Is A Level 2 EV Charger the Best Choice for Your Home?

The first choice for charging for new EV owners is often a basic electric car charger, usually referred to as a Level 1 charger (or a ‘slow charger’) that comes with the vehicle and plugs into a standard 120V wall outlet. 

It’ll work, but it’s slow. Slow like “filling a swimming pool with a garden hose” slow. 

Since we drive our cars frequently in Canada, slow charging isn’t always convenient. If you don’t have hours to wait for your vehicle to charge, there is another option.

We will outline how the value of a professionally installed Level 2 EV charger is an investment that enhances your lifestyle, saves you money and time, and prepares your home for the future.

What is The Difference?

• Level 1 EV Charger: 

The charger is the basic charging cable that connects to a standard 120-volt (V) household outlet. It provides a slow, trickle charge, typically adding only 6-8 km of range per hour. It’s inexpensive because no special EV charger installation is needed.

• Level 2 EV Charger: 

This unit is hardwired into a dedicated EV charging circuit with an EV-rated receptacle. It offers a much faster charge, usually adding 30-50 km of range per hour. Installing this requires a professional electrician because a dedicated, higher-voltage circuit is necessary.

A Level 2 charger is your assurance that your EV will charge faster and more fully, enabling you to travel further the next time you drive. 

5 Reasons to Choose a Level 2 EV Charger for Home

There are several additional benefits to a Level 2 charger.

1. Banish “Range Anxiety” For Good

“Range anxiety” is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “the fear that an electric vehicle will not have enough battery charge to take you where you want to go.” 

If you drive the standard 20,000 km/year (approximately 55 km/ day), as many Canadians do, a Level 1 charger simply won’t meet your needs.

The math is pretty simple. If you drive 80 km and your Level 1 EV charger adds just under 5 km per hour, you’d need over 16 hours just to cover that one day’s driving. There are not enough hours in a day to charge to the level you need for even your average daily needs. The numbers get even worse in winter with less than ‘optimal’ temperatures!

By comparison, the Level 2 car charger can recharge those 80 km in as little as 1-3 hours. You can plug in when you get home and be fully charged by morning, every single day. 

A Level 2 home charger for EVs gives you back both peace of mind and time. 

2. Energy Efficiency = Lower Costs 

A Level 2 charger can save you money on your electricity bill over time. 

Level 1 charging generates a significant amount of heat lost to the air during the prolonged charging process.  While both types of chargers use electricity, a Level 2 charger allows for a higher percentage of the electricity you pay for to be used to charge your battery. 

The faster you charge, the less time your car’s internal battery management system (like cooling fans and computers) has to run, which further reduces wasted energy. 

Over years of use, this increased efficiency really adds up!

3. The Importance of Hiring a Specialized EV Charger Installer 

A company like Zeus has the specific training and knowledge about code requirements, tech advances, model changes and load management options for charging your EV. Our trained electricians can ensure safety in three ways:

• Dedicated Circuit Install: 

A certified electrician will install a dedicated 240V circuit for your new unit. These types of circuits are designed to safely handle the high electrical load, protecting your home’s wiring.

• Code Compliance: 

Professional electric vehicle charger installation ensures your setup meets all local electrical and fire regulations. A properly installed home electric car charger guarantees higher safety standards than a basic charger, often including surge protection and enhanced weatherproofing if installed outdoors.

• Reduced Fire and Shock Risk: 

Level 1 chargers plugged into older, shared 120V circuits can overheat the wiring or the outlet, posing a significant fire risk. The blades are long and hold a high risk of shock to anyone or anything that touches the wrong place when the EV is charging.  

A dedicated circuit for a CSA-Approved Level 2 unit significantly reduces risks for you and your family.

4. Bonus “Smart Charging” Features

Many modern Level 2 EV chargers feature ‘smart’ capabilities that a basic charger simply can’t provide. These features greatly enhance their value.

• Schedule Charging: Smart EV chargers connect to Wi-Fi and enable you to use an app to plan charging during ‘off-peak’ hours, when electricity rates are lowest. Charging your EV at midnight instead of 6 PM can save you a substantial amount each month.
• Usage Monitoring: You can see exactly how much energy is used to charge your vehicle, helping you understand your costs and energy consumption habits (and adjust if the budget requires it).
• Utility Incentives: In many regions, only smart Level 2 units qualify for utility company rebates, tax credits, or ‘Time of Use’ (TOU) programs, which can reduce the initial cost of installing your EV charger. (A trusted installer like Zeus will have all the relevant details on current credits, rebates and incentives.)

5. Additional Considerations for Installing a Level 2 Charger

• Future Buyer (or Renter) Appeal:

 As EV ownership increases, a Level 2 home charger for EVs will become a standard expected feature. When selling or renting your house, having a ready-to-use charging station is a key selling point that attracts people who already own EVs.

• Planning for Dual-Car Households:

 If you purchase a second EV later on (or have a visitor with one), installing a Level 2 EV charger with a maximum circuit size in your home can often be part of a system that manages charging for two vehicles simultaneously, a feature that a Level 1 charger cannot provide.

• Better Battery Health: 

While modern EVs handle charging efficiently, some sources suggest that the slow, extended charge cycles of Level 1 units may be slightly less ideal for long-term battery health compared to the more efficient process of a Level 2 EV charger, which strikes a sweet spot for energy use, cost, and battery care. 

What Does Installing a Level 2 Charger Look Like?

PSA: Please don’t try to save money by doing it yourself. High-voltage electricity is not a project for DIY enthusiasts. 

Getting a professional (like us!) to install a charging station for electric cars is pretty straightforward. 

Step 1: Consultation

Contact a qualified electrician to install an EV charger in your area. They will assess your home’s electrical panel.

Step 2: Electrical Capacity Check for EV Readiness

The electrician will determine if your existing electrical panel has the capacity for the new dedicated 240V circuit for your Level 2 charger. If not, they’ll recommend a simple upgrade or a load management device to balance the electricity use safely. A professional will have no trouble showing and explaining these details to you.

We’ll repeat ourselves again: 

DO NOT DIY ANYTHING ELECTRICAL. EVER.

Tinkering in your panel can lead to a shorter panel lifespan and underground cable failures/faults. If an insurance provider can prove you didn’t have a permit, there will be no insurance coverage for any situation that arises. 

The potential financial and safety risk of  attempting to do it yourself far exceeds any invoice you would receive from a Level 2 EV charger installer.

Step 3: Installation

The electrician runs the dedicated wiring from the panel to your preferred charging location (such as a garage or driveway), mounts the Level 2 EV charger for your home, connects everything, and ensures it meets all relevant codes and regulations.

Step 4: Inspection

When finished, the work will need an inspection by the local authority to ensure safety and compliance (which won’t be a problem when you call a professional with great reviews.)

A Level 2 Charger is a Fantastic Investment

The Level 1 charger that comes with your car will work decently as a backup for emergencies or travel. 

Still, it’s not a practical or sustainable option for everyday use for Canadians who drive even the standard amount of kilometres per year. 

If you invest in an EV, installing a professionally installed Level 2 charger will provide peace of mind, extend battery life, and – yes — offer faster charging times.

Ready to Upgrade Your Charging Experience?

Are you ready to stop messing with slow chargers and start enjoying the full benefits of owning an EV with a Level 2 charger? 

Reach out to Zeus today!