Level 1: standard outlet
Every EV ships with a cord that plugs into a normal 120V household outlet. Expect roughly 3–5 miles of range per hour — fine if you drive under ~40 miles per day and can plug in every night. No installation cost, but slow for larger batteries or heavy commutes.
Level 2: 240V home charger
A dedicated 240V circuit (like an electric dryer) typically delivers 25–40+ miles per hour depending on amperage and what the car accepts. Most owners install a Level 2 wall unit (32–48A) once and forget about it.
Installation usually requires an electrician — budget $500–$2,000+ depending on panel distance and whether you need a panel upgrade. Utility rebates often offset part of the hardware cost.
What amperage do you need?
Check your vehicle's onboard AC charger limit (often 7.7 kW, 11 kW, or 19.2 kW). There's little benefit to installing a 48A charger if the car maxes out at 32A. For two-EV households, consider load-sharing chargers or a higher-capacity circuit.
Public and DC fast charging
Road trips rely on DC fast charging (50–350 kW). Home Level 2 covers daily driving; plan fast-charging stops on longer routes using your car's trip planner or apps like PlugShare. Our comparison table includes EPA range to help you gauge how often you'll need public charging — see longest-range EVs if road-trip range is a priority.