A Level 2 home charger is the practical way to charge an electric vehicle overnight in a garage or driveway. Level 2 chargers run on 240 volts, the same type of power many homes use for electric ranges and dryers, so they add range much faster than the standard cord that came with your car. Choosing one comes down to a handful of decisions: which connector your car uses, whether to plug in or hardwire, how many amps you need, how long the cable should be, which warranty to buy, and how ordering works. This guide covers each one in order.
Start with the connector
The connector is the plug that fits into your car's charge port. It determines which chargers you can use, so check it before anything else.
- J1772 is the standard AC connector for most non-Tesla electric vehicles in North America.
- NACS (SAE J3400) is the connector Tesla uses, and many other automakers have announced a move to it.
Adapters exist that let a car use the other connector, but an adapter is one more part to keep track of. Most owners are better served by a charger that matches the port on their car. If you are unsure which port you have, your owner's manual or the manufacturer's published specifications will name the connector.
Plug-in or hardwired
A plug-in charger ends in a NEMA 14-50 plug, which fits a 240V, 50A outlet. A hardwired charger is connected directly to a dedicated circuit in the home. The choice affects flexibility and the maximum power you can use:
- Plug-in units are easier to take with you if you move, but the plug-in models are rated at 40A, which is 9.6 kW.
- Hardwired units can run at 48A, which is 11.5 kW, and they stay where they are installed.
Hardwired installation is work for a licensed electrician. Local permits and inspection may apply, so check with your local building department before scheduling anything. The guide on plug-in or hardwired EV chargers goes deeper on this decision.
Amps, kilowatts, and charging time
Charging power is voltage multiplied by current. On a 240V circuit, 40A delivers 9.6 kW and 48A delivers 11.5 kW. Two terms are easy to confuse:
- Kilowatts (kW) measure how fast a charger delivers energy.
- Kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure how much energy a battery holds.
A rough estimate of charging time is battery kWh divided by charger kW, before losses. For example, a 75 kWh battery at 9.6 kW takes roughly 8 hours to fill from empty. At 11.5 kW, the same battery takes roughly 6.5 hours. Your car's onboard charger can limit AC charging speed below what the charger can supply, so the car's own specifications set the real ceiling.
Circuit size and the 80% rule
For a continuous load, such as a charger that runs for several hours, electrical practice generally allows the load to use at most 80% of the breaker rating. That rule sets the circuit size:
- A 40A charger needs a 50A circuit.
- A 48A charger needs a 60A circuit, and it must be hardwired.
An electrician can confirm the breaker size and whether your electrical panel has room for a new circuit. Do not swap breakers or add wiring yourself.
Cable length
Every charger in the EVIQO lineup has a 25 ft cable. Before you order, measure the distance from the spot where the charger would mount to the place where your car usually parks, and note which side the charge port is on. If the car is sometimes parked in a different spot, plan for the farthest one you use. A cable that is too short means moving the car every time you charge, which defeats the purpose of having a home charger.
Warranty
All five chargers include a 3-year warranty. A 4-year extended warranty is available for an additional charge. Decide before you order whether that extra year is worth the cost to you, and confirm the warranty details with the manager who handles your order.
How ordering works
EVIQO does not take payment online. To order, you send a request with your name and phone number. A manager then confirms delivery, warranty, and payment with you. Having your parking spot measured, your connector identified, and your circuit questions answered before you send the request will make that conversation shorter.
Matching the charger to how you drive
The right charger depends less on the brochure and more on your daily routine. Start with how far you usually drive in a day. Then check how many hours your car sits parked at home between trips, because that window sets how much charge you need to add. If you usually return home with a mostly full battery, a slower charger may be enough. If you often arrive with a low battery, or you share the car with someone who drives more, a faster charger gives you more margin.
It helps to work backward from the numbers. Suppose your car has a 75 kWh battery and you want to fill it from empty in about 8 hours overnight. At 9.6 kW, that works out to roughly 8 hours, which is right at the limit. At 11.5 kW, the same battery needs roughly 6.5 hours, which leaves some room for a late start or a longer drive. These are round-number estimates before losses, but they show why the power level matters.
Questions to answer before you choose
- Which connector does your car's charge port use, J1772 or NACS?
- Do you already have a NEMA 14-50 outlet on a 50A circuit that is in good condition?
- How many hours do you have to charge each night, and how much range do you need per hour?
- Do you expect to move within the next few years, and would you want to take the charger with you?
- Does your electrical panel have room for a new 50A or 60A circuit? An electrician can answer this.
Comparing the five EVIQO chargers
The table below lists all five chargers. Each one has a 25 ft cable and a 3-year warranty, with a 4-year extended warranty available for an additional charge. The range figures are the approximate miles of range added per hour of charging, as the product descriptions state them.
| Charger | Connector | Power | Installation | Price | Range added per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40A plug-in or 48A hardwired (one model) | J1772 | 9.6 kW plug-in or 11.5 kW hardwired | Plug-in or hardwired | $299.00 | About 38 miles at 40A, about 46 miles at 48A |
| 48A hardwired | J1772 | 11.5 kW | Hardwired | $450.99 | About 46 miles |
| 40A NEMA 14-50 plug-in | J1772 | 9.6 kW | Plug-in | $450.99 | About 38 miles |
| 48A hardwired | NACS | 11.5 kW | Hardwired | $480.99 | About 46 miles |
| 40A NEMA 14-50 plug-in | NACS | 9.6 kW | Plug-in | $480.99 | About 38 miles |