.
• What kind of charging port does your EV have? If you’re getting a Tesla, pick a charger with a compatible so-called NACS plug. Alternatively, your EV may sport a J1772 port. You could use an adapter to make the configuration work, but that’s inadvisable long-term, Saffarini says.
